" Tidings "

"Tidings" is an old English word meaning information or news, for example: "What tidings from our cousins in the north?"

Because of its resemblance to the word "tide" (marée), it also recalls the waves upon the shore and whatever they bring with them, such as an unexpected card from an old friend, the subject of this poem.




"Those kids look blue
Like we were
But not as cold
As where you are, I’d bet

A letter will be
Coming soon
With all
I have to tell

But if I had
The magic I'd
Be next to you snap
Snap, too true

So when the night time falls
And the shadows creep
Keep your candles dancing
And your campfire warm

Don't wish away the mirages
That flick around the flames
Nor flinch beneath your demons
Or you'll not sleep sound tonight

Take care my distant darling
More distant than the sky
For where you are I long to be
And where I am I cry"


2018 Charles Murray

Thanks for that beautiful poem Charles. When I am listening to your song I feel I am walking by the sea, thinking of a dear friend who would be on the other side of the water. It is true that in that case the sea is more distant than the sky and the wave sound very melancholic. A post card could soften the sadness of course,but as you have written " Where you are, I long to be and where I am I cry"
Fortunately the candles and the the campfire are there in the middle of the night but is it enough to soften the pain ?

Thanks Muriel, glad you like it

Salut Charles,

Bravo pour ta chanson. Puis-je me permettre quelques remarques ? La première et non la moindre : tu devrais faire aussi des chansons en Français, pourquoi te limiter à l'anglais ? La deuxième pour les "mal entendants" comme moi (les petits vieux quoi !) l'équilibre entre la musique et les paroles ne me paraît (à moi) pas satisfaisant : musique un peu forte par rapport aux paroles, à mon avis une musique plus en sourdine permettrait de mettre mieux en relief le texte. Surtout ceci n'est qu'un "retour d'expérience" vois ou écoute l'ensemble des retours avant de changer quoique que ce soit. Au plaisir de se voir et d'en discuter. Cordialement Patrick

Merci Patrick, pour tes commentaires. Ton retour m'est très précieux !

A remastered version of this track is now here :

Charles, I loved listening again to that poem which expresses so well how hard is the absence of the loved one. Night and cold have replaced the heat of love 
It is true that if you keep the candles dancing and the campfire warm, it will soften the sorrow but
the magic of the letter that will soon arrive will very quickly die out and the pain will come back.  
"Take care my distant darling"
"Where you are I long to be"
"Where I am I cry"