As the tide journeys upriver and the ocean comes to Dumfries, lend your voice to a unique one-day choir welcoming the water home.
Led by choir leader Kate Howard, the Tidal Choir gathers on 15 August as part of Nithraid, celebrating the meeting of river, sea and community through song. Set in the beauty of the riverside landscape, this is an opportunity to sing outdoors in harmony with the rhythm of the tide.
Whether you’re an experienced singer or have never sung in a choir before, everyone is welcome. You can learn the song parts in advance using the recordings here, or simply come along and join in on the day. Theres a rehearsal at 11am in the Nithraid Tent on Mill Green.
Come and be part of a fleeting chorus, created for a single tide, a single day, and a shared moment of music.
HARBOUR
Anna Tabbush
When you’ve crossed the story waters
Come walk ashore
Bring your sons and bring your daughters
Wander no more
Chorus
For our door is always open
And our hearth is always warm
When you need a place to shelter
We’re a harbour in the storm
There’ll be time for rest and sleeping
Come walk ashore
There’ll be space for peace and healing
Wander no more
For in days of lesser fortune
Come walk ashore
We may need a door to open
Wander no more
Full
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass
RIVERS RUN
(Karine Polwart 2008)
B: Rivers run, rivers run (x5)
T: Rivers flow and rivers run (x4)
A: Rivers run and rivers flow (x2) rivers run,
This weary Earth we walk upon
She will endure when we are gone While kingdoms come and kingdoms go Rivers run and rivers flow
(mintro)
You know I don’t believe it’s true
That in this world there’s nothing new
For darling you have just begun
Rivers flow and rivers run (oh)
And if the river should ever run dry Somewhere the rain will still fall,
Will still fall from the sky
(mintro)
When I’m beguiled by the fear That darker days are drawing near My darling, you seduce the sun Rivers flow and rivers run
And if the river should ever run dry Somewhere the rain will still fall, Will still fall from the sky
(mintro)
This wounded Earth we walk upon She will endure when we are gone. But still I pray that you may know How rivers run and rivers flow And if the river…
I cross my heart and hope to live Just long enough that I can give It all to you, my darling one Rivers flow and rivers run (mintro)
My darling one,
Rivers flow and rivers run
Full
Alto
Soprano
Tenor
Bass
CITIZENS SHANTY
Tune Trad – Words Boff Whalley
Well, we’ve come a long way for to find ourselves a home x 3
Cos we’re citizens of the world
Refrain – And you’re more than – more than welcome here x 3
Cos you’re citizens of the world
My mother and her mother and her mother before x 3
They were citizens of the world
Here’s a hand to help you all ashore x 3
Cos you’re citizens of the world
Well, our nations’ roots spread wide and down x3
Cos we’re citizens of the world
Well, we’ve come a long way for to find ourselves a home x 3
Cos we’re citizens of the world
I AM A RIVER
Nickomo
I am a river
Flowing to the ocean
I am a river
Passing through this land
Flow like a river flows
Flow like a river flows
Flow like a river
Passing through this land
STORM SONG
Alto
Soprano
Tenor
Bass
