Alchemy by Dave Walmsley from Barrow-in-furness United Kingdom

alchemy parts 1 – 4 (12.23)
written, arranged & performed by dave walmsley (c) 2020 silent songs
a short cat production of a new age/heavy folk recording
recorded in the musical box

intro/pt 1: 0.00 to 4.06
pt 2: 4.06 to 7.18
pt 3: 7.18 to 9.49
pt 4: 9.49 to 12.23

this track will feature on my next solo cd, “the road not taken”...

this track is an example of a composition that started out as one thing but ended up as something entirely different. the original concept was to write a track about the ancient practice of alchemy ~ turning base metals into gold. i had all the different sections worked out: the elixir of immortality, nigredo (the blackening), albedo (the whitening), citrinitas (the yellowing) & rubedo (the reddening) and even made a start on the lyrics after completing the backing track. however, i started to wonder about the theme of the composition and decided, in the end, that it should be about change through the past, present & future as experienced during one's life. i retained some elements of the original idea in the intro and end sections. at some point i still wouldn't mind going back to my original alchemical concept and giving it a go! dw

intro:

earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...

part 1: earth ~ change
a look at the past and my “fractious relationship” with my late father...

in an endless sea of bitter memories...
it's only the sadness that keeps on running through...
was a little love and affection too much to ask?
in the mind of a child pain was the only truth...

i remember sitting on the stairs...
i remember tears and refusing to come down...
i remember always living in fear...
i remember how the hate kept spinning round and round...

change...is always in the air...
change...at the start of a brand new day...
change...is waiting round the corner...
change...is never far away...

so much frustrations filled the years...
now i'm older i can look back with a sigh...
for no matter how hard i tried...
i never dared look my father in the eye...

change...is always in the air...
change...at the start of a brand new day...
change...is waiting round the corner...
change...is never far away...

we all need change...

part 2: air ~ sanctuary
the present and the need to find peace...

when i'm tired...
my mind needs a place to go...
somewhere that will ease my pain...
let the waters flow...

in my dreams ~ there's a place where i run free...
in my dreams ~ sanctuary waits there for me...

holding my thoughts like a child in it's mother's arms...
holding my thoughts like a child in it's mother's arms...

when i look out the window
what do i see?
the reflection of a sad old man...
looking back at me...

in my dreams ~ there's a place where i run free...
in my dreams ~ sanctuary waits there for me...

holding my thoughts like a child in it's mother's arms...
holding my thoughts like a child in it's mother's arms...

there's nowhere to run nowhere to hide...
i can feel the pressure building up inside...
there's nowhere to run nowhere to hide...
i can feel the pressure building up inside...

part 3: fire ~ gold
hope for the future...

it's been a long journey...
so many twists and turns...
there's no point in looking back...
at anything we've learned...

so much water's flowed downstream...
and out to sea...
still i can't help thinking...
that we're where we're meant to be...

the clock is ticking all the while...
but finally i can see...
deep inside i've found the truth...
of what you mean to me...

the years they may've rolled on by
and i may be growing old...
but i still want to be here...
when love turns into gold...
when love turns into gold...
when love turns into gold...

part 4: water ~ elements
those things which bind us all together...

earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...
earth air fire water mind body & soul...

we all need change...