I once spent a glorious day among the ancient oaks of Derrycunnaghy, in
County Kerry. It had all things dear to me; trees, water, and creatures.
The conversation in this song actually took place. As a disclaimer, I know
he was a caterpillar, NOT a silk worm, but I promised my little friend not
to use his real name. Ok the real reason is that caterpillar is very hard
to work with poetically... so all you scientists out there, its just poetic
license not a statement of fact.
Silkworm: the little slip jig took the same alias, because the caterpillar
still wants to remain anonymous.
This day I took all my desires
To Derrycunnaghy
To linger in the lush pure love
That’s present in the trees
I lay beside the murmuring stream
And closed my eyes to hear
The vivid conversations
Of this bless-ed place so fair
When nothing but my breathing
Was given as a prayer
I slowly opened up my eyes
And what was dangling there
A silk worm floating on the breeze
Adrift from branches high
I greeted him with fondness
And asked him by and by
“How is your day you gentle one?
And how, came you by here?”
He twisted round and floated down
Nearer to my ear
He said “This day I’m flying,
Amid the scented air…
I’m flying free, and sad to see
You, heavy, sitting there!”
“Dear creature I must tell you
That you are not so free!
For the finest strand of silken thread
Keeps you tethered to this tree!
Your heart it may be dancing
And your spirit it may soar,
But you my friend are fastened tight
To this earth and so much more!”
The sadness in his countenance
I was ashamed to see
For I had brought this news to one
Who had thought himself so free
When of his plight he was aware
His thoughts did turn to me
And rising high upon the wind
He began to speak
“I may be but a dreamer here
Caught on silk and breeze
But I will not look back upon
A life I did not seize
You came here as the lumbering one
Upon the forest floor
But the fear of flying and of death
Will bind you even more”
My plans and schemes have kept me bound
And I thought I knew the way
But when they ask me “Did you fly?”
What will I have to say?
And so I was the heavy one
As I took myself away
But silkworm’s flight has left its mark
On all my weighted days
Kim: accordion, vocal, hand drum
Ken: bouzouki, vocal