James Reid
Elder Lyrics

Elder, elder
Watched a bird tend its nest
Its coming and going put my mind at rest
And it told me to go outside
That this was the time this time was right

Cherry blossom, rowan flower too
Hawthorn buds and deadnettle in bloom
And so green green
Dark green were the leaves of Elder too

And roots, roots
Let me lie above your roots
Green shoots, shoots
Let me eat your spring shoots
That cleanse the cold from my blood
Like the leaves through the air above me

Elder, elder

Last night I had a dream I burnt your branches down
I cut your fingers and I burnt your crown
And someone made a whistle and someone made a pipe
And someone hollowed you through to blow our fire alive
And so green, green
Dark green were the leaves of elder you

And roots, roots
Let me play beneath your roots
Green shoots, shoots
Let me eat your spring shoots
That cleans the cold in my veins
And like the sun it lengthens my days
Elder, elder