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Poor Man's Mountains

from Borrowdale Johnny by Striding Edge

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about

'There's a path to take me higher to the edge above the mist, poor man's mountains with your charity blessed.'

Redemption in the mountains at last. What Johnny was seeking was waiting for him all along in his own backyard: And so the traveler returns to find his true fortune, in a series of memorable mountain moments:

Verse one:
Singing John Denver's 'Rocky Mountain High' at the top of his voice in a car, whilst rocketing along the lake shore of Thirlmere, after an evening climbing on the sun-kissed rocks of Borrowdale

This was inspired by a chat with Lakeland climber Dave Birkett. Currently the finest traditional climber in Britain, Dave is legendary in his own lifetime for his extreme grade nine first-ascents on the Lakeland rock faces, and his equally hair-raising ventures rescuing sheep from local crags. All can be seen on the award-winning documentary Set In Stone.

Verse two:
High aloft on a stunning new climb on Eagle Crag, Buttermere. In the midst of a world war, finding a profound oasis of solace and peace.

This is a snapshot in the life of 1940's West Cumbrian rock climber, miner and artist Bill Peascod. Bill was an inspirational figure from his generation, cracking bloke and powerhouse climber, and his biography Journey After Dawn is a rattling good read.

lyrics

Poor Man's Mountains
 
Storming up the rock face
Braced against the sky
Behold the Lakeland brothers
Close as a man could get to fly
Driving home on nightfall
Forests hurtle by
Roar along with Denver crooning
'The Rocky Mountain High'
 
Four walls can't contain this feeling
Flooding my veins
Release is only with the mountain
In morning sun or rain
And no one holds my soul to ransom
No chain can bind me
While the mountain is anarchic and free
 
There's a path to take me higher
To the edge above the mist
Poor man's mountains
With your charity blessed
Never was too much to wish for
Stepping up and through the door
Poor man's mountains
Forever more.
 
Arise from the night shift
Time to quit the pit
Cycle east in wonder
On the journey after dawn
High up on the 'Eagle'
At the last belay
The war, the blood, the coal dust
Seemed a whole world away
 
A view of peace and evening solace
Sends a charge in my brain
Release is only with the mountain
In morning sun or rain
And no one holds my soul to ransom
No chain can bind me
While the mountain is anarchic and free
 
There's a path to take me higher
To the ridge above the mist
Poor man's mountains
With your charity blessed
Never was too much to wish for
Stepping up and through the door
Poor man's mountains
Forever more.
 
Path take me higher
O'er rock and o'er briar
Rise up the ridge
Through morning sun or rain
Flood my veins
Loose these chains
Make my way
Through morning sun or rain
No walls can confine me
Set the spirit free
 
A Stiriding Edge song written by Mike Willoughby p + c 2007

credits

from Borrowdale Johnny, released September 21, 2007
Song written by Mike Willoughby

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Striding Edge Cumbria, UK

Striding Edge are now into their nineteenth year of playing ceilidh dances and concerts across Cumbria, North Lancashire and beyond.

As ever, their combination of thrilling traditional music and clear and concise dance calling is proving a huge hit with audiences:

"The ceilidh was a roaring success, loved by everyone young and old, your calling was spot on and the band were brilliant!" ... more

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