The first track from the Duke of Norfolk's upcoming album 'A Pebble of the Brook'.
The song’s two titles are, respectively, for the new beginning and for the slow hope of some approaching joy. It is the beginning of a story told in reverse and a reminder that the end of one story is always the beginning of another. It is about grief in several forms and is, in part, a rumination on the last two lines of Emily Dickinson’s poem 96 which read ‘Parting is all we know of heaven, / And all we need of hell.’
lyrics
I spent the evening in reading poems from old lovers.
Emily, again, paints the world in rare-used color.
I dip my glass beneath the spring of this ancient fountain
And sip thy jessamines.
Hidden garden / forbidden mountain.
If I leave, with the ringing bell,
this is all I know of heaven and all I need of hell
Calm the raging storm.
If you can, I’ll give you everything.
Gentle diligence, burning off my unseen offering.
But would I leave if the seas don’t swell?
I'll tell you what I can of heaven and what I must of hell
Now my numb left forearm!
Now the blood in my cheeks!
Causes silent wonder,
growing silent need.
Oh the hope of heaven!
Is this hope I feel?
Still I hear the thunder, and the whimpering.
I spent the evening in.
And I dip my glass again.
Hidden garden / forbidden mountain.
credits
released April 24, 2020
Written by Adam Howard
Recorded & performed by Adam Howard with the help of:
Eve Goldman - additional vocals
Julia Michel - clarinet
Zach Gerzon - recording engineer for clarinet parts.
Video animation by Adam Howard, coded in js using lottie-web library. The animation can be viewed here: eden.thedukeofnorfolk.com