Hearth and Fire

© 1980, Gordon Bok. QuasiModal Chorus, Bell Twelve-String: G.B. Recorded at Hamilton Hall, Camden, Maine

         Coming into winter, people naturally lean toward each other, and gather as much for mutual support as for ritual reasons. At one of those gatherings, I made this song thinking of relatives and friends who, because of work or distance or poverty, could not be with us. I arranged it for the QuasiModals, and Hamilton Hall, recorded it at my stepmother's house where we had enjoyed some of those gatherings. I thank Hamilton for encouraging me to keep recording after I stopped touring, for setting up a simple recording system for me, and for many days of recording, listening and editing over these good years.

Hearth and fire be ours tonight, and all the dark outside;
Fair the night, and kind on you, wherever you may bide.

And I'd be the sun upon your head, the wind about your face;
My love upon the path you tread, and upon your wanderings, peace

Wine and song be ours tonight, and all the cold outside
Peace and warmth be yours tonight, wherever you may bide

And I'd be the sun upon your head, the wind about your face;
My love upon the path you tread, and upon your wanderings, peace

Hearth and fire be ours tonight, and the wind in the birches bare-
Oh, that the wind we hear tonight would find you well and fair.

And I'd be the sun upon your head, the wind about your face;
My love upon the path you tread, and upon your wanderings, peace

And I'd be the sun upon your head, the wind about your face;
My love upon the path you tread, and upon your wanderings,
grace.

Hearth and Fire is recorded on the CD Windcalling