Charm on, Goldfinch

Spell Songs is a musical evolution of both The Lost Words & The Lost Spells books by acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane and award-winning illustrator Jackie Morris; featuring the multifaceted talents and collaborative genius of Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter and Jim Molyneux.
Find out more about Spell Songs and order our albums here:
www.thelostwor...
Composed by Beth Porter, these lyrics were inspired by regular walks in Wigtown along the Martyrs’ Stake where she sees goldfinches along the path and in the trees, and by the haunting end to Robert Macfarlane's new Goldfinch Spell, which appears in our first album and forms the chorus:
Charm on Goldfinch, charm on
Heaven help us when all your
gold is gone
Jackie Morris weaves her watercolour magic in the video, conjuring goldfinches to charm us all. The video was filmed at Jackie's Pembrokeshire studio and produced by Ben Davis
Golden light in dark times, the promise of hope, the potential for loss and regret are all woven through a multi-instrumental, multi-vocal piece which builds from a simple whistled tune accompanied by goldfinch song.
The Lost Words: Spell Songs (2019)
Charm on, Goldfinch
All along the bay
Where the old railway
Used to lie
You can find
A martyr in a marsh
It’s a path we take
Goldfinch in its wake
Gilds with grace
Spring-tide high
Red head you fly
In and out of sight
Little gifts of light
Tracks forever change
And the season fades
Goodbye to the sun
Goodbye Golden One
Charm on Goldfinch, charm on
Heaven help us when all your
gold is gone
Charm on Goldfinch, charm on
Heaven help us when all your
gold is gone
Find out more about Spell Songs and order our albums here:
www.thelostwor...

[@CitrusPolarBear]

My favourite song from the whole album. Amazing song and beautiful artwork to go with it! 💚

[@aeskewprop]

This song, incredibly poignant, as we lose our birds. So we can drive cars.

[@lesleygriffiths653]

Oh my, just beautiful. I find this quite meditative to listen to and watch the artwork emerge 💗

[@seraphim1069]

We need this music to be in all our hearts💛🙏☀

[@msrlmoss]

I love this entire album but I find this the most moving song of all (and they’re all moving). Heaven help us indeed.

[@lifesforliving4929]

Who is the artist please?

[@markpieexplores]

Beautiful music, artwork and book

[@StarstruckFerSure]

All of your songs are so beautiful, ethereal.

[@philball7779]

Beautiful and slightly sinister - makes me think of The Wicker Man for some reason.

[@bethporter6654]

I love the Wicker Man! Weirdly it was filmed very close to where I live and this song is inspired by my surroundings so you are spot on!

[@bethporter6654]

it's obviously inspired by The Lost Words/Lost Spells too and uses Robert Macfarlane's words for the chorus :-)

[@flamencalis]

Here after the amazing Folk on Foot Front Room festival. Such a wonderful song

[@imsocuez]

Wow...this transcends...takes me to a much brighter world.

[@sandikimmel9505]

Ah...so satisfying in so many ways. Beautiful and charming. Charm on!

[@kovacpetr]

Achingly beautiful.

[@cheeseheadfiddle]

Reminds me of Anne Briggs

[@Littlewing4201]

At a lost for words...OOXOO

[@أسطورةالطائر]

Mashallah and welcome to my channel all about goldfinch 👌👌

[@Buggs01]

A truly beautiful song.

[@rafaelcosta2831]

Maravilhosa

[@1garoutte]

I particularly like the interplay between Beth's cello and Julie's whistle playing!

[@gavtron75]

Who is singing on this one? It's lovely.

[@nickjakob550]

Beth Porter I believe

[@nickjakob550]

This group of musicians has such a variety of beautiful voices!

[@bethporter6654]

Thank you! I've only just seen these comments. It's been such a joy to play and sing with all these wonderful musicians. Like a dream!

[@sheilamerson7233]

Oh my, oh my, I love this. It's so uplifting. Brought a happy tear to my eyes.

[@thundercascadia]

What brush is that?

[@jacobeason1363]

Very cool but weirdly dramatic.

[@akramalkhazraji7058]

Yep