We've done 'name that tune' with lyrics, but, surprisingly, not much musicological when it comes to lighthouses. But its out there!

This thread is for listing songs, lyrics, titles, what-have-you for music that relates to lighthousey stuff. Here's the catch - you've got to have actually heard anything you reference - no fair just going to Amazon and searching on 'lighthouse'. (yes, yes, Howard Rumsey and the Lighthouse All-Stars)

I'll get things started... a one anda two anda...

"I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper" composed and sung by Erika Eigen, from the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange. A whimsical little droogy ditty, it fits right in with Purcell's Music For The Funeral of Queen Mary and snippets from Rossini's Thieving Magpie. ;->

"The Padstow Lifeboat" by the inimitable Malcom Arnold. A march comoposed in 1967 for the launching of a new lifeboat station in Cornwall, near the Trevose lighthouse. Replete with a jaunty brass foghorn sound that drones periodically in the background. I really like this tune - its got kind of a 'clowns from a volkswagen' appeal.

Slooshy a popdisc on the stereo... what's in your wallet?

T

How about "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine" sung by the attendees at the relighting of the Isle La Motte Lighthouse last October, accompanied by Nicole Gilbert and Friends. I heard that one!

(Original words and music by Harry Dixon Loes. Of course our version was adapted for the occasion and was not the tradional Sunday School ditty!)

How about "The Lighthouse's Tale" by Nickel Creek!

A beautiful song with mandolin, violin, guitar, & acoustic bass. This group is made up of 3 young people, and is bluegrass.

I am a lighthouse
Worn by the weather and the waves
I keep my lamp lit
To warn sailors on their way
I'll tell a story
Paint you a picture from my past
I was so happy
But joy in this life seldom lasts

I had a keeper
He helped me warn the ships at sea
We had grown closer
'Til his joy meant everything to me
He was to marry
A girl who shown with beauty and light
They loved each other
And with me watched the sunsets into nights.

(Chorus)
And the waves crashing around me,
The sand slipping out to sea,
and the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been, and what can never be

She had to leave us
My keeper, he prayed for a safe return
But when the night came
The weather to a raging storm had turned
He watched her ship fight
Butin vain against the wild and terrible wind
In me so helpless
As dashed against the rocks she met her end

(Chorus)

Then on the next day
My keeper found her washed up on the shore
He kissed her cold face
And that they'd be together soon he swore
I saw him crying
Watched as he buried her in the sand
Then he climbed my tower
And off the edge he ran

(Chorus)

I am a lighthouse
Worn by the weather and the waves
And though I'm empty
I still warn the sailors on their way

All This And More

It's not that I'm so cheerful, though I'll always raise a smile
and if at times my nonsense rhymes then I'll stand trial
My friends are all around me but they only breathe through fear
Were I to cry, I'm sure that still they'd never see a tear

In darkness through my being here, away from you
the bright light of your star confronts me shining through
Dull and sullen, much subdued, my skull a stony glaze
Whirlpools rage on constantly, I'm not so well these days
There must be something somewhere near who sees what's being done
The harbour lights are burning bright, my wax is almost run

In darkness through my being here, away from you
the bright light of your star confronts me, shining through
Come Lollard, raise your lute and sing, and to my ears her beauty bring
like Maddox in the days of old we'll feast and drink until we fold
And folding still we'll spare a thought for what's been lost and what's been caught
and maybe then begin again for love is life, not poison

In darkness through my being here, away from you
the bright light of your star confronts me, shining through

OK - pop quiz time. Who wrote these lyrics, who sung them, what was the album?

T

The song was written by Garry Brooker & Keith Reid of Procul Harum (a group the Poco gets mistaken for often). It's sung by Gary Brooker. It's originally on the 1969 album (you remember them, right) "A Salty Dog".

It's been on several Procul Harum albums, including the live one with Edmonton Orchestra.

Dennis

Keith Reid
Procol Harum
Beyond the Pale

http://www.procolharum.com/w/w0308.htm

The Google search just works too well when you have a direct quote to search on.

John,

I used that site as one of my sources, you got part of it wrong though- go back and check it out.

"Beyond the Pale" is the name of the Procul Harum site you went to. "A Salty Dog" is the name of the album that the song was originally on and Gary Booker is credited with helping to write the song on a different site.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MISS70305151310&sql=Akk6gtq1ztu45

Dennis

Would any song by the groups "Lighthouse" or "Edison Lighthouse" count?