The Joy of Living

(Words by Ewan MacColl from a Traditional Italian Folk Song)

G tuning: DBGDGD; Capo 3rd fret, Key of B-flat

Farewell you northern hills
you mountains all goodbye
Moorland and stony ridges,
crags and peaks goodbye
Glyder Fach farewell, Cul Beig,
Sca-fell, Cloud-bearing Suilven
Sun-warmed rock and the cold
of Bleak-low's frozen sea
The snow and the wind and the rain
of hills and mountains
Days in the sun and the temperate wind
and the air like wine
And you drink and you drink till you're drunk
on the joy of living

Farewell to you my love,
my time is almost done
Lie in my arms once more
until the darkness comes
You filled all my days, kept the night at bay,
dearest companion
Years pass by and they're gone
with the speed of birds in flight
Our life like the verse of a song
heard in the mountains
Give me your hand then, love,
and join your voice with mine
We will sing of the hurt and the pain
and the joy of living

Farewell to you my chicks,
soon you must fly alone
Flesh of my flesh, my future life,
bone of my own
May your wings be strong, may your days be long,
safe be your journey
Each of you bears inside
of you the gift of love
May it bring you light and warmth
and the pleasure of giving
Eagerly savor each new day
and the taste of it's mouth
Never lose sight of the thrill
and the joy of living

Take me to some high place
of heather, rock and ling
Scatter my dust and ashes,
feed me to the wind
So that I will be part of all you see,
the air you are breathing
I'll be part of the curlews cry
and the soaring hawk
The blue milkwort and the
sundew hung with diamonds
I'll be riding the gentle wind
that blows through your hair
Reminding you how we shared
in the joy of living