During the 1990s, I drove down to Cornwall, the neighbouring county, to listen to Joan Armatrading, the English singer, sing her signature song, Willow, at the end of her concert.
I played the record regularly at home – a soulful song with fine lyrics on offering another refuge in a storm.
I had a couple of reminders of the song this week including her guest appearance on television and a short conversation in Totnes with a person in their 20s whose name echoes the song. She did not know of the song. Willow is the name of Totnes’s first vegetarian restaurant started in the early 1980’s by Isabel L, our wonderful cook (from Germany) for our retreats in India in the mid-1970s.
Here is the link to Youtube. Joan sings Willow in Edmonton, Canada in 1999.The audience quietly sings at the end. She is singing in the zone. Beautiful.
Here are the lyrics.
WILLOW
I may not be your best
You know good ones don’t come by the score
You’ve got something missing
I’ll help you look you can be sure
And if you want to be alone
Or someone to share a laugh
Whatever you want me to
All you gotta do is ask
Thunder
Don’t go under the sheets
Lightning under a tree
In the rain and snow
I’ll be your fire side
Come running to me
When things get out of hand
Running to me
When it’s more than you can stand
I said I’m strong
Straight
Willing
To be a
Shelter
In a storm
Your willow
Oh willow
When the sun is out
A fight with your best girl
Prettiest thing you ever saw
You know I’ll listen
Try to get a message to her
And if it’s money you want
Or trouble halved
Whatever you want me to
All you gotta do is ask
I said I’m strong
Straight
Willing
To be a
Shelter
In a storm
Your willow
Oh willow
When the sun is out
Shelter in a storm
Your willow
Oh willow
When the sun is out
Thank you, Joan.
May all know a willow in their life who offers shelter in a storm.
May all beings remember to engage in the Dance of Life (Lila in Sanskrit)
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PS. We can listen to music, sing with the song or dance to music.
In case you are wondering.
It is not Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson or Mick Jagger.
It is not Fred Astaire (1899-1987)
– regarded as probably America’s finest dancer of all time
along with his dance partner, Ginger Rogers.
Photo taken at a party in Brighton in a dance studio.
