We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Night Owl Homeward Turns

from Fond Desire Farewell by Debra Cowan

/

about

© Steve Tilston
Steve composed this song about the Norsemen's first ventures to England's shores, but I believe that the song's subject matter is timeless.

lyrics

The night owl homeward turns
As the dawn sweeps the sky
We must rise and gather up our flock
Push tears from our eyes
We will tread the secret pathways
The ancients did roam
For now comes the last time we’ll call this place home

And their longboats have been spied
Gathering on the strand
Where they hover like a pack of dogs awaiting command
With their iron and their fire
They will cut through the spray
And the word is that this time
Their intention's to stay

All the young men’s talk is brave,
They must make a stand
With their courage flowing from a jug
Old swords in their hands
How easy they embrace the old gods of war
And their blood flows the moral defending the shore

The night owl homeward turns
As the dawn sweeps the sky
We must rise and gather up our flock
Push tears from our eyes
We will tread the secret pathways
The ancients did roam
For now comes the last time we’ll call this place home

credits

from Fond Desire Farewell, released April 28, 2009
Arranged and Produced by Dave Mattacks

Musicians
Debra Cowan: Vocals, Acoustic guitar on “Wall...” “Night Owl...” “Salisbury...”, English Concertina on “Rainbow”, “Night Owl”
Dave Mattacks: Drums, Cymbals, Percussion, Piano, Pump Organ, Hammered Dulcimer, Wurlitzer Piano, Toy Piano
Duke Levine: Acoustic Guitar, Mandola, National Guitar, Octave Mandolin Marty Ballou: Upright Bass Joyce Andersen: Fiddle

With: Billy Novick: Clarinet and Wolf Ginandes:Tuba on “Alcohol”
Additional Vocals: Mike Barry on “Rainbow”, “Lili...” and “Yon Green Valley”
Ruth Peterson, Mike and Julie Barry on “Darkest Hour...” Mike, Julie and Liam Barry on “Lili...”

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Debra Cowan Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Singer Debra Cowan performs a cappella and with guitar, interpreting a wide range of folk songs. Debra has two acclaimed solo recordings to her credit, and her third, “Fond Desire Farewell” was produced by former Fairport Convention drummer Dave Mattacks. A former California resident, she now resides in Massachusetts and tours all over North America and the United Kingdom. ... more

contact / help

Contact Debra Cowan

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account