Last September, Pete Seeger listened for the first time to my newly recorded hymn for the Hudson Highlands, Breakneck Ridge, and by the end was singing along. The song is featured on A Very Fine Line and this video version - incorporating photos by Joe Johnson and Jack Revkin, is dedicated to Pete and Toshi. youtube/watch?v=0SP5e0ExKZo Here are the lyrics: Breakneck Ridge ©2013 Andrew Revkin I came from old New England’s shore. I miss those salty tides. My friends from Rocky Mountains high, they crave their starry skies. Some flock to California towns, where sunsets glow like ale. But it’s Hudson River banks and hills that make my soul set sail. From Breakneck Ridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge, and all that lies between. In autumn’s gold and winter’s snows, and spring and summer’s green. (repeat) A billion years of time and toil are etched in these old hills. Carved by ice and dynamite, but they stand strong here still. Seen tomahawks and cannon fire, and mighty industries. But these Hudson Highlands will endure when we are history. From Breakneck Ridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge, and all that lies between. In autumn’s gold and winter’s snows, and spring and summer’s green. (repeat) I’ve been around this whole wide world. I’ve been up toward the pole. But when I’m gone please lay me down in Hudson Valley soil. From Breakneck Ridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge, and all that lies between. In autumn’s gold and winter’s snows, and spring and summer’s green. (repeat)
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:10:08 +0000