THE MEADOWS
This enchanting original was written when Allen moved to a house at the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty. From the living room window there is an unimpeded view of meadows stretching into the distance. The song explores the deep-seated human desire to reconnect with nature and the longing to live in harmony with nature in 'Elysian Fields' or 'Eden’.
RED IS THE ROSE
"Red is the Rose" is an old Irish ballad, closely linked to the Scottish ballad "Loch Lomond." It can be traced back to the 1700’s, but its origins lie in the mists of time. Its theme suggests ancient roots.
“Red is the rose” is an archetypal love song. It celebrates the natural world as a feminine other and speaks of a deep love of the land. It yearns for, and pledges loyalty to a sacred union with the earth.
I combined elements of "Loch Lomond" with elements of "Red is the Rose" and adapted some lyrics in keeping with the spirit of oral tradition. To my mind this sets the story in Cumbria – my heart's own true north and the land of my deepest allegiance.
