Man the Musicmaker

Working in the music office this morning when the whole area became filled with the sound of students practising their part in a new piece to play together - an arrangement of "Spring" from Vivaldi's concerti 'Four Seasons'. Enveloped in the 'surround sound' of all the different instruments I was reminded of one of my favourite poems, which in turn, reminded me of Nancy, her family, old friends and all the music making at the Easter Weekends, 20-25 years ago and the wonderfulness of it all. Good vibes. Golden days.

The saxophone was 'parked' in the office and the poem is in one of the few poetry books I brought with me when moving here.


In the beginning was the word
the stillborn silence broken
word followed word
and man's first song was spoken

Then the air filled with sounds
wind and sea and bird
man listened in amazement
then copied what he heard

The wind plucked the strings of the forest
whistled through canyon and plain
thunder beat drums in the nightsky
as lightning crashed cymbals in rain

In the beginning was the word
the stillborn silence broken
word followed word
and man's first song was spoken

Then the air filled with music
flute and drum and lyre
for Man the Musicmaker
had set his soul on fire.

Roger McGough