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.
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 CAD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Gordon's debut novel "The Ark Of The Oven Mitt" is 88,000 words long - and after it was done he thought he'd use the same 'novel' method- plot, characters, landscape, a full story, condensed into a short song. The image of the narrator coming down off a mountain into a seaside town on horseback came to the writer in a dream.

lyrics

I came down
To Simpson Sound
To spend my harvest pay
Madame Paquette
Had rooms to let
My intention was to stay
At least until
Those barren hills
Were free of snow again
Till my belly was full
And I felt the pull
To resume my wanderin’ ways

Madam she said
“If you visit the bed
Of young Willow over the stable
She’ll treat you kind
If you’d be inclined
To leave a deuce on my table”

Such delights
On those winter nights
Filled with love and laughter
She’d bend to me
Just like the tree
That she had been named after

Oh Willow
You don’t have to weep
Oh Willow I will set you free

By St. Patrick’s Day I’d spent my wages
And the ice in the bay was gone
“Willow”, I said, “Though it fills me with dread
It is time for moving on

But I can’t live. Unless you give
Me your hand and come with me”
She cried “Madame Paquette
Will never let me leave”

So I pleaded and I begged

Madame said “Sir. You can’t have her
Though every night you bought her
I won’t let her go. Because you should know
Willow is my daughter”

So we parted
Broken hearted
And I headed for the west
When I returned
With sorrow I learned
That Willow had been laid to rest

Oh Willow
For you I’ll always weep
Oh Willow, I pray the lord your soul to keep
Oh Willow, you set yourself free

credits

from Wrinkles and Scars, released March 2, 2024

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

JAMES GORDON image

JAMES GORDON Guelph, Ontario

James Gordon is a Canadian songwriter/playwright/musician/producer/author and community activist. Co-founder of the legendary Canadian folk trio Tamarack, He’s released 40 albums in 40 years!
His newest release on Borealis Records- "the Heritage Hall Sessions" has been very well received world-wide. James Moonlights as a CIty Councillor in his hometown of Guelph, Ontario. www.jamesgordon.ca ... more

contact / help

Contact JAMES GORDON

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like JAMES GORDON, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now