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The Hospice, Christmas 2010

by Jason Lewis & Ancient Champion

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about

Not for the first time, I've added the music to a poem by the writer Jason Lewis. He's building something, and I am thrilled to be part of it.

The Hospice, Christmas 2010 is an epilogue, caught in a downdraft. It's our serious attempt at an annual Christmas hit, like a DIckensian ghost story. Without the joy.

Jason is brilliant - he records his poems on his phone and emails them across the road with explicit instructions I am unable to respond to since, since the very beginning I have never been able to do whatever is asked of me. Somehow, together, we've ended up with this beautiful low-fi melange.

lyrics

There were grey double doors
at the end of the corridor,
where the light seemed
permanently dimmed.

I'd hear them swing occasionally
as another body was taken in.

As you lay there,
your once bold tattoos,
wrinkle smudged
like children's drawings.

All blunt crayons
and dried out felt tip pens.

Your gazed up with weary,
puddle-damp eyes,
that once burnt
and shone like mine.

Now so dull
and anaesthetised.

That nurse's smile
could have won awards,
her jocular asides,
played to the patrons

of this theatre.

The business of days or weeks
discussed backstage

And both of us,
with reputations,
for talking far too much,
forgot all our lines

When time came
To be judged.

The shape of words
just snagged in my mouth.

And this was how
we spent our first
Christmas together
for over 30 Years

And now I replace one loss,
with another loss,
one vacuum,
with another vacuum

Another void beckoned you
from beyond the swinging doors.

Neither of us
had the strength
to consider how
we would say goodbye,

But when it came,
That overdue,
and final
'I love you'

So elegantly timed.

credits

released November 16, 2020
words.Jason Lewis
music.Ancient Champion

license

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Ancient Champion UK

Ancient Champion's provides Easy and uneasy listening for difficult times.

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