© Jim Stewart, SOCAN
From the pen of my favorite New Brunswick poet, Jim Stewart, who composed the epic Marco Polo Suite, "a tribute to one of Canada's most famous ships." I quote from the notes of his CD: "On its first voyage to Australia (1852) the Marco Polo lost 52 children to a measles epidemic." The "light" is Cape Otway off Melbourne, the "birds" are Australian swans.
Carol was the harper on the original recording of the suite.
Carol – harp Gordon – viol
There's a light in the distant darkness tonight
Soon we'll be there, tomorrow I swear
May the fire in your heart and eyes be as bright
This is my silent prayer.
So rest, baby rest – by the shining be blest
Never in shadows lost
This lone holy candle is guiding us on
Under the Southern Cross.
There were birds in the twilight, reeling on high
Like Noah's sign, their freedom was mine
And although they were wandering in a strange sky
Theirs was the far shoreline.
So hush, baby, hush – by wing sounding rush
Never in sunset lost
These cloud-dwelling dreamers are guiding us on
Under the Southern Cross.
And this ship has seen glory, heartache and mirth
Sunlight and hail, in doldrums and gale
Though she's ten thousand miles from the land of her birth
On through this night we sail.
So sleep, baby, sleep – by the wind and the deep
Never again be tossed
This proud weary traveler's taking us home
Under the Southern Cross.
Southern Cross is recorded on the Gordon Bok album Gatherings, and on the Jim Stewart album Marco Polo Suite