“Her lyrics are deeply personal and poetic” – Mayne Island Islander
“Music to lift your soul” – Volcano Gazette
Yearning Only This Moment Soundclips CD Order Form (PDF) Lyrics
Yearning
Photo:Melissa Schelling ©Melissa Schelling
"Today
I listened to your CD "Yearning" and (it)... reminded me that
there is beauty in the world". -Ron Clark,
Alburqueque, New Mexico
Only
This Moment
Photo:
Carol McOuat
©Carol McOuat
“The passion of cello and the sweetness of the Celtic harp…draw
out unexpected depths of feeling from one another.”
– Mayne Island Islander
Photo: Paul Daulquist
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Heron Takes Flight
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Spinner Dolphins
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Like a walk in an ancient forest or a visit to a crumbling
castle, this album is both peaceful and evocative, awakening deep
layers of memory and feeling. Oona’s original songs address modern
themes while suspending the listener in a timeless state of grace. Harp,
voice and violin interweave with woodwind virtuoso Richard Lee on recorder,
flute, pennywhistle and saxophone, inviting you to meet your heart’s
longing.
Total CD Length: 21:49
All words and music by Oona McOuat
Songs
1. Green Trees: 00:00 – 04:54
2. Drought: 00:00 – 04:49
3. Solitude: 00:00 – 03:31
4. Crumbling Castle: 00:00 – 04:00
5. Pray for the Wild Things: 00:00 – 04:17
Lyrics for Yearning:
1. Green
Trees
2. Drought
3. Solitude
4. Crumbling Castle
5. Pray for the Wild Things
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Oona’s ethereal voice and harp meet the wild cello of composer Corbin Keep on this dance through shadow and light. The artists explore the complexity of our emotional lives from moment to moment as they soar between heaven and earth. Cuts include “Of Eternity” a poem written by Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and set to music by Corbin. Listeners have described this duo as “inspirational” “breathtaking” and “an overwhelming success”.
Total CD Length: 19:01
All words and music by Oona McOuat & Corbin Keep except lyrics for “Of Eternity” are written by Rumi
Songs
1. Breathe
into the Heart
of This Dance: 00:00 – 04:09
2. Of Eternity: 00:00 – 03:41
3. Wash Away: 00:00 – 04:52
4. Only This Moment: 00:00 – 06:16
Lyrics
for Only
This Moment
1. Breathe
into the Heart of this Dance
2. Of Eternity
3. Wash Away
4. Only This Moment
Photo:
Leigh Hilbert
These
sound clips are in a MP3 format and may be listened to with Real Player.
Crumbling Castle
Words and Music by
Oona McOuat
Breathe into the Heart of This Dance
Words and Music
by Oona McOuat
Lyrics for
You Live On a tribute to Cher Bear
Lyrics for: Magic is Nigh
Lyrics for Yearning
Lyrics for Only
This Moment
Cher Bear
Photo: Paul Daulquist
You came when I was thirsting,
a river that flowed from the Source,
Destiny, your silver beauty
put my life on course.
I knew that time was a trickster
but I fell into his dance,
Believing now was forever,
lost in the sweetness of our trance.
Chorus:
With every breath, with every word,
with every bird's song I have heard,
with every feather, every touch,
every stone you loved so much,
With every wind that says you're gone,
I greet the dawn
and you live on.There are those who remember
a sacred light that can't be named.
Autumn nights by your fire,
Awakening my flame.
Moon and mystery are calling,
Daughter, your journey is not done
a part of me is there with youorbiting this wounded Earth,
You'll always be my sunChorus:
With every breath, with every word,
with every bird's song I have heard,
with every feather, every touch,
every stone you loved so much,
With every wind that says you're gone,
I greet the dawn
and you live on.© 2003 Oona McOuat
Twas in the Springtime of the year,
a crescent moon shone bright and clear.
She stood beneath a starry sky,
The wind in the trees whisperedMagic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.She said it's been a year and a day
since my True Love went away
to earn his fortune by his song,
surely moon it can't be long.I've made my cottage warm and snug,
From the finest silk I weave a rug,
My garden's filled with blooms so bright,
Still I sleep alone at night.But Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.
The wind picked up and circled round,
A gentle mist cloaked the ground.
She opened her hands to the heavens above
releasing her longing for her Love.The branches bent to comb her hair
Owl and deer gathered there,
placed a crown of flowers on her head,
rubbed her lips with berries red.Chanting magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.Floating through the tender night
The sweetest music took flight.
A velvet cape danced in the air,
She turned and saw her True Love there.He said your longing called me forth
like flute of South, drum of North
The deer has brought me here to you
I can stay until the morning dew.
'Cause magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.She yearned to cling, she longed to weep,
Throw her self at his feet
crying promise me that here you'll stay,
Together we will greet the day.But she looked him squarely in the eye,
saying you are free and so am I
when daylight comes I'll let you go
although my heart will miss you so.Still magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.He said a strange enchantment's haunted me
Kept me wandering restlessly,
There's a riddle at the heart of the spell
You'll free me if you answer it well.
If you are the moon, I am the sun
Our journeys' separate, purpose one.
How can we share this endless sky,
yet keep our wings so both can fly?And remember, magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.And the wind, her friend, whispered the answer to the riddle in her ear and she knew:
We must stay true to our own light
Only then can love take flight,
And the spell that bound him fell away,
He said you've set me free, now I can stay.He wrapped her in his arms so strong,
softly humming his sweet song.
Lavender and wood smoke filled the air
Owl and deer encircled them there.
Singing magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh,
Magic is nigh.
'Twas in the Springtime of the year,
a crescent moon shone bright and clear.
She stood beneath a starry sky,
The wind in the trees whispered© 2002 Oona McOuat All Words & Music by Oona McOuat
1.Green Trees
Story of the land
Journey of the sea
Secrets of the wind
Wrapped up inside of me
in this body of time.
Green trees of home
I hear you calling,
Your voice, like a sweet caress
fills me with longing.
The forest softly stirs with secrets moist and ancient
Will they fall upon deaf ears?
Or are all your sons and daughters
feeling you reach into their hearts.
Green trees of home
the change is starting,
The cities intensify
as you stand guarding
what’s left of the Mother jewel.
I come from a land of rushing rivers and snow-capped peaks
where beauty still graces the path of she who seeks,
This country, it’s a part of my body I can touch I can taste
across the distance, she says if you want to be with me come home soon
and prepare for the change.
Green trees of home,
is it time for my returning,
The thought of being by your side
fills me with yearning,
Green trees of home,
Green trees.
Story of the land,
Journey of the sea,
Secrets of the wind,
Wrapped up inside of me,
in this body of time.
© 1998 Oona McOuat
Have I lost part of my soul
or was it never mine for taking?
Still I thirst like this cloudless sky
for what will wash away the aching.
You know I believe when I see it in your eyes
but there’s a place inside that wants to run away
and hide.
Journey of reclaiming
See if I can name the pieces that are gone,
Creep past the doubt that’s guarding
the secret cave that’s harbouring
all my yearning to be strong,
Find the one who lives alone there and lead her to a field
where she lifts her voice in song,
This drought’s been too long.
There is a wound, a feral child
Sheltered by fear from storms and rain she is wild,
How will she grow, this child, this seed
without water and light to recognize her need?
She sees the earth is parched and dry
hungering for tears she’s never learned how to cry.
Journey of reclaiming
See if I can name the pieces that are gone,
Creep past the doubt that’s guarding
the secret cave that’s harbouring
all my yearning to be strong,
Find the one who lives alone there and lead her to a field
where she lifts her voice in song,
And the clouds form, the tears flow, the rain comes
The drought has passed.
Raingiver brings hope
Raingiver brings release
Raingiver brings life
Raingiver brings peace.
© 1998 Oona McOuatLone Phalarope
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
Solitude
I’ve made you a stranger,
I was afraid of the magic that we made.
I long to be with the bittersweet perfume
of Solitude, just you and me
alone here in the room of my heart.
Sometimes
when I’m alone with the sound of the rain I hear you,
The voice of a friend I once knew
but I cast away from your shore,
Now I want to be with you once more.
Solitude
I’ve made you a stranger,
I was afraid of the magic that we made.
I long to be with the bittersweet perfume
of Solitude, just you and me
alone here in the room of my heart.
It seems that the moments fly
the important things can pass right by
Like drinking silence, watching breath
finding feelings that never left,
Chasing memories, soothing fears
tracing dreams, shedding tears.
Solitude
I’ve made you a stranger,
I was afraid of the magic that we made.
I long to be with the bittersweet perfume
of Solitude, just you and me
alone here in the room of my heart,
alone here in the room of my heart.
© 1998 Oona McOuat
There’s a hole in my heart
like a crumbling castle,
There’s a place deep inside
where old melodies play,
I drift through time
Want to know what is mine
and what will wash away.
The sea comes to claim
this crumbling castle,
The walls tumble down
and let in the light,
An ancient call
rings through these hollow halls
I am their ears.
Witness to the past
I know some things last
beyond the tangible,
Circle of stone
Mist calling
I am falling
into the whole.
I long to return
to this crumbling castle,
To live out my days
in this place between the worlds.
© 1998 Oona McOuat
Photo: Wilda Collins
I’m the wild one that runs with the wind
Thought I could rest here with you my friend
But here they come, here they come.
Pushing for progress, no forests left to weep,
No cradle for the Mother to rock her babe to sleep.
Thought there’d always be a place for me
Where I could drink the peace and hear the sea
But their chains are getting closer
And I am tired.
I’m the wild one that runs with the wind
Thought I could rest here with you my friend
But here they come, here they come.
If I leave before sunrise perhaps they’ll never know
I’ll find a place they haven’t where the dreamers’ seeds are sown,
I’ll send them visions from the deep
Of the way it was before their sleep
Robbed them of the beauty
And tamed their souls.
I’m the wild one that runs with the wind
Thought I could rest here with you my friend
But here they come, here they come.
Pray for the wild things, pray for the wild things
Pray.
© 1998 Oona McOuat
Written while swimming with wild dolphins....
1. Breathe Into the Heart of This DanceExhale dark
Inhale light,
The pain of the world
inside me tonight
And I just breathe into the heart of this dance
the spinning, the winning, the bruising, the losing,
Breathe into the heart of this dance
where the clichés swirl with a feeling of dread…
Is this our last chance?
What is the sound
of a heart as it breaks?
How can I soothe
a soul that achesIf I don’t breathe into the heart of this dance
the spinning, the winning, the bruising, the losing
Breathe into the heart of this dance
where the clichés swirl with a feeling of dread …
Is this our last chance?
You touch me
in places
Deeper than the ocean’s floor,
Beyond words, beyond feelings
You heal me to the core.
Eternity
Rests right here,
It’s the choices we make
that summon fear
So just breathe into the heart of this dance
the spinning, the winning, the bruising, the losing
Breathe into the heart of this dance
where the clichés swirl with a feeling of dread…
is this our last chance?
Words and Music: Oona McOuat
© 1999 Oona McOuat
We are the mirror
As well as the face in it
We are tasting
The taste this minute
Of Eternity.We are pain and what cures pain both.
We are the mirror
As well as the face in it
We are tasting the taste this minute
Of Eternity.
Words: Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi
Music: Corbin Keep© 1999 Corbin Keep
Photo: Leigh Hilbert
I’ve been waiting a thousand years or more just to find you
Timing is everything they say
Only the truth won’t
wash away.
Hearts don’t lie
but who am I
To presume I know the meaning of all things.
Too moody, impatient
hungering for the pure and ancient,
If I could build a boat I’d float
on this ocean of deep emotion,
And wash away, wash away.
Beneath this world of lines and facts
there is a circle,
Embracing everything
No right or wrong
Deep as the soul’s song.
Hearts don’t lie
but who am I
To presume I know the meaning of all things.
The sky is the sea and the moon is my heart
I’m calling to you ’cross the infinite dark,
I will build a boat and float
on this ocean of deep emotion
And wash away, wash away.
Words and Music : Oona McOuat
© 1999 Oona McOuat
Shimmering pool of water
Symphony of frogs
Singing to flowers in the moonlight
Warm summer‘s breath is drawn
To touch this beauty
Free from all thought
Unknowing, glowing in mystery’s freedom.
Only this moment
Only this moment
Only this moment
Forever here.
Summer’s end exhaled
Another season, another time
What was held, what we knew then has gone
This longing, this sadness
Welling memories
Give way, allowing, connecting, bursting, present again.
Only this moment
Only this moment
Only this moment
Forever here.
Words and Music: Corbin Keep
© 1999 Corbin Keep
