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Angel of the North
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A song adapted from the poem Angel of the North by Jackie Gleeson originally written for St Mary's Church, Wallsend
pop rock acoustic beatles folk acoustic pop acoustic folk chris ward
Artist picture
Wide range of rock and pop music including ballads and instrumentals....with the occasional classical rock and swing thrown in for good measure
Chris Ward a singer/songwriter from the Heart of England.
Song Info
Genre
Acoustic • Acoustic Folk
Charts
#1,312 in subgenre Peak #12
Charts
Peak #53
Author
Chris Ward
Rights
Shareshill Music
Uploaded
August 16, 2010
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.1 MB • 128 kbps • 3:22
Story behind the song
It started as a simple strummed guitar riff to which I found myself singing 'I am the Angel of the North they say...' , evoking images of the contemporary sculpture designed by Antony Gormley, which is located in Gateshead, England.
Lyrics
I am the Angel of the North they say With wings in the grey sky and my concrete feet in clay Directing the heavy clouds body braced against the wind Conducting the earthbound rain in which the angels sing I am the angel for the travellers below From romans to miners history called them to go I can see Adam, Eve and all the prophets too I see the priest, the priestess and demons deep in you I am the Angel of the North I'm told With a back bone of iron, and a steel ribbed heart of gold I can hear people, multitudes of humanity From the first to the last one and those who are yet to be I am the Angel of the North they say The bronze light above you to light you on your way I can see Joseph, Mary, kings and shepherds too I can see Jesus, Judas, lies, deception, truth I am the Angel, my wings straight and strong I am the Angel who can hear my windswept song? I am the Angel guardian of all, I am the Angel sentinel on call Adapted From Original Poem As below ------------------------------------ What would Adam make of you pet, set With feet in concrete, ribbed wings braced against wind. I can see Eve, Moses and all the Apostles heads against sky, craning stretched necks at the size of you, coppered, blazing in the sun. We're tellin' them, all of us, the ghosts beneath earthbound roots, picks still in hands, bosses and salt skinned shipmen, women who wailed at the sea. Tellin' Mary and all that lot in the stable, Tellin' Judas and McCarthy, Tellin' Kennedy and Shepherds on the old old hills Tellin' them that we ain't done yet. You're a messenger all right pet, I bet Your voice of steel heralding a new milennium starts such noise and singing in all of God's choirs, praising as your head towers with the rest of you, chained, fearless in the rain. We're yellin' at them, all of us, The soot choked grandas, spines curved from crawling, Lasses and leather skinned wives, kids who don't cry in a fight. Yellin' that we're here and we're stronger Yellin' futures and fortune, Yellin' birth and don't forget us on the old old hills Yellin' through the rain, soaking wet. The Romans footfall echo on your ribs pet, let History call to travellers, passing on the ancient road. Can you feel Jesus, Ghandi and all of the Prophets, screaming God voiced through the strength of you, challenging, shining in the dark. They're sellin' the message, all of them. The age old saints and the new born saviours, Children and those not born, boys who run with forever. Sellin' them the story of survival, Sellin' faith and eternity Sellin' diamonds of courage from the old old hills. Sellin' all the truth they can get. I'm glad you're an angel pet, yet You're human, feet in the clay, head in clouds. I can hear people, multitudes, all of humanity, coming Toward the bronzed light of you, watching, lighting up the world. I know, you're tellin' us, all of us From the first to the last and to those still to come, Warriors and sleeping peacemakers, lovers who cry at the dawn. Tellin' two thousand years and just beginning Tellin' love and forgiveness Tellin' Jesus' wisdom from those old old hills Tellin' peace that we all can get.
12 Song Likes
On 6 Playlists
Comments 12
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ALEXIS PATRICK
Feb 28, 2012
I consider you a musical genius. Your music is beyond enchanting.
Alex Cooper
Sep 19, 2011
Great track Chris. I like how the acoustic guitar sounds a little "off time" with the rest. the vocals are really nicely done. All around great work.
Frankfurt Dialog Company
Sep 24, 2010
Hi Angel of the North! Chris, this is great stuff. Latino backing vibe combined with a different story. Great stuff, masterfully played and sung! Love the choir and the little Arps going on in the chorus section! Great song!
newwine
Sep 14, 2010
peace Chris, a pleasure to hear you putting a color on a gray subject, of course Vocals are in top form with a most proper mix. right on with the final. so this is what those stationary ones, with feet in concrete say, in their private moments of salutation. the point of view from a statue is definitely novel, almost. : - ) get a chance check out : http://soundclick.com/share?songid=3460941 especially v5-7 i think u will like... keep doing what u do very well bBlsd bWl pRr
Hayley Oliver
Sep 02, 2010
Hi Chris, :) Great song, very well produced and performed as always. thanks for stopping by and the nice comment and rating. Love Hayley
Roger John
Aug 31, 2010
Besides the great music on this one, the story has a certain attraction to it cause I think its not something your not going to find in many songs. Unique
dawnsinclair
Aug 26, 2010
Well, this is wonderful Chris and a fine adaptation of Jackie Gleason's poem...brilliant. I loved the peaceful feeling it gave me too...couldn't fault it in any way possible. (no one seems to come to SoundClick as often any more so don't worry....
Wade Farlowe
Aug 25, 2010
Hello Chris, This is a most excellent adaptation from poem to lyrics and from heart to melody.....with a touch of mystery within that melody. You have a profound way of capturing many feelings and concepts with your music.....like I said, most excellent!!!!!! Glad you're back at SC!!!!!! Respectfully, Wade
zaungast
Aug 25, 2010
Welcome back! :D
claude and noella larente
Aug 25, 2010
Good day Chris Thanks a bunch buddy, glad you liked "Toronto Bound" Awesome job with "Angel of the north" CHEERS Claude and Noella
gabe stenziano
Aug 24, 2010
very well put together song. the vocals are good and the instrumenttion fits the mood of the song just right. nice work, gabe
Tony DeLecce
Aug 21, 2010
Hi Chris, Great idea for a song. This sounds excellent. Vocals are top notch and I really like the backing vocals. A very full sound. Nice work. Just came over to hear there is no me and saw this treasure.