I picked up a book in a second bookshop that had an interesting cover. Then I read a random few sentences and thought … mmhh, this looks interesting.

It’s a book called Four Fields, by Tim Dee.

The writing is beautiful, and I really wanted to write a song after reading the first two chapters.

I’ve tried to stay somewhat within the sense of what he was saying- I hope I haven’t strayed too far.

Here’s what I came up with – and apologies to Tim Dee – I have used a load of the images that he used because they were so captivating. I hope that’s OK ?

I have a tune that I hope evokes something of the feel I’m going for. I’ll try and record that sometime.

I’m calling it ‘Elegy for the Fen.’

Field and fen, stream and river,
this is our life
Sun and seasons, clouds and rain,
water the earth

Generations have walked this land,
mown, mapped and known
Creation – will have our say –
we can’t be owned

Sound of the grass; ground shining green
Sound of the grass; ground shining green

We will show you how to live
with the grain
Whispers of Eden, guide you now
lead us home

We’ve been worked by other men,
‘til we were dry
But over and over and again,
we’re saved by the leaking sky

Sound of the grass; ground shining green
Sound of the grass; ground shining green

We have been orphaned from the land,
find the future in the past.

Sound of the grass; ground shining green
Sound of the grass; ground shining green

P.S. From the Hebrew Scriptures in the book of Job:

Crooks reside safely in high-security houses, insolent blasphemers live in luxury; they’ve bought and paid for a god who’ll protect them.
“But ask the animals what they think — let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on.

Put your ear to the earth — learn the basics. Listen — the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.

Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand — Every living soul, yes,every breathing creature?