SUSQUEHANNA
This set of words were written by Robert Louis Stevenson while he was in America and at a particularly low ebb in his life. Ever since I was a small boy, which is only a few years ago actually on reflection, quite a few years ago, I have always been fascinated by the name Susquehanna it has a certain something about it. While on tour in America and being driven along by the side on the Susquehanna with Elly and Isobel Ableson was a childhood dream and shortly after I came across a book of collected poems by the man himself. I will admit to changing some of the words around and then finally wrote the tune.Our good friends Dave Fletcher and Bill Whaley recorded this and it was them that repeated the last line which I think was so right and we hope that RSL would have approved of it. Martyn
SUSQUEHANNA. WORDS BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Melody M.Wyndham-Read.
Of late as I did travel my heart filled with despair
I came across a wondrous sight which drove away my care
Where glittering waters glide and magic filled the air
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware.
Of where and how I do not know and why I do not care
From now until forever more my soul will wander there
By flood and field and sunlit hill by wood and meadow fair
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware.
I think and hope and dream no more the dreams of other ware
Of things that were and might have been this man has ceased to care
For I have breathed too long too deep the lotus in the air
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware
Beside the Susquehanna and along the Delaware.