Sky light grey

The redundant church at Cotham, Nottinghamshire where the encounter that led to these lyrics happened.
Lyrics Mark Spruce
Music and vocals James Whiteman
This us the second song writing collaboration between James and Mark.
The first jointly written song is available here
/ old-brock-barrowby
I'm here, I'm still here
I will always be here
I stood in the church yard
Cold winters day
My back to the beach tree
Sky light grey
At the end of the branch above me
Cock robin perched
He sang then stared intently
I returned his gaze
He repeated his song
And looked again
I smiled and nodded
Like we were friends
I turned so slowly
As he moved to another branch
Eyeball to eyeball
Repeat performance
We both stood still
Locked in our game
He moved on once more
To repeat his refrain
I turned one eighty
When he landed behind me
My smile got wider
My heart got lighter
Watching each other
I'm absorbing this experience
Then he came closer
We had circled the tree
A mystical moment
This bird and me
You said your father
Would return
In the spirit of a robin
Watching over us one day
As I stood in that churchyard
Lost in that moment
I felt your father
Came back to say
I'm here, I'm still here
I will always be here
With you.
Mark Spruce 30/01/2024

[@suzanneharper9129]

As you already, Mark, I love this song. I’ve had similar experiences with both robins & blackbirds and the sense of connection is very special. There’s a flow to the melody and lyrics that creates a dreamlike mood. “My heart grew lighter”. It’s almost as if our hearts themselves have grown wings, isn’t it?