Tarnished Harp

Then, then when I was green
And all my strings had sheen
My ev’ry note would tremble.
The wind made primitive tempo and time,
My melody came from the bright sunshine.
My tone was from a bird perched up in the pine.
When plucked, the sound I made was tingling sweet,
The king's court danced ‘round and ‘round my feet,
The angels sang their hymns, my voice so gentle.

New and whole, fair my soul.

Time has run
Tunes are sung,
The harpist gone.
 How to find my song when innocence has flown.

Now, now that I am worn,
Shoulder is scratched and torn,
So tarnished, dull and weakened.
Again, I'll make my frame both true and strong,
And too I'll change my screech into a song,
Mend broken strings with new ones, short and long.
My youth is gone but age gives mellow mood.
The music comes from me all breathless good.
The planxties played are Carolan, unique-ned,
Now I'm whole, waxed my soul.

Time has run,
Tunes are sung,
The harpist gone.
 How to find my song when innocence has flown.

Time has run
Tunes are sung,
Innocence gone.
Wisdom's truth has grown,
And life has shaped my song.
A beautiful new song,
A beautiful new song.