3rd January 2021
Several years ago Phil Swann wrote a song that was inspired from a sign which he saw when he was driving to Plymouth "the spirit of discovery." He recently told me that he wasn't very happy with the original lyrics so I have now rewritten the lyrics.
The song is about explorers like the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth, the Wright brothers' first aeroplane flight and the first person to climb to the top of mount Everest.
Phil has started recording the song using my lyrics. On the recording Phil is playing guitars and mandolin and I have contributed the vocals, bass and keyboards. Eventually we will probably get Jules to sing it. We have also asked Martyn Hillstead to add some drums and or percussion.
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
THEY SAILED FROM PLYMOUTH'S HARBOURSIDE
UNCHARTERED WATERS TO BE CROSSED
WITH PRAYERS NOT TO BE LOST
FAR FROM THE SAFETY OF THE LAND
OF GREAT REWARDS THEY WOULD DREAM
THEIR EYES WERE ALL AGLEAM
WITH THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY, DISCOVERY, DISCOVERY
A FEW MILES SOUTH OF KITTY HAWK
IN DECEMBER 1903
TO DEFY GRAVITY
THEY LAUNCHED THEIR BIPLANE
NEARLY A MINUTE OF FLIGHT
NOT REACHING A GREAT HEIGHT
WITH THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY, DISCOVERY, DISCOVERY
SOME SUCEEDED AND I REALISE
IS IT FAIR JUST TO CRITICISE
THE MISTAKES OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TRIED BEFORE
TO REACH OUT AND NOT LET GO
IT'S IN OUR MINDS BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW
LEARNING FROM ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TRIED BEFORE
HE CLIMBED THE WORLD'S HIGHEST PEAK
THE AIR SO RAREFIED
HIS AMBITION SATISFIED
ON THE MOUNTAIN HIGH IN THE CLOUDS
SO MANY MOUNTAINEERS
HAVE DIED OR DISAPPEARED