Category: Dar Williams

Music Monday: Storm King

4/27/2020

On April 17, 2012, singer-songwriter Dar Williams released the album "In the Time of Gods." Most of the songs on the album were based on the mythology of ancient Greece, but one song seems to have slipped by - "Storm King," based on the beauty and legend of Storm King Mountain at Cornwall, NY.

"Storm King" Lyrics
The clouds will form a crown,
Circling the rocky mountaintop,
Telling us the rain is coming soon,
As we sail the river up and down

The storm king has borne the seasons all,
Worn them upon his brow,
He guides the watchful boats below,
I am the storm king now.

He is bemused, sometimes delighted,
Sees the trains, the hikers on the hill
In our progress and our industry
May we grow better still.

The storm king has seen us from above,
Rising up on the starboard bow
He knows the turning of the years
I am the storm king now.

The storm king has borne the seasons all,
Worn them upon his brow,
He guides the watchful boats below,
I am the storm king now.
I am the storm king now.

And for those of you who love Dar Williams for the poetry of her songwriting, Hank Beukema has combined Williams' two Hudson River songs - "The Hudson" and "Storm King" into one beautiful, spoken-word video.

Which is your favorite? We think both Dar's song and the poetry of the lyrics as read by Hank are equally beautiful!

Thanks to HRMM volunteer Mark Heller for sharing his knowledge of Hudson River music history for this series.

If you enjoyed this post and would like to support more history blog content, please make a donation to the Hudson River Maritime Museum or become a member today!

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Music Monday: The Hudson River

4/13/2020

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Singer-songwriter Dar Williams was born in Mount Kisco, NY and continues to live in and write songs about New York. Known for her folk-pop sound and described as "one of America's very best singer-songwriters," Williams tours frequently and has made frequent appearances, often at fundraisers, throughout the Hudson Valley.

"The Hudson" was released on September 13, 2005 as the final track of the album "My Better Self," and is an homage to Williams' New York/Hudson River Valley life.

"The Hudson" Lyrics
If we're lucky we feel our lives know when the next scene arrives
So often we start in the middle and work our way out
We go to some gray sky diner for eggs and toast
New York Times or the New York Post
Then we take a ride through the valley of the shadow of death

But even for us New Yorkers
There's a time in every day
The river takes our breath away

And the Hudson, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own

The river roads collect the tolls for the passage of our souls
Through silence, over woods, through flowers and snow
And past the George Washington Bridge
Down from the trails of Breakneck Ridge
The river's ancient path is sacred and slow

And as it swings through Harlem
It's every shade of blue
Into the city of the new brand new

And the Hudson yeah, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own

I thought I had no sense of place or past
Time was too slow, but then too fast
The river takes us home at last

Where and when does the memory take hold
Mountain range in the Autumn cold
And I thought West Point was Camelot in the spring
If you're lucky you'll find something that reflects you
Helps you feel your life protects you
Cradles you and connects you to everything

This whole life I remember
As they begged them to itself
Never turn me into someone else

And the Hudson yeah, it holds the life
We thought we did it on our own

And the Hudson yeah, holds the life
We thought we did it on our own

Do you have a favorite Dar Williams song? Have you ever seen her live in concert? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments!

Thanks to HRMM volunteer Mark Heller for sharing his knowledge of Hudson River music history for this series.

If you enjoyed this post and would like to support more history blog content, please make a donation to the Hudson River Maritime Museum or become a member today!

Donate Now

Join Today

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Music Monday: Storm King

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