A new version of this song
Eclectic singer/songwriter and a great acoustic live performer. A compere, poet and author too!
The Bard of Ely was signed to Crai Records (the label where Catatonia began) as frontman for TAFFIA and an EP was released which included his songs 'Harvest Home' and 'You're a Liar, Nicky Wire.' Bard of Ely is a singer/songwriter, poet, compere, and a real ordained Celtic Bard being a member of the Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri and also Principal Bard of The Traveling Court of Camelot (the musical wing of the druid order). The Bard is also the author of Herbs of the Northern Shaman (Loompanics). Bard of Ely has had his music broadcast worldwide on the radio and has appeared countless times on TV too. He was the co-presenter of a series called 'In Full View' on BBC Choice.
Story behind the song
Features Madi and friends who dubbed on their parts. Vocals and guitar: Bard of Ely, banjo, harmonica, bass and production: Madi, violin: Bethan Frieze, drums: Meirion
Lyrics
This is an exercise in reality,
This is an exercise in what is true,
This is an exercise in ritual magic,
This is an exercise in I love you.
Now, I sing this from the dimension that my heart's in,
I paint this with the colors that I see,
I sing this for a host of guardian angels,
And I play this for the likes of you and me.
Messages they come in all the time now,
There's always someone calling on the line,
10 million ways to express what I'm saying,
In the dance of life we play the game of time.
There's teeming life within the desolate wilderness,
Birds of omen fly where once only eagles dared,
There's gold and silver jewelry and gemstones,
Treasure in the hearts of everyone who cared.
I sing this from the field that fronts the shoreline,
I sing this from an ancient chair of stone,
I play this on a multi-levelled fretboard,
Built by the expert skills of friends from home.
An ancient oaken door was heard to open,
For the jester or the fool by another name,
The king arrived in robes of glowing splendour,
And everyone applauded when he came.
I heard the Phoenix calling on the green hill,
The beating of her wings against the night,
Infinity's inside a simple flower,
And the mystery's revealed under the light.
I sense the wonder of the original rainbow,
The same one is hanging there for you and me,
I marvelled at the beauty and simplicity,
Of the many ways you get from one to three.
This is an exercise in reality,
This is an exercise in what is true,
This is an exercise in ritual magic,
This is an exercise in I love you.
