Earth's Burdens

from Of Hard Times & Harmony by Windborne

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

Why groaning so, thou solid Earth! Tho’ sprightly summer cheers?
O, is thine old heart dead to mirth? Or art thou bowed by years?
No, I’m not cold to summer’s prime, nor knows my heart decay;
Nor am I bowed by countless time, thou atom of a day!

I loved to hear, when tree and tide their gentle music made;
And, lightly, on my sunny side, to feel the plough and spade.
I loved to hold my liquid way through floods of living light;
To kiss the sun’s bright hand by day, and count the stars by night.

I loved to hear the children’s glee around the cottage door;
And peasant’s song right merrily the field come ringing o’er.
But man upon my back has lain such heavy loads of stone,
I cannot grow the golden grain: ‘Tis therefore that I groan.

And where the evening dew sank mild upon my quiet breast,
I feel the tear of the houseless child break burning on my rest.
And thick and fast as autumn-leaves my children drop away:
A gathering of unripened sheaves by premature decay.

Oh! where are all the hallowed sweets, the harmless joys I gave?
The pavements of your sordid street are stones o’er virtue’s grave!
Gaunt misery bars the cottage-door and greed supports the throne;
Indifference echoes more and more: ‘Tis therefore that I groan.

credits

from Of Hard Times & Harmony, released December 2, 2022
Words: Ernest Jones
Tune: The Child of Grace

license

about

Windborne Brattleboro, Vermont

contact / help

Contact Windborne

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Windborne, you may also like:

They're Calling Me Home (With Francesco Turrisi)
by Rhiannon Giddens

supported by 6 fans who also own “Earth's Burdens”

Our great musician / singer / performer / arranger. Champion for the unsung through song. Her finest album yet. Wonderful contributions from Francesco Turrisi as well. First couple of folk. Red Balloon Talk
go to album
Cures What Ails Ya
by The Longest Johns

supported by 5 fans who also own “Earth's Burdens”

Okay it is too hard to choose one favorite track but Oak & Ash & Thorn is the first song of TLJ I heard and it's just THE song of the year for me. I am READY for adventures. twofeatheredarrow
go to album
Between Wind and Water
by The Longest Johns

supported by 5 fans who also own “Earth's Burdens”

Another great working song. Also 10/10 background music for gaming. the rhythm is just right. twofeatheredarrow
go to album
Long Time To Be Gone
by Nora Brown

Nora Brown continues to bring nuance and resonance to her modern interpretation of Appalachian folk and bluegrass on her latest LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 30, 2022
go to album
Wealth of Sorrow
by Cahalen Morrison

Bright and skipping songs that foreground the sound of the banjo and fingerstyle guitar in music that feels timeless. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2020
go to album
Sweet Old Religion
by Pharis & Jason Romero

Sweet harmonies & strummed melodies; the duo delve into decades-old folk, jazz, and country to find a timeless kind of love and connection. Bandcamp New & Notable May 23, 2018
go to album
Laws Of Motion
by Karine Polwart with Steven Polwart & Inge Thomson

supported by 5 fans who also own “Earth's Burdens”

Another wonderful collection from Karine. From the hauntingly beautiful to the quitetly barbed politics, Karine delivers a consistently deep and powerful album. scottish_viking
go to album