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about
“Ursa Minor” is the most recently written of all the songs on The Long Way Out. It was originally commissioned by the fantastic folks who run The Encyclopedia Show: Somerville, which is a variety show which endeavors to present information on a given topic through performances by artists of all kinds. A diligent fact-checker makes sure that the information presented is indeed true. I was asked to be a part of the first Encyclopedia Show in Somerville (there are Encyclopedia Shows in different cities throughout the country), and the topic of that show was bears. I was assigned the subtopic of Ursa Minor, which I was grateful to use as a point of inspiration.
lyrics
Ursa Minor
“Go North,” you heard someone say.
“Leave in the dark.” (Though you’d been told
travel by day.)
They always thought you were too small,
too timid to make any bold,
gutsy move at all.
Ursa Minor, she will find her way,
Ursa Minor, she will find her way.
Bernadette knew what she saw was real.
She dug in the dirt to find
waters that heal.
They didn’t believe her,
they thought she was crazy.
Brave bear, little bear,
brave bear, little bear.
Ursa Minor, she will find her way,
Ursa Minor, she will find her way.
In your heart there is a needle,
it will not lead you astray.
Polaris is within you;
let it help you find your way.
One foot in front of the other,
skipping over roots that scar.
Running now you find your rhythm,
leaping off into the stars...
credits
from The Long Way Out,
released June 7, 2013
Petaluma Vale: harp, vocals
Valerie Thompson: cello
Singer and keyboardist Mali Sastri is the mastermind behind "Jaggery", and usually it's her who writes the songs. This album is an exception - here, the band plays compositions by Michael J. Veloso, based on poems by Jane Kenyon. A different creative force - but, in fact, fully compatible with the band's usual musical approach. Sven B. Schreiber (sbs)
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
A gorgeous journey through a kaleidoscopic array of sonic approaches melted together that feels old and new at the same time. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2024
I've let this sit in my collection only fleetingly heard. Today I put it on and it blew me away. Great music, intriguing lyrics. I must give it more attention. Don Mitchell