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LATVIAN LANTERN NIGHTS

by David Heavenor

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Nick Smith
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kshema
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about

A song for Juri Greene who I used to read for in his house on Lauder Road Edinburgh as he had lost his sight. He had come to the capital after the Russians annexed Latvia and worked here for many years as a lawyer. He used to write out Latvian poetry and give me translations into English and gave me a sense of his nation's folklore and an impression of a country about which I knew nothing. He never saw Latvia regain its independence as he died before the Russians packed up and left.

lyrics

LATVIAN LANTERN NIGHTS

While you grew up behind closed doors
A red star spread its stain across your floor
The town clock cracked, you caught your breath
The city streets were jammed with noise and death
In sight of blade and belching gun
You fled your house, your land left in a ruin

Lament your sky, lament your home
Oh my dear Juri, I've always known
The cost of you lying out here in the frost

With heart still warm in Riga's chill
You made your life in this ragged citadel
This city of the seven hills
Its cobbled stones scuffed up your shoes
The scottish haar swirled down your office flue
And when dark scales closed down your sight
You dreamed in lore among Latvian lantern nights

There you were standing by the railings, blind eyes smiled at me
And now a death has made me see

Now salt flecked breezes rot your stone
The northern sun's dark cloak lies on the ground
So Juri come, rise from your grave
You have a sight to see, a flag to wave
And when we meet in my dream store
You'll walk me through the portals of an open door.

credits

released July 26, 2014
Guitar and vocals David Heavenor
All other instruments Apple Garage Band

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David Heavenor Edinburgh, UK

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David Heavenor is a Scottish singer songwriter based in Edinburgh Scotland. He has produced 8 albums plus 3 EP's.

I'm Watching Rosanna. ' An insightful song....beautifully written and observed. Iain Anderson. BBC Radio

'Jenny & the Cold Caller. One of the best songs ever written...' Ricky Ross ... more

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