“Runes of Time” began as a meditative piece for Celtic harp composed of hypnotic repetitions of three notes and then embellished with the addition of complementary rhythms until the bones of a tune began to emerge. The lyrics were inspired by my friend Alan Tomlinson (artist and photographer) who sent me photographs of beech trees adorned with names and initials carved into the bark. These images prompted me to consider them as modern runes, a practice dating back throughout human history and offering a means of undertaking timeless communications. The video accompanying the ballad contains images of ancient paintings, runes, plus a variety of carvings cut into stone and bough. I recorded this song close to the occasion of my 69th birthday to serve as a personal memento using Celtic harp, tanpura, finger cymbals and voice.
