estdeus_innobis | O the rising of the sun / And the running of the deer (con't)

Christmas Morning

Kate and Tess have woken up together and made breakfast; at the same time, Johnny and Damien have also awoken to join them for Christmas morning, both feeling a little nervous about being around others as a couple. Breakfast is served, and everyone is sitting down to the meal.

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Kate smiles as she pours out juice fer everyone, t'go with our coffee. "I do know Luke a little. He's a very polite young man; I like him." I duck my head in a nod as I pour syrup over my pancakes. "Yeah, he's real nice." She pauses and adds "The tavern sounds lovely. I've never been much for visiting ale houses, but maybe I should stop by and wish them well."

I blink a bit at that, but I guess it is hard t'picture Kate hangin' 'round the Tavern with a beer in her hand. "'F you go earlier it ain't rowdy, and they do have food now," I tell her.

She asks Damien how their work's goin', and they look 'way from Tess t'answer. Tess is frownin' a little and I catch her eye 'n glare, 'cause I bet she's bin givin' Damien a hard time. "Are you back t'work soon?" I ask Tess.

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I watch Damien as they get their guitar 'n start tunin' it. I sit myself down next t'their chair, so I ain't in their way 'n ain't gettin' the music right in my ear.

"All right, ff no one picks a tune, I'll play the oldest one I know in the hopes that that will do." Tess glances over at me from where she 'n Kate are sittin' close together. "D'you know 'Adam Lay Ybounden'?" she asks Damien. "We usually do it in a round - 'f you dunt know it Johnny 'n I could start, and you could pick it up."

I nod slow. "Yeah - it's pretty simple too, and you repeat it 'till you get sick 'a singin' it, so you'd be able t'pick it up 'afore we started makin' it more complex." We've done it in three parts sometimes, in pairs 'a girls 'n boys, with Pa keepin' time.

Tess and Kate settle on the sofa together, and John settles himself next to my chair. Tess thinks for a bit while Johnny and I get settled in and i'm just about ready when she asks,'you know 'Adam Lay Ybounden'? We usually do it in a round - 'f you dunt know it Johnny 'n I could start, and you could pick it up.

I smile as Johnny nods agreement. Yeah - it's pretty simple too, and you repeat it 'till you get sick 'a singin' it, so you'd be able t'pick it up 'afore we started makin' it more complex.

"I know a version of it. Learned it not that long ago before I came down the river."

Didn't learn too many folk songs in the city, had to get out of there to learn much of that. And then it was more because that was what the audience wanted than because I really wanted to learn it. But now that I know Johnny likes to sing them. Well it gives more meaning and depth to them.

I start off easy and slow with the intro, waiting for Johnny to start his part. I hope his sister lets him get a full round in before she starts. I want to hear his voice to my music.

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter,
Thought he not too long.

It's a pretty song, and sad. I don't know it, but I think how maybe Tess and Johnny sang it as children, and that makes me smile and lean into Tess. And Damien has a pleasant, light voice. This is really turning out to be a very nice day.

I'm surprised Damien knows it, but it ain't such a rare song 'round here. "I know a version of it. Learned it not that long ago before I came down the river."

They start playin' as Johnny starts singin', goin' through the whole thing once 'afore I start, my voice higher 'n Johnny's but a bit fuller.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took.
As clerkes finden,
Written in their book.

Kate snugs close and I smile though the song 'n put an arm 'round her.

Damien plays a few chords and I start singin' on the upbeat, holdin' my spine straight and tiltin' my chin up proper. Tess looks amused, but she's got better sound 'n me so I got t'do more.

Ne had the apple taken been,
The apple taken been,
Ne had never our ladie,
Abeen heav'ne queen.

Tess gives me a chance t'sing it all on my own, my light tenor soundin' loud in the still apartment, and then she starts on the second verse. I only half hear her, concentratin' on my part, and I hook my arm 'round Damien's leg as Tess holds Kate. It's easy t'sing the song brighter 'n we usually do, this mornin'.

Johnny has a nice voice, light tenor, and his singing is very careful. Tess joins in as I hoped after letting him do the first run through on his own. Her voice is higher but fuller. I adjust both my playing and my voice to better blend the three of us. With Kate the only one not singing it feels a bit odd like a cross between a private performance and a jam session.

I can see Tess' arm around Kate and a moment later, feel John's arm around my leg. I have an urge to lean over and kiss his ear, but don't because that would interfere with the song. but I do smile and slant a look in his direction. I'll wait til we finish. Won't be long I think, I can feel an end point coming up.

The afternoon passes pleasantly in songs and conversation, and then Tess and I go to the kitchen to get dinner things ready. The goose tastes good, skin crisp and meat soft, and the vegetables come out gleaming. It's a hearty meal, and afterward it's nice to sit by the fireplace and talk a little and rest, the smell of roast meat and spices in the air.

Tess and I wave Johnny and Damien goodbye, and as they walk through the snow we go back upstairs, and I put my arms round Tess and smile.

"This has been the happiest Christmas I've known in a long time," I say, and it's true.

O the rising of the sun / And the running of the deer (con't)

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