Story Behind The Song
This song is for all my friends in Kazakhstan, where I've been visiting over the past few years while working on a project. It is played on a dombra (or dombyra), a Kazakh "lute" that is very ancient but still the national instrument of Kazakhstan. Traditionally, during courtship, any Kazakh worth their salt would be expected to compose a love song accompanied by the dombra as an expression of love. This is my take on that tradition, the lyrics incorporating traditional Kazakh imagery.
This was recorded "live" at home--me playing the dombra and singing on a single take of a stereo track (see the video!). I later added an additional dombra track to thicken the rhythms (the percussion is just me knocking on the dombra top). I also added a discrete bass line and the electric guitar--making this, I guess, an "alternative dombra" track.
--The guitar is my '78 Guild S-60
--The dombra is made of birch with a Tien Shan spruce top.
Many thanks to Laura Paluanova and her husband Oscar for helping me select my dombra in Kazakhstan and for Laura's instruction and her wonderful playing!
Here's an example of a beautiful Kazakh song with dombra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVXUmbnMIFM
| Song Length |
2:53 |
Genre |
World - General, World - General |
| Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
Language |
English |
Lyrics
The Winged Horse of Love
Words & music by Timothy Walsh
See the eagle flying through the sky--
that's how my love soars when you're by.
Please don't go away and leave me here.
I'm just so afraid you'll...disappear.
CHORUS: Something 'bout the way you move through the air
just wants to make me stop and stare.
It's the winged horse of love that I ride,
and I want to make you my bride.
Like a snow leopard in the night,
I can sense you when you're out of sight.
I can't seem to get you off my mind.
I just want to be with you...all the time.
CHORUS: Something 'bout the way you move through the air...etc.
In the moonlight I see you clear.
Your eyes' starlight is twice as dear.
Won't you climb up in this saddle now--
fly with me across the mountain's brow?
CHORUS: Something 'bout the way you move through the air...etc
*****Words & Music by Timothy Walsh
This track is on 2 Member Playlists