Catch 22, go along with them
Takes the pressure off, find a friend
They don’t understand, I worry what they think
But I’ll find a reason to smile
Through my window
Everyday tasks, I play the game
How you see me, it’s not the same
You’re outside looking in; I’m inside looking out
But I’ll find a reason to smile
Through my window
Our stories merge, step by step
Find a way to ask, we all need help
I can be strong, I can fall apart
But I’ll find a reason to smile
Through my window
D.E.M.E.N.T.I.A.
D is for how this DEBILITATES life
E is how ENDLESS it seems through the night
M are the MEMORIES locked in the dark
EXASPERATION, fuelled by a spark
N is this NASTY and spiteful disease
It TERRIFIES sending us to our knees
Our INABILITY to take any more, but still we
ACCEPT that we fight in this war.
S is the SNAPSHOT most people see
N is for ‘NOTHING’S the matter with me’
A is the ‘ALL is ok’ on my face
P are the PROMISES time can’t erase
S is for those who STEP in our shoes
H is the HELP they bring for our blues
O is an OFFERING of one extra mile
T is for THOSE we’ve not seen for a while
It feels like we’re finding our way
Through the familiar and strange
Holding on to the laughter
Each moment after things change
Watch the World Go By
I love to sit and watch the world go by
Down by the water
Staring at the sky
Letting go of real life
Find a quiet place
Nothing to distract,
A smile upon my face
I love to sit and watch the world go by
Down by the water
Staring at the sky
I go there for an hour
Sometimes two or three
When I turn and head for home
Those hours they strengthen me
CWTCH
Lazy Sunday morning
Snuggled up in bed
Talking silly nonsense
As we plan our day ahead
Halfway through the day
We need a little hug
Wrap my arms around you
Lovely warm and snug
Any time any place
Cuddles are always free
Protecting, reassuring
Just like a cwtch should be
It’s a cwtch, it’s a cuddle, it’s a hug
It’s a cwtch, it’s a cuddle, it’s a hug
It’s a cwtch, it’s a cuddle, it’s a hug
Two People Together
Cuddled up together
Our hearts, they beat as one
Soul mates now and ever
Taking each day as it comes
Every day a heartache
Every night awake
Losing you completely
As you slowly fade away
Two people together
Living for today
Two people forever
Lovers in every way
Two people together
Living for today
Two people forever
Lovers in every way
Burnt Toast
Burnt Toast burnt toast
You’re making me late
I don’t want to eat burnt toast
And I’m running around
Breakfast in the morning
Porridge, oats, and milk
Breakfast in the morning
Porridge, oats, and milk
Salt or sugar (just the way I like it)
Got up this morning
Feeling fine
Got up this morning
Feeling fine
So much to do
So little time
Cracks
Light breaks through
First thought in my head
Know I need to move
Can’t I stay here instead
I’ll wait for you
Then I’ll know
Good or bad,
How today will go
Build the life
Feed the soul
Make it here
Make it whole
Hold it close
Hold it dear
Keep you safe
Keep you near
I go downstairs
Maybe I’ll take five
A cup of tea
Would be nice
You sit and read
I’ll give you space
As we learn to live
Side by side in this place
Build the life
Feed the soul
Make it here
Make it whole
Hold it close
Hold it dear
Keep you safe
Keep you near
Weary now
Days, weeks, years
Feel the weight
Won’t let the cracks appear
WHAT IS REAL
Until you walk in my shoes, how can you know how I feel
When you follow my path, you’ll see what is real
You only see, a snapshot of me
‘Cos I’m hiding my soul from the world
And if you listen close and make believe
You might hear my story unfurl
You welcome me with a warm embrace
And so, the stories begin
Presenting you with a painted face
Welcome to the world I’m in
Bridge
Silent footsteps; taps on walls.
Can you hear me? Or not at all?
about
“Through My Window” was created by Acorn Shed Music in partnership with carers attending St Andrew’s Church of Scotland dementia hub, based in Carluke and it was supported by funding from Life Changes Trust.
Building on the success of previous work in Glasgow, Acorn Shed Music were able to bring their collaborative, creative and caring approach to Lanarkshire which complemented and supported some of the group’s existing activities. This offered a unique creative outlet for carers to express their feelings about the challenges that they were facing but also to reflect on positive moments when supporting a loved one living with dementia.
This was of particular value to the group as we had only recently started meeting in person at workshops following the pandemic. We spent the early part of these sessions exploring together the impact of the pandemic on carers and their families.
Carers and songwriters continued to work together over the course of a year, and we created the space where people could connect with each other and talk about what was important to them both during and following the pandemic.
We have, as a group, created several poems and songs based on the stories that emerged from our time together and as we shared our thoughts and feelings with each other, we found many common threads.
We hope you enjoy these songs and that you can uncover your own shared meaning in our words and music.
With thanks to: Life Changes Trust; St Andrews Church of Scotland Dementia Hub staff, volunteers, and carers.
With special thanks to: Kate, Malcolm, Margaret, Julia, Isabel, Helen, Georgina, Debbie, Allison, Anne, Agnes, Jim, Ursula, Helena, Jessie, and Alicia.
credits
released August 30, 2022
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Andrew Howie
Recorded by Andrew Howie, Carol Beckwith & Philip Beckwith
Design and layout by Ruari Beckwith
Cover Image by Kristina Tripkovic/Unsplash
Photographs by Acorn Shed Music
With funding from Life Changes Trust
Vocals: Kate Nisbet, Malcom Topper, Margaret Singleton, Julia Neilson, Isabel McDonald, Helen O’Hara, Georgina O’Brien, Debbie Lennox, Allison Dunlop, Anne Russell, Agnes Ramsay, Jim Dyer, Ursula Mackintosh, Helena McCulloch, Jessie Armstrong, Alicia Dibdin, Pauline Walmsley, Carol Beckwith
Piano: Maria Quinn
Guitar: Pauline Walmsley, Carol Beckwith
Ukulele: Malcolm Topper, Jim Dyer, Pauline Walmsley
Additional Instrumentation: Andrew Howie
Drums & Percussion: Carol Beckwith
Acorn Shed Music is a Scottish arts organisation that uses group songwriting to explore difficult conversations. We aim to promote better health and wellbeing through storytelling and music. Our aim is to amplify unheard voices.
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