Pamme Swan: Swan Songs

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I've been doing a lot of reading this summer boning up on the many people that color the rich tapestry of history in the Adirondack mountains. After reading Noah John Rondeau Adirondack Hermit by Maitland C. De Sormo, I was inspired to write this story song for my performances this up coming summer at the Big Moose Inn. To help keep the spirit of Noah John alive in the hearts of mountain lovers and spirit of Noah John alive in the Adirondack wilderness.

Recorded at The Rich Grant Studio Hamilton NY
Anne Leone on violin
Up the River Cold
A song for Noah John Rondeau

Noah John Adirondack man
Chose a solitary life few would understand
He left home on Jackson Hill in 1898
From the whip of his father to his isolated fate

Bonafide hermit was no pre-meditation
All he wanted was a fair wage and a good education
He left Big Fool American Buissness and organized religon
In a Sunday suit of deerskin went into hibernation

Noah John Noah John You have come to me
In your Everlasting stew and your eternity tea
Calendars set by stars and diaries in code
Thirty years of isoloation up the river cold

Living at Corey's he met the likes of Indian Dan
A hunter, A trapper, A fine fisherman
They wove sweet grass blankets and balsam pillows
Taught Noah the woodlore with bows and arrows

Abandoned blacksmith shop of Santa Clara Lumber
Noah built Cold River City in the town hall he would slumber
He lived in Firewood wigwams population one
Read books of astrology under a ice blue winter sun

Noah John Noah John You have come to me
I hear your violin and read your mountain poetry
Calendars set by stars and diaries in code
Thirty years of isolation up the river cold

With Doctors,and Loggers and Forty Sixers for friends
How could this man survive without a five and ten
From Monkeydom to Hermitdom they hiked with a cake
In from Plumleys general store 11 miles from Long Lake

A helicopter lifted Noah to his fame in New York City
With props from the wilderness gained much publicity
The novelty wore off Noah left the city streets
Back to Cold River and his primitve peace

No dogs on every corner No church bells in his ear
Just Junkos and Sparrows Night hawks and deer
Blue Mountain has him now and all his stories told
The life of Noah John Rondeau up the River cold

Noah John Noah John You have come to me
In the flora and the fauna of this mysterious beauty
Calendars set by stars and diaries in code
Thirty years of islolation up the river cold

Thirty years of isolation up the river cold