November | RobbinSongs

November

Robbin Ahrold

On a brisk November eve

Winds take what’s left of autumn’s leaves

The sun slants down its final rays

We say goodbye to warmer days

I take your hand, and draw you near

Give thanks for blessings through the year

For home and friends, joys great and small

November celebrates them all

A steeple bell above the lane

Calls out a holiday refrain

As dusk descends with one bright star

The Christmas season can’t be far

We wrap our scarves up to the chin

Turn collars up against the wind

The smell of chestnuts fills the air

November’s gifts are everywhere

September gives us leaves of gold

October, Indian Summer strolls

And as the calendar winds down

We gather back in our hometown

With joyful song we raise a toast

To those whose love we treasure most

With this, the rarest gift of all

November closes out the fall

As children race the path ahead

Soon darkness bids them all to bed

Their laughter echoes as they play

And leads us homeward on our way

Candles gleam in windows bright

Deep within this starry night

One season ends, and one awaits

All pass through November’s gates

About the Song

This song had one of the longest gestations of any in my repertoire. Always wanted to write a holiday song, capturing the magic of the Christmas season; the joy of seeing it through the eyes of children; the sights and sounds of the impending holiday in small town America. Originally written as a poem “Walking Home: A Prayer of Thanks” in November 2016, transitioned to a song in late 2017, and really took on life as a celebration of the holiday season as “November” in December 2018. First demos in early 2019, and, working with Denis Thuillier, created a choral arrangement for four voices that spring in Paris. One of the few works in my repertoire for which I have finished sheet music, in this case for the choral arrangement. Finalized the demo on this CD in June 2020, with Denis contributing the harmony vocals.

Credits

Music. lyrics and lead vocal by Robbin Ahrold, choral arrangement and harmony vocals by Denis Thuillier. Organ and piano by Brian Simms. Recorded at Recording Arts Studios May and June 2020.

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