Unlocked/Datgloi is an album of 10 songs, created by 10 different communities, working with 5 Live Music Now musicians, over 5 Welsh counties, strengthening connections with their local area through sung stories of local heritage.
This Tree, This Man was written in response to the heritage of Cooper's Field and the Aids Memorial Tree in Cardiff for men of the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus.
The Aids Memorial Tree is a relatively new piece of heritage, adopted by the local community who have tied red ribbons to the branches in memory of friends, family and partners who have passed away from aids. Not far away from Gorsedd Gardens where it stands is another area of green with significant memories for the LGBTQ+ community - Coopers Field.
Part of Bute Park, just behind Cardiff Castle within the city centre, Coopers Field has a long history of live events and activities, and in recent years has become part of the celebrations for Cardiff Mardi Gras and Pride festivals, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, diversity and inclusion. Established in 1999, Cardiff’s gay pride festival is held every summer in Cooper’s Field and is the largest event of its kind to take place in Wales. The first ever Gay Pride march in Wales took place in 1985 down Queen's Street.
The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is an award winning male voice choir based in Cardiff, South Wales. SWGMC launched in early 2008, founded by current musical director Andy Bulleyment. Their first Coming Out concert on home turf formed part of the Cardiff Pride Celebrations later the same year.
Jordan Price Williams is a folk musician from Cardiff who performs as part of Vri, Elfyn and No Good Boyo, mainly on cello, whistle and vocals. He has been part of Live Music Now with the chamber folk group Vri since 2016.
lyrics
This Tree, This Man
There’s a broad tree in a garden, its branches are tied with red
It stands for those we loved, and those we lost
As the trees grow green and taller
there are some who can forget
but the ones that came before know the fight, know the stand, we took. You could walk through this field and never ever know
The things happened here, not so long ago
You could walk by this tree and close your eyes instead,
To the things it's seen, the lives that have been,
the paths that have been tread.
There’s a tree in another garden with roots deep in the earth
thousands of us have walked right past, our minds full of shame.
But underneath the greenest branches we love and dance and drink,
we raise each other up we raise our heads and hearts
we march for lives to come and lives since passed
We raise our heads, we raise our hearts, we march for lives since passed.
But you can walk these trails now, in a new and greening world
you can walk past this man, walk past that man,
never know the roots he put down.
You could walk through this field and never ever know
The things happened here, not so long ago
You could walk by this tree and close your eyes instead,
to the things it's seen, the lives that have been,
the paths that have been tread.
You could walk through this field and never ever know
The things that happened here, not so long ago
You could walk by this tree and close your eyes instead,
to the things it’s seen, the lives that have been,
the leaves turned green, the joy it’s seen.
credits
from Unlocked / Datgloi,
released July 30, 2021
Jordan Price Williams - vocals, piano, cello
South Wales Gay Men's Chorus - choir vocals
Live Music Now is the UK's leading musicians development and outreach charity, bringing exceptional live music to communities who wouldn't normally be able to access it. www.livemusicnow.org.uk
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