July 2010 AoM

The first EVER UK Art of Mentoring was held in July 2010 in Worcester.

A highlight that came out of the week was the creation of a song that’s since traveled around the world through oral tradition…

Here’s Mark Morey telling the story to those at the first AoM in Ontario and then sharing the song:

The song has evolved a little but here’s a version of the lyrics:

White Horse Bridge

This is the land of the long setting sun
Connecting my people as tribes, has begun
Come together as one

Dream of our life that’s awaiting
Dream now awake
See skylarks and white horses meeting
Calling our name

Wheels within wheels
We spiral around
Soaring through sky
And rooting in ground
Come together as one

Come from the hedgerows and hillsides
Weaving wild webs cross the land
Peacemaking spirit awoken
Calling our name

 

The music and lyrics of White Horse Bridge were written by participants at the UK’s first Art of Mentoring in Worcester 2010.  Like all good creation stories, most folk have a varying version..   So here is my best rendition.  Participants were asked to bring poems and images back from their day of wandering on the land, these symbols were brought together in an exercise were people were blind folded, music was played to them and they spoke the images in their hearts.  A handful of seasoned musicians from UK and US then got together and collated the imagery and soundscape into the now well loved ‘White horse bridge’.  It was after writing the song that the image of the Uffington white horse, carved out by our ancestors over 3,000 ago called to us and spoke through the song.  I have since heard of at least 3 different versions of the song, in different land masses, with different local heritage species being celebrated – but the same tune galloping through. Beautiful.

Click these links for more info: National Trust-White Horse          Wiki-White Horse

We were hosted for the week in 2010 by Green and Away, in Worcestershire for the week which is an inspiring eco-venue worth checking out.