FAWM: "Spires of Delight"

Spires of Delight

1 day ago by @nwhosings

Spires of Delight

nwhosings

00:00

Liner Notes

#poisonerchallenge #classical #acapella #harmonies #skillbuilding When Leslie said they were going to bring back the Poisoner Challenge, I knew immediately which plant I wanted to write about. I've loved Lupines since I was a kid, and two years ago I grew some from seed. Since then they have self-seeded all over my garden and I embrace their lovely blooms with delight. Lupines are toxic in all parts of the plant, and while it is rare for a human to ingest them, livestock of all kinds has big trouble with lupines in pasture, especially as the younger the plants are, the higher toxicity in the plant. I didn't want to write a song about that. Lupines are technically legumes, and they fix nitrogen in the soil, which is very helpful, and they are great for the bees. I got a bit inspired to create a hymn to lupines, and the harmonies that came to mind sound like they belong in a cathedral. It was fun! And it was fun to realize how much I've developed recording myself with this little setup being able to do some of these harmonies. FAWM is a great tool!

Lyrics

Spires of delight Spires of delight The world is more lovely With us in your sight Spires of delight

Seedling to blossom And blossom to seed Hillsides and ditches When summer is green

Spires of delight Spires of delight The world is more lovely With us in your sight Spires of delight

Keep us out of pasture The hoofed ones must feed We're good for the soil, But we're sneaky beans

Spires of delight Spires of delight The world is more lovely With us in your sight Spires of delight

Seedling to blossom And blossom to seed Bees love our colours We're easy to see

Spires of delight Spires of delight The world is more lovely With us in your sight Spires of delight Spires of delight

Comments

@ragbag 8h

I'm loving the different approaches to the challenge. This is soaring and sinister at the same time. I love the Acapella harmonies. 😄

@tcelliott 10h

I, too, love the harmonies. What a wash of vocals. You've nailed the poisonous challenge perfectly. Unexpected but wonderful.

@hoppiern 22h

Such complex and beautiful harmonies!! Lovely effect!! I like how this sounds medieval and modern simultaneously. Great job!!

@nwhosings 18h

Thanks! It was really fun to let the harmonies loose!

@leslie 1d

Now you have a song to sing in the garden! I love the phrase "spires of delight" - they are! Thank you for adding to the poisonous plant song repertoire. It is a very fun image to have a whole choir in a church singing hymns to honour toxic growing things.

@nwhosings 18h

Ooo, I didn't even think of that. I can sing to the lupines!

@laurenoxford 1d

now this is a “hymn” that could ONLY be written by an exvangelical 😘

nyxie i am CHEWIN’ on these crunchy harmonies 🤤 absolutely delectable, thank you for the delicious food

@nwhosings 1d

awwww, thank you! it's been a goal of mine to get as good as I can at harmonies. every year I get better. 'the exvangelical hymn-book' that should definitely be a thing!

@laurenoxford 19h

i think the exvangelical hymnal could heal me

@nwhosings 18h

<3 <3

@alyxanderjames 1d

As always, your harmonies are stunning, and I’m once again floored by your ability to sing a cappella! And I love the idea of hymns to plants. 💚

@spidersinatrenchcoat 1d

A church tune was one of the last things I was going to expect on FAWM and it's a pleasant surprise. Amazing how many toxic plants are beloved in many religions. Quite appropriate.

@nwhosings 1d

I was surprised to go this direction too! I left church behind me a long time ago.... I like your point about toxic plants having a place in religions/spiritualities.