Watergrove Farm

from Moorscape - Album by John Reed

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about

WATERGROVE FARM was once located in the valley near to the village of Watergrove near Rochdale. As Greater Manchester’s industrial population grew and its population demanded more fresh water, the valley was flooded to create Watergrove Reservoir, and the farm was moved to its current location. The chorus starts with the first line of the last hymn sung at the Church before it was inundated.

lyrics

WATERGROVE FARM

The world beneath is not seen now
Where cattle grazed and farmers ploughed,
The sweat and the labour of the weaving mills
The Church and the Orchard at the foot of the hills
These days it takes a drought to see
The lives once lived, the deserted streets
And the ghosts of workers, arm in arm
As they made for the fields at Watergrove Farm

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
Was the last rendition by the Wesleyans
Two hundred villagers were sent abroad
As the sluice gates opened for the valley to flood

The rising warm air from the coast
Darkens rainclouds from the west
That hurl their venom on the higher peaks
To gather in gullies, channels and creeks
And Higher Slack and Wardle streams
Pool their force for the water wheels
And to feed the land as the village sleeps
And cut their valleys deep

And Ramsden Road
And Bowers Row
Sheltered and sunk
Beneath the overflow

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
Was the last rendition by the Wesleyans
Two hundred villagers were sent abroad
As the sluice gates opened for the valley to flood

Mirror clouds on waters still
The sluices metering the spill
The pumping station hums its tune
Till sunset and the rising moon
These days it takes a drought to see
The lives once lived, the deserted streets
And the ghosts of workers, arm in arm
As they made for the fields at Watergrove Farm

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”
Was the last rendition by the Wesleyans
Two hundred villagers were sent abroad
And the sluice gates opened for the valley to flood

credits

from Moorscape - Album, track released April 4, 2016
JOHN REED: Cittern, 12 String Guitar, Vocals
KIERAN HEANEY: Bass Guitar
HEYGAMAL: Production

© Lyrics and music to all songs copyright John Reed 2016. All Rights Reserved

All recordings © and ℗ ND4PRM 2016

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John Reed Manchester, UK

John is a Blackpool born singer-songwriter from Manchester whose songs cover themes of social injustice, environment, politics, and life

In 2020, John joined producer Ali Karim and Jo Beth Young in releasing "The Peasants' Revolt" (as NIGHTSONG) in December 2020.

His new album in collaboration with Ali Karim "Breathe" will be released on 1st October 2021. Look out for the full album YouTube! ... more

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