Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/21/2013:  19:28:45

Growing up in California, I was fascinated by the legendary annual return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano, a Spanish mission founded in 1776. The American Cliff Swallow is a migratory bird that spends its winters in  Argentina but makes the 6,000-mile trek north to the warmer climes in springtime. The birds have visited the San Juan Capistrano area every summer for centuries.

In this recording, I revisit a tune, "The Swallow",  I composed on my Gold Tone CEB-4 cello banjo. 

Tuning (low to high) CFCG. Two-finger picking.

Banjo Crazy PauL

The Swallow

ringtailman - Posted - 12/22/2013:  06:28:45

Paul, nice!!  This tune the way you played it like brings out the bird motoring back from Argentina with all the views while in route.

Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/22/2013:  07:03:15

Nice image. Thanks.

JanetB - Posted - 12/22/2013:  14:27:16

There's an exotic feel here, Paul.  I can see those small, quick but graceful birds all flying together before finding their landing spots.  Here's a bit of their story from an on-line source: 

 A Good Place for Cliff Swallows

The Swallow celebration began centuries ago when Mission padres observed that the birds returned each year on or about St. Joseph's Day on the church calendar, March 19. Thousands of orange-tailed migrants fly in to reclaim their old nests in the ancient arches and walls of the Mission, and to raise their young in the valley. The swallows of San Juan Capistrano made the Mission and the city world famous.



The Capistrano birds are Cliff Swallows, which have probably been returning to the area for centuries. They transferred their nests to the eaves of the Mission when it was built near two rivers. This was an ideal spot for swallows to nest and raise their young. Billions of insects necessary to their survival thrived in the open fields and wetlands near the riverbeds. And the swallows could get plenty of mud for building their nests....the swallows are Capistrano's most famous citizens. The birds are not only well known, but well loved and protected here. The city is by law a bird sanctuary.

Every year around the Day of San Juan (October 23), the famous cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano swirl into the sky and head back to their wintering grounds in Argentina, 6,000 miles south. And they faithfully return every spring in mid March. Will the tradition continue? You'll want to check the news every March 19!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/22/2013:  16:34:37

Bird songs have been a sources of inspiration for some of the loveliest fiddle tunes. 

Capistrano has a model bird/human relationship.

A bird sanctuary is a people sanctuary.

The more we can move out of our anthropocentrism, the better. 

rickhayes - Posted - 12/22/2013:  19:19:57

Another fine composition Paul.  Always enjoy them.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 12/23/2013:  07:22:44

Evocative. I could see the swallows swooping around if I closed my eyes. Excellent playing!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/23/2013:  17:20:41

Thank you, gentlemen. Your comments are very affirming. Makes me want to pick some banjo!

BBanjers - Posted - 12/24/2013:  01:36:29

Lovely tune and fantastic playing.

tfaux - Posted - 12/24/2013:  07:06:56

Great, Paul!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/24/2013:  19:46:14

I admire both of you gentlemen. Your comments are most appreciated!

banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/27/2013:  06:15:28

Paul, one of my earliest memories is of my family visiting San Juan Capistrano when the Swallows were just everywhere. My father was in the Air Force and I was 3 or 4 at the time. I have not thought of that in decades, thanks for evoking that memory.
Bill

Paul Roberts - Posted - 12/27/2013:  10:12:35

quote:

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Originally posted by banjo bill-e

Paul, one of my earliest memories is of my family visiting San Juan Capistrano when the Swallows were just everywhere. My father was in the Air Force and I was 3 or 4 at the time. I have not thought of that in decades, thanks for evoking that memory.

Bill

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Bill, your childhood swallow story epitomizes an advantage posting a tune has over live performing where one may have never heard your experience. Your relating it, deepens my own appreciation for the tune. Thank you.     

jimh269b - Posted - 12/27/2013:  11:25:17

theres another fine tune brother growl