He came from out of nowhere

On a silent wind

A lull to dull the senses

Before a storm begins

His heart was strong

His resolve was tough

That no back-stabbing butchers’ knives

Could ever hope to pierce

Throughout their miserable lives

Beneath the cloak

Beneath the hood

A powerful force of nature stood

He crossed the Bridge of Success

On a single coin’s good luck

He built his wealth on property

On coal-mines and livestock

Beside him in his mansion

His woman stood strong and sleek

Whilst the almshouse that he built

Showed compassion for the meek

Beneath the cloak

Beneath the hood

Was a power for the greater good

No portraits hung, no songs were sung

For this man of mystery

With all knowledge and all memory

Swallowed by History

He came, he chanced, he conquered

Till at last his ghost dispersed

On another silent wind

That blew in unrehearsed

Beneath the cloak

Beneath the hood

Strong the mind, the spirit and the blood

(Gary Miller)

© 2018 Whippet Records

Copyright Control MCPS/PRS

This song was commissioned and specially-written for the upcoming project 'The Butcher Baronet', in collaboration with Lone Pine Pictures, about the 17th Century Durham City historical figure John Duck.

Other songs and tunes from this project include : -

'The Beer Token'

'Behind the Wall'

'The Butcher Baronet'

'Ca' Hawkie'

'Cast Out'

'City of Dreams'

'Duck's Overture'

'Dunholm'

'Elementary (Turn, Turn Again)'

'Flesh and Bone'

'Fortune Weaver'

'Go Away!'

'Golden Journey: Through Air / Over Water / To Earth / On Fire'

'Here's to You, John Duck!'

'Hold on'

'John's Jacobus (Inscription)'

'Merrily Danced The Butcher's Wife'

'My Butcher Boy'

'Now I Dream'

'Old Duck's Main'

'Old Duck's Rant'

'Rolling on (A Hymn for John and Ann)'

'Shiny Thing'

'Top of the Hill'

'We Don't Talk About Him 'Round Here'