Altisidora

[Lal Waterson, Jo Freya]

Altisidora is a song by Lal Waterson about a painting of the 19^th century racehorse by a nine-year old girl.

Lal Waterson sang it, accompanied by Jo Freya on saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet, on her and her son Oliver Knight’s 1996 album Once in a Blue Moon.

Ian Carr and Karen Tweed played the tune of Altisidora on their 1997 album Fyace.

Lyrics

Lal Waterson sings Altisidora

The Altisidora
Never looked more cardinal redder,
And the cows in the meadow
Never saw so much purple heather.

I’d just like to say the sky is outrageous,
Even on a day when nature has been gracious.
And the birds and flora
Line up in twos around the border.

There’s a strawberry seller
Underneath a coloured umbrella
And a summer bride who’s
Looking surprised at her new fella

I can see a train upon a black wavy track
Up there there’s the pilot’s waving a Union Jack
And the birds and flora
Line up in twos around the border.

(Repeat first two verses)

The Altisidora painted by Laura, aged nine.