Bill Staines Song For Tingmissartoq Lyrics

They looked from the side of the plane to the water below
Fresh out of Spain with the wind at their backs in a blow
Africa's coast rolling by, under the blue of the clearest of skies
I can see them then, the fire of adventure, the dreamers again
And to this I sing
And wait for the wind that lifted Tingmissartoq's wing
Little stone houses, like pebbles that dotted the sand
Far island harbors, looking for somewhere to land
Then up with the moon in the night, the din of the engine, the cabin's thin light
I can still hear the radio calling, the tower on the hill, And for this I sing
And wait for the wind that lifted Tingmissartoq's wing

Then up to the north and the Orient late one July
Tingmissartoq comes all the Eskimo people would cry
Siberia's coast on the run, then deep into China they followed the sun I can see them then, the fire of adventure, the dreamers again
And for this I sing
And wait for the wind that lifted Tingmissartoq's wing

Two with the heart of one and with the wind and water
America's favorite son in love with the statesman's daughter
Two with the heart of one and one with the dream of ages
He had a way with wings, she had a way with words

They looked from the side of the plane to the waters below
Fresh out of Spain with the wind at their backs in a blow
And I was along for the ride, up into the sun and I opened my eyes
And for this I sing
As I wait for the wind that lifted Tingmissartoq's wing
And for this I sing
As I wait for the wind that lifted Tingmissartoq's wing