Winter’s sorrows cast such long shadows, the weariness of a grief that you cannot find your way out of. And yet, within the darkness of the howling night there is a point where you lie exhausted within the depth of your sadness and finally lay the seeds of love lost down within the snow to find their way back to spring.

Originally The Juniper had an extra verse where at this point there is only an instrumental section. When Doug and I were first looking at this song, we both agreed that it needed a little bit of space within without the voice. In between the 3rd chorus and 4th chorus seemed to be the best place. What is ironic is that the lyrics we cut were the most evocative of what I was feeling when I wrote this song. The lyrics are included below

Oh the Juniper she’s rooted strong
Shelters all in dark earth song.
She holds you tight within her deep,
So weep, just sleep.

Written in September of 2006

When the west winds blow
You know, you just know
That winters a`coming
And with it snow

Oh the Juniper she stands alone
Through Decembers howling moans
So lay your sorrows down to seed
And grieve, just breathe

When the trees are bare
And the heart it despairs
As winter, it`s here now
And you’re not prepared

Oh the Juniper she bears the thorn
Gentle `gainst the coming storm
She stands amidst the raging sky
So sigh, just cry

When the darkness comes
You want to succumb
As winters` unending
Sun can’t be found

When the storm is through
What`s left to rue
As winters` releasing
Time to renew

Oh the Juniper she stands so fair
Needled crown within her hair
So, lay your seed, release your pain
Spring comes again

This piece blends Celtic music with classical quite effortlessly. It has a fresh inspiring sound that makes the listener stop dead in their tracks. Sora sings about winter, snow and ragging storms leading to spring ‘so lay your seed, release your pain, spring comes again’. Sora is a great story teller using music to fuse her words together. She uses her words and music to let people know what it means to be human. This opening piece is haunting and has a ghost like quality. In seconds the listener is transported to a mysterious magical place where they can watch secretly as the story unfolds from afar. Personally for me the best song on the EP, this is a powerful piece that evokes all sorts of feelings and emotions. The lyrics of this song represent immense grief. Juniper is the metaphor for both despair and hope. - Sara Hunt