Sam Lee – Heartwood
News
For World Environment Day & Nature Unwrapped, the Mercury Prize nominated folk singer and conservationist premieres new song ‘Heartwood’ – a setting of Robert Macfarlane’s poem written in homage to the Sheffield street tree scandal.
‘Heartwood’ – written by Robert MacFarlane
Arranged and performed by Sam Lee (vocals) & James Keay (piano)
Introduction by Sam Lee
‘This ‘charm’, as Rob refers to this exquisite ode, was written in homage to the Sheffield street tree scandal when the local council signed of the removal of tens of thousands of street trees to avoid the cost of ongoing upkeep and maintenance they required. The people of Sheffield rose up and defended their street companions in an extraordinary display of compassionate bravery and law breaking in defence of their neighbourhood. The stories that grew out of this domestic uprising will be told for generations and their legal battle to save their trees was eventually won and their activism deemed legitimate in court. This charm speaks to the essence of what was felt by every tree defender who faced off the attempts of police and tree surgeons to destroy these kingdoms of life. It questions the implication of what such wanton destruction involves and the power of trees to inhabit both our world physically but also sensuously and spiritually.’
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