So Near Yet So Far

The first song from  Stone Owl on the Shore

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A bang, a shimmy, shakes our tiny space
We’ve had a problem, Houston, no-one’s had to face
Look out of the porthole at the Moon’s unblinking eye
A billion hearts are praying
We feel every word they’re saying
We will refuse
We will refuse
We will refuse this chance to die

So near yet so far
So near yet so far
So near yet so far
Back to Earth we are descending
Touch not the moon my dreams are ending
So near yet so far

My fears condensing on the instruments
The dials and switches, sing a sad lament
Our minds together, our brains are sharpened knives
Pencil paper slide rule flashing
Numbers multiply dividing
We calculate
We calculate
We calculate to save our lives

Face pressed to the glass,
The moon looks so beautiful.
Hidden from Earth,
We are alone
We are alone with our thoughts.

A slingshot ride back towards our roots
I’m not to feel the dust beneath my boots
We’re a falling star, set in the sky above
There’ll be no lunar landing
My family, I’m returning
We’re coming home,
Yes we’re coming home,
I’m coming home to you my love

So near yet so far
So near yet so far
So near yet so far
Back to Earth we are descending
Touch not the moon my dreams are ending
So near yet so far
Words and Music: Noel Chidwick

Apollo 13, the third lunar mission, was launched on 11th April 1970. Two days later, there was an explosion in the oxygen tanks, and the mission was aborted.

The  commander was Jim Lovell. He had promised his wife, Marilyn, that this would be his last space journey. He held true to his word, and Jim Lovell never felt the moon dust beneath his boots.

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Sailing the Painted Ocean

Noel Chidwick: lead vocals, Variax guitar, eggs

Mark Toner: electric guitar, backing vocals

Jenny Johnson: backing vocals

Alex Cook: djembe

Quasar One: synthesisers

Recorded and mixed by Noel Chidwick and Mark Toner at Fireside Studios

Mastered by 7th Harmonic Studios (Paul Wishart)

 Artwork & video: Mark Toner

Available from  your favourite online music shops

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