A-Z Series 5: E Is for Elderberry, the Dark Purple Berry Subject: The traditional use of elderberry, its rich anthocyanin pigment, and safety considerations regarding raw plant parts. Musical Style: [Celtic folk, ~110 BPM. Features a lively fiddle, driving bodhrán drum, acoustic guitar, and a warm, storyteller vocal with a harvest-kitchen feel.] Lyrics: [Intro: Lively fiddle melody over driving bodhrán heartbeat.] [Verse 1] Out in the hedgerow, the purple berries gleam Heavy on the branches by the cold autumn stream Gather them up for the syrup and the jam A tradition of the ages passed from woman and man. [Chorus] Oh, the dark purple berry, anthocyanin rich! Boiling in the kettle at the highest of pitch Never eat the leaves or the stems or the raw Cook the elderberry by the harvest law! [Verse 2] From the Western Asia mountains to the European wood The elder tree gives us what is purple and good A folk tradition simmering upon the kitchen fire Bringing the comfort when the winter days tire. [Outro] Songs That Supplement... keep the kettle warm... (Fiddle fades out over a final drum hit)
