For many years I've sung Michael Kelly Blanchard's classic song "Then the Quail Came" on important occasions - farewells, commissionings, ordinations and, a few times, funerals. In 2008 I included it in one of my presentations to the National Uniting Church Ministers' conferences, called by the President, Gregor Henderson. I've often been asked for a recording of the song but have never done anything about it.
However, during the lunch break on the first day of the Boxing Day test I took the plunge and did a quick recording of it at home. Then in the same break on the second day I did a rough mix. I'm way beyond my core competencies here but, for what it's worth, I've uploaded that version for anyone who's interested.
Michael kindly gave me permission to post the song. You can follow up his amazingly rich writing, recording and touring schedule at www.michaelkellyblanchard.com
Enjoy!
Hi Andrew
I have used this wonderful song since PP and Mary days at special events.
I built my farewell service at Brougham Place around it. Thanks
Posted by: Ken Anderson | December 29, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Hi Ken
Yes, it's good for farewells...and welcomes. Your reference to Peter Paul & Mary reminded me that Michael emailed a couple of days ago and said, "The harmonica at the end [of my version of the song] reminded me, in evoking camp fire memories, of a clever intro Noel Stookey gave to the Quail Song years ago. He enjoined the audience to remember the worst camping trip they'd ever been on then multiply by forty years to give some pertinent human context to the song he was about to sing. :-)"
I thought you'd like the camping reference too.
Posted by: Andrew | January 02, 2010 at 11:12 PM