Some things only happen because a place allows them.
The origin of the song
Ancient Stones was written and sung by Jane Harris while staying on Lundy Island, accompanied in song by Elsbeth. It is a piece shaped not in a studio. Instead, it was formed through time spent embodied walking amongst the standing stones. The artists paused and listened to the stones, to the weather, and to the island’s long, quiet presence.
Lundy’s granite has a way of slowing people down. The island asks you to notice what is underfoot, to pay attention to texture, weight and time. Stone is everywhere here. It resides in walls, paths, landmarks, and cliffs. It holds stories of labour, shelter, navigation, and memory. It is no surprise that sound and song sometimes rise out of these encounters. They emerge as a response rather than a performance.
Collaboration
This song emerged from that attentive way of being on the island. It would not have happened without the delightful Simon Dell. His encouragement and openness helped create the conditions for it to unfold. Creative moments like this are rarely solitary. They are nurtured by conversation and shared walks. There is also a willingness to linger rather than rush on.
My thanks also go to everyone who has taken part in my stone walks on Lundy over time. These walks invite people to move slowly through the landscape. They encourage touching stone and listening closely. Participants think about how their bodies respond to place. The outcomes are often quiet and personal. They sometimes ripple outward into drawings, maps, words, or, as here, song.
Finally, thank you to Joe Parker for his help in bringing the video together. His assistance allows the song to be shared beyond the island itself.
You can listen to Ancient Stones here:
In a place with no television, limited connectivity, and little commercial distraction, creativity often surfaces in unexpected ways. Ancient Stones is a small example of Lundy’s commitment to providing space. It is not just for retreat, but also for making, noticing, and responding.
