Shadow Puppet Storyteller

Fields of Gold blown by August Winds

Soundtrack of my Life

I truly felt transported in the year Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales album was released in 1993. I was a new mum, and high school seemed far in the distance. Yet, I felt privileged to have read Chaucer back then, not in college. It meant I understood the album name reference, and I felt just a bit more connected to a a continuous story. And yet..and yet, I bring you to the doorstop not of that album, but again to The Last Ship album.

August Winds was the only song that sounded reminescent of Sting pop songs as I'd known them. All the other songs on the album surely told a solid story, but they were theatrical, and this one harkened back and clung to my skin, as I'm sure it was meant to -- like a strong navy wool coat billowing out, exposing my tapestry waistcoat with brass buttons. A total picture, one I could paint when one stands on a Summer pier...I'll have to think a bit more on why it has that effect of transporting me, or more on what I mean.


When August winds are turning
The fishing boats set out upon the sea
I watch 'til they sail out of sight
The winter follows soon
I watch them drawn into the night
Beneath the August moon
No one knows I come here
Some things I don't share
I can't explain the reasons why
It moves me close to tears
Or something in the season's change
Will find me wandering here
And in my public moments
I hear the things I say but they're not me
Perhaps I'll know before I die
Admit that there's a reason why
I count the boats returning to the sea
I count the boats returning to the sea
And in my private moments
I drop the mask that I've been forced to wear
But no one knows this secret me
Where albeit unconsciously
I count the boats returning from the sea
I count the boats returning from the sea
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gordon Sumner
August Winds lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC