We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Joyful Banner Blazing

from Joyful Banner Blazing by Maria Dunn

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 CAD  or more

     

about

My Aunt Cecily Dunn devoted her life to working with young people and their families. During her 32 years in Bermondsey, London, England, she founded the Bosco Centre, building a daycare, youth centre and college. A Salesian Sister, she earned the moniker “The Flying Nun” by going out and about on her scooter, meeting and working with people in the community. Her motto and message to young people: “You are young, you are precious, you are loved”. When she died a few years ago and the funeral car was taking her body from the convent to the church, the people of the community lined the roadway. With great affection, respect, and a playfulness she would have delighted in, they sang one of her favourite folk songs: She’ll Be Comin’ Round The Mountain.

lyrics

1. Joyful Banner Blazing
© Maria Dunn, 2016

In streets where no one’s path is smooth
Polish rare as Sunday shoes
Lined all along the road are we
One big heart on one big sleeve
And in the wake of the hearse
Our voices float in verse
Every buoyant phrase and melody
Cries, Sister you will ever be

Comin’ round the mountain
Over the rainbow
A joyful banner blazing
You are young
You are precious
You are loved

A young man’s thanks for all you did
So lads like him could just be kids
A safe place he could hang about
Drop the tough act, lose the lout
Single mom, determined gaze
Remembers how she freely played
And took to heart the stories, songs
That whisper still “girl, you are strong”

You’ll be
Comin’ round the mountain…

Your smiling eyes cut through it all
To our better selves did call
Confident that we were there
Coaxing us to dream, to dare
Challenging the deal in drugs
Raising money in the pubs
Pulling heartstrings, squeezing funds
Our shameless, selfless, flying nun

And we who line this road today
You nurtured, nudged along our way
Taught us skills to help us cope
Through the darkness into hope
You’re in the bustle of our streets
In the rain upon our cheeks
Your words a mantra we will keep
And pass to every child we meet

credits

from Joyful Banner Blazing, released January 29, 2021
© Maria Dunn, 2016
Arranged M. Dunn, A. Hillhouse, S. Johnson, S. McDade, J. McDade

Maria Dunn vocal
Andy Hillhouse acoustic guitar
Shannon Johnson violin, harmony vocal
Jeremiah McDade whistle, harmony vocal
Solon McDade upright bass

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Maria Dunn Edmonton, Alberta

2022 Juno Winner for Joyful Banner Blazing! A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, 3x Juno-nominated Maria Dunn is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness & unvarnished melodic songs about ordinary people. On 2016 Gathering & 2021 Joyful Banner Blazing, she celebrates the love of family, community, humanity that fires our actions to make the world a better place. ... more

contact / help

Contact Maria Dunn

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Maria Dunn, you may also like: