The band expressed Denny's vision of the potential of folk rock to express complex meaning and deep personal emotion, using traditional ballad forms, but with the power of a rock band. Their self-titled first album (Fotheringay) was also only one of two albums, as they broke up a year later, in January 1971, while working on their second (recently released). The cause appears to have been personal difficulties, made worse by lack of success and thus income! Oddly for such talented musicians the band were widely reported to have been poor in live performance, which may well have also contributed to their short life as a band. Tracks later surfaced on her three-disc compilation.
The rhythm section was formed by Gerry Conway and Pat Donaldson, lauded by Denny as the best in the business. In the absence of Richard Thompson, who was prepared to tour with her, and act as session musician but wanted to follow his own career, lead guitar was taken by Jerry Donahue, whose transatlantic country roots and softer personality brought a different, less edgy feel to the music. However he was a skilled technician, with great feel, as he showed on their album, and later Fairport Convention records. The group was completed by rhythm guitarist and second lead vocalist Australian Trevor Lucas, whom Denny was to marry, and who also later accompanied her back into Fairport.
Fotheringay contains a majority of tracks by Sandy Denny, with one each by Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and Trevor Lucas, as well as the atmospheric trad arr. Fotheringay, The Banks of the Nile.
In 2007 the BBC announced that Donahue would be attempting to complete the abandoned project (which he accomplished using previously unheard takes from the original archived tapes). Permission had finally been granted and the work was completed by summer of the following year. The resulting album, titled Fotheringay 2, was released by Fledg'ling Records on 29 September 2008.
The Way I Feel
Fotheringay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Among its branches, you? ll find her nesting
When the nights are cool, she is warm and dry. In leaves of green they will protect her, Her wings will grow, your love will too
But all too soon your mighty branches
Will fail to hold her, she? ll fly from you. (repeat first verse)
The song "The Way I Feel" by Fotheringay is a heartfelt ballad that compares the feelings of loss and loneliness with the natural world. The song starts with a comparison of the singer's emotions to that of a robin who has lost its young ones and has an empty nest. The singer expresses how alone and desolate they feel after someone they loved has left them. The second verse goes on to compare a woman to a young bird who finds her home in a young man's heart. The singer emphasizes how the man's love and care nurtures her, just like the branches of a tall oak tree. He provides a warm and secure place for her to thrive, but eventually, she will fly away.
The metaphor of a robin's empty nest and a young bird finding its home in an oak tree is a beautiful way to describe the sadness and loneliness one might experience after being left alone. It is clear from the lyrics that the singer is mourning the loss of someone dear to them and struggling to come to terms with the emptiness they feel. However, the singer also implies that letting someone go is part of the cycle of life, and though it may be painful, it is something that must be embraced in order to grow.
Line by Line Meaning
The way I feel is like a robin,
My emotions are akin to that of a robin bird.
Whose birds have flown to come no more,
Whose young ones have left its nest never to return.
Like a tall oak-tree, alone and cryin’,
Like a tall oak-tree standing lonely and weeping.
When the birds have flown and the nest is bare.
When the offspring have flown away, leaving the nest empty.
Now a woman, Lord, is like a young bird,
Nowadays, a woman is similar to a young bird.
And the tall oak-tree is a young man’s heart.
While a tall oak-tree symbolizes the heart of a young man.
Among its branches, you’ll find her nesting
She will find her place of comfort and safety in his strong arms.
When the nights are cool, she is warm and dry.
In his arms, she will feel safe and secure even during tough times.
In leaves of green they will protect her,
He will shield her from all harm and danger.
Her wings will grow, your love will too
Just as her wings grow, his love for her will also grow.
But all too soon your mighty branches
However, he knows that his strong arms will not be enough to hold her forever.
Will fail to hold her, she’ll fly from you.
One day, she will leave him to explore the world on her own, just like a young bird who leaves its nest to fly.
(repeat first verse)
The song repeats the first verse to reiterate the analogy of the young woman and the young man's heart to a bird and a tall oak-tree respectively.
Writer(s): Gordon Lightfoot
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JohnAlbertRigali
I've been aware of Fotheringay for decades but never came across any of the band's music before. YouTube's algorithm served this up to me today, and it's great!
@TH-nf1eo
Why hasn't Jerry Donahue gotten more recognition as a great guitarist? He certainly deserves it.
@russhouldin5774
Too unassuming. Wonderful musician.
@HawkBit9231
This almost has an old school jethro tull feel to it. I like it!!!
@derekfarrellmusicontheisleofwi
Lovely music. I was given the Fotheringay album by a guy in my day release class at college who new i was right into Sandy Denny's Fairport, I wasn't aware of its release and was so excited by the wonderful gatefold sleeve It was the first year of my electricians apprenticeship (1970), didn't really know that guy only that he was very intelligent and chose to sit with me and share his stationary, knowledge etc. Haven't seen him since and can't even remember his name. The album became one of my favourite albums of all time. Thankyou my friend from Stockton & Billingham Technical College, hope your still fit and well.
@helenarcarvalho
The best version for this song!!!
@Gus90N
Thank you all guys!! Songs like this one is the essence of life!!! Enjoy!!!
@quasidiem99
LOVE this song. I have been searching for years for perfect music: With Fairport Convention and Fotheringay, I think I have found it.
@Carl_1
Take a couple of minutes to add to the list Ten Years After "Let The Sky Fall"
@andreaskolenda
Heart breaking - my full of love californian song - one on of the best songs ever!;:))) for Rolf