Speaking about the Art & Memorabilia section of this site, you can rightfully expect it to be filled with aviation art and collectibles. But how about Spitfire in music?

Singer-songwriter duo Ivor and Kevan Bundell describe their music as contemporary, original and "English Roots". Their sound is mainly acoustic, and compositions a mixture of contemporary and traditional in style. Their first album, Secret Lives, appeared in 2001; the second (shown), Stood on the Shore, was released in December 2006.

The featured song of Bundells' latest album reflects their interest in history and Britishness. Entitled Mr Mitchell's Angel, the song is, according to the artists: "a tribute to the Spitfire, to those who built it, to those who flew in it, and above all to its creator, RJ Mitchell". The lyrics (quoted below) are a touching tribute to the man and the machine which became a symbol of a generation.

You can listen to the song through the link below, or download it for your use. It's a given piece on any aviation party! A complete CD album featuring this and fourteen other tracks can be purchased directly from the Bundell brothers site. Enjoy!

• Listen to "Mr. Mitchell's Angel" now (streaming audio)
  


• Download the high-quality MP3 audio file (5.5MB)
  

Mr Mitchell's Angel

I stood on the shore and I heard the sweet roar
Of a finely-tuned merlin machine;
Look to the skies - the sudden surprise
Of a Solent Supermarine;
O Mr Mitchell if only you'd seen your Angel of Dream
And the young men who fly for the kill and the cry
Our freedom to save.

We waited at Woolston for the men to come home
But the works were raised to the ground;
One hundred and more lost their lives to the bombs
The Angel was not to be found;
O Mr Mitchell if only you'd seen your Phoenix rise from the grave
For the spirit of truth and the life that they gave
Our freedom to save.

And though you died young your life's work was done
The Spitfire is your legacy;
Now you'll never grow old while the story is told
Of the few who fought for that day;
O Mr Mitchell I wish I had been your bird on the wing
Bravely defending the green fields of England
Our freedom to save.
* * *
We stood on the shore and we heard the sweet roar
Of a finely-tuned merlin machine;
Look to the skies - the sudden surprise
Of a Solent Supermarine;
O Mr Mitchell if only you'd seen your angel of dream
O Mr Mitchell if only you'd seen your angel of dream
Our angel of dreams
Our angel of dreams.

You might like to take a look at Bundell brothers' website http://www.bundellbros.co.uk/ to find out more their music, or even booking them to play. [Music and lyrics © Ivor & Kevan Bundell 2006. Used with permission]

Labels: Music and literature