Camel – The Snow Goose

Produced for Gama Records and GRT Corporation.
Some overdubs recorded at Decca Studios.

All song published by: Peter Bardens Songs, BMI and Andy Latimer Songs, BMI

℗ 1975 GRT Corporation
Chess/Janus Records, a division of GRT Corporation, New York, N.Y.

Also available on GRT Music Tapes.

A = Side One, B = Side Two

"Rhayader", "Rhayader Goes To Town", "Rhayader Alone" appears on sleeve, "Rhavader", "Rhavader Goes To Town", "Rhavader Alone" appears on label.

Doug's duffle coat, mentioned in the credits, was used by Latimer and Ferguson to simulate a flapping of wings by waving it in the air.

"The Snow Goose" is based on the novella "The Snow Goose" written by Paul Gallico in 1941.

Later issues include "Music Inspired By" on the cover due to Paul Gallico's publishers had threatened to put a court injunction on the album.

Scene descriptions as they appear on back of sleeve:

"The Great Marsh"
Just before dawn till sunrise.

"Rhayader"
He lives in an old lighthouse on the Essex marshes, caring for the wild birds.

"Rhayader Goes to Town"
The townsfolk react coldly towards Rhayader because of his odd appearance. But their fear is mixed with curiosity for he has a noble bearing.

"Sanctuary"
The Snow Goose swept off course by a sea storm just reaches the Essex coast. Fritha finds her exhausted and wounded on the beach and gently cradles her, for she has heard that nearby lives a man who is a great healer of birds.

"Fritha"
When she meets Rhayader she too is frightened, but her concern for the Snow Goose overcomes her fear.

"Friendship"
While the Snow Goose gradually gains strength, tended to by Rhayader and visited by Fritha, a strong bond of affection grows between the three of them.

"Rhayader Alone"
With the departure of the Snow Goose, Fritha no longer visits the lighthouse and Rhayader is once more alone with the melancholy sounds of the marshes.

"The Flight of the Snow Goose"
One day high above the horizon appears the familiar shape of the great white bird. Rhayader in his joy sends for Fritha.

"Preparation"
Rhayader gets ready to sail, together with the small Armada of other boats to help in the desperate rescue operation at Dunkirk.

"Dunkirk"
As Rhayader departs, leaving Fritha behind he cannot prevent the Snow Goose following him out across the channel and right into the heart of battle.

"Epitaph"
Rhayader ferries many stranded soldiers to safety until at last he is hit, and the Snow Goose is seen circling low over the spot where the little boat has gone down.

"La Princesse Perdue"
Fritha realizing somehow that Rhayader will not return and is still looking out to sea when she spies the Snow Goose. She is filled with a sweet sadness as she follows her princess home in as if to land only to fly away, out of sight lost forever.