O Voskos, 'The Shepherd' Masayo Honjo

O Voskos "The Shepherd" - a Traditional Cypriot song arranged for harp by Masayo Honjo.

I feel this song is about love of life, reflected by the beauty surrounding a shepherd on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where he lives. He wishes one day to be buried near his flock's spring and his favorite tree.

When I play this song, I imagine the precious scenery of the trees and hills he loved. Surprisingly, the landscape of Cyprus is so similar to the Santa Monica Mountains where I live and feel deeply attached. So, in this video you’ll see my photos from the Misha Mokwa trail and video of the Mugu Rock beach area in Ventura County near Malibu.

Lyrics:And I was born a shepherd
amongst the flock in the barn.
And my poor body will there die.
Goodbye, pine and oak.
Myrtle, we envy that you don't know death
or the white of old age.
And when I die,
put me in the flock's spring
beside the tall and beautiful cypress tree.

"O Voskos" is a traditional Cypriot song
Performed by Masayo Honjo
Instrument: Merlin harp by RHarps
Photographs from Santa Monica Mountains: Masayo Honjo
Ocean video by Jerry O'Connor

[summerholmesdancestudiopro]

This is so great I love the music its sweet

[yokosuzuki]

Beautiful and serene matched with blue sea and your blue dress💙💚 it made me very calm😌

[nelsonfcutter]

This is such a compelling video. I love the blending of the scenery at the right moments. INCREDIBLE!!

[auntshirley]

So well done, Masayo. Each time I listen, I feel peace and hope, an invitation to look back and yet forward. As timeless as the sea. The gentle beauty of your music is stellar.

[fkbremner]

So beautiful! I love the intertwining with the majestic mountains and the lovely sea! And your vivid blue dress is so perfect.

[sungarden]

You have an exquisite gift, Masayo ... Divine complex simplicity ... true art.

[DianaRowanBrightWay]

Exquisite and captivating every single time I watch it.

[paulsiu]

Masayo, such a beautiful and peaceful song. It brings such a calming effect to today's hectic world.

[margiebekoff]

You brought such peace to me with your beautiful arrangement of this song and gorgeous video. Thank you!

[StevenRuddell]

Masayo, thank you for this elegant offering, so tender and inviting us to listen deeply, not only to the sound, but “shepherding” thought toward silence. I also appreciated the video, reinforcing your songs message and loved how you turned away from traffic, then facing the sea, and finally sitting as if contemplating vastness. ❤

[Suburbanoid]

Beautiful, peaceful and meditational.
I love your gentle and soulful approach to music. I would love to play together sometime soon. Wishing you much peace ✌️ 🙏

[esmeboone]

This is utterly beautiful Masayo--the visuals and your haunting arrangement of a beautiful song mesmerized me. I loved the 'AB roll' towards the end when you appear in the sound box of your harp before it fully shows you dreaming of a far shore at the end. Thank you for your magic. 💞💕💖

[Janet-ovzx]

You give us such beauty with this offering. The song and your playing of it, the rocky hills and distant mountains, and you standing on the liminal space between land and sea, looking to a far horizon, all create a spaciousness where time stands still and dreams will manifest.

[catrionahenderson]

Very nicely played Masayo. Beautiful photography too.

[kithjohnson]

So beautiful and haunting, Masayo. I love the simplicity and also the feeling of being on the boundary of change or a transformation. Thank you for this lovely offering.

[kathleenlahiff]

Absolutely beautiful, Masayo, on all levels. Thank you for recording this and sharing it with us.

[jeroldwinnick]

Masayo, your harp playing is absolutely lovely, so relaxing and even spiritual. Your harp videos are done so beautifully and professionally. So impressive! You have so much talent, and we are all the better from your taking the time to share your musical and artistic gifts with us. Thank you.

[marciadefrancesco]

Exquisitely presented . The music, haunting, touching, gently drawing me into the scenery.

[jerryoconnor]

Masayo, I am completely enthralled by your song as you played it and merging of the videos. You have created a wonderful testimony of your ability - something that will last forever.