Lyrics
Witch’s Hand – collaboration with Mother Bear (Germany)
In a ditch
ditch ditch
Find a witch
witch witch
Witch’s hand
In a ditch
ditch ditch
Find a witch
witch witch
Witch’s hand
Make a wish
Make a wish
Was that what you wanted?
Mirror mirror !
It’s in reverse
What you think you want
It is a curse
No where to run
I’m not scared of the dark
Vapor like smoke
Swirling ’round my lonely room
I am a shadow
You’re not quite like
anything at all
Knows me chose me calls me
by my middle name
I’m not scared of the dark
I’m a friend to the night
I’m a friend to the night
I’m not scared of the dark
Creep here with me
Keep it close and you might see
The little things that glow
And they all have teeth
Knows you chose you calls you
By your middle name
You won’t have to say a word
For understanding
Death Skull
Death skull
Your eyes they shine
Say you’ll be mine
For all of time
Take you for a Ride
on the other side
other side
We’ll go where we want to
If you make me believe it
Believe me I’ll make you
Make you death skull
If you make me believe it
Believe me I’ll make you
Make you my death skull
Shine
The things you whisper to me
I will whisper to you
I want to whisper to you
Take you for a Ride
On the other side
Other side
We’ll go where we want to
If you make me believe it
Believe me I’ll make you
Make you death skull
If you make me believe it
Believe me I’ll make you
Make you my death skull
Shine
Ride
Consuming Rites (written by Mother Bear & you should ask!)
Rat
I hear you I hear you
Rat
crawling and scratching
Stealing the food of our useless cats
I am going to bed
I’m not cleaning anything
Ever again
Let in your friends
Take it over
I’m dead
Ghost Folk
1. Beautiful Teeth
Beautiful teeth like wolves’
your smile makes the rabbits run
All hail the moon
your neck, it’s light on the water
on the water
on the water
Your broad chest and the space between your breasts
softly, the wolves are sleeping
Your broad chest and the space between your breasts
softly, the wolves are sleeping
Beautiful teeth like wolves’
Your smile makes the rabbits run
All hail the moon
Your neck, it’s light on the water
on the water
on the water
2. I Can’t See You
I can’t see you, I’m not going tonight
Oh run away run away run away run away
And hide
Oh run away run away run away with me tonight
I can’t see you, I’m not going tonight
Oh run away run away run away run away
And hide
Oh run away run away run away with me tonight
I know a place where we can go
we both know very well
I know the dark place that we both do go
we both know very well
I can’t see you, I’m not going tonight
Oh run away run away run away
And hide
Oh run away run away run away with me tonight
Lean a little closer to me dear
I can almost breathe when you are near
Lean a little closer to me dear
I can almost breathe you in
3. Sea Change
Helena walks the city streets
and her playlist guides her feet
from Neptune to the beach
Serve them coffee, bring them tea
thinking of nothing, and everything
nothing of him can now remain
but does suffer a sea change
Sea change sea change sea change
From where you thought you’d be
Nothing is fixed in stone
see how below here how they roll
roll the bones and now the tide
bring you back to where you felt alive
Sea change sea change sea change
4. Tarot Card
This is a new day
and I tuck your tarot card away
Three of Wands , you said it was arbitrary
didn’t mean anything
but you said a lot of things
Speaking in riddles
so no one could understand you
making complicated
what was really so easy
I’ll tell you your future
I’ll tell you your future
I’ll tell you your future
but it’s far too lonely
This is a new day
and I tuck your tarot card away
This is a new day, a new day
Like a bird from the snare of the fowler
Like a beast from the hand of the hunter
Like a bird from the snare of the fowler
Free yourself
5. Fair Warning
If I sing my song through the trees you might
hear me, fair warning
Little lonesome love, it has been awhile I know
Don’t you know the most beautiful things
that crawl or fly are full of poison
I have eyes on my back so it seems
I am watching
Her Monarch wings are lovely and bright
so you know, she won’t taste nice
He sings his song through the trees
and it seems he is lonely
Don’t you know the most beautiful things
give fair warning
they are full of poison
Don’t you know the most beautiful things
give fair warning
Don’t you know the most beautiful things
give fair warning
they are full of poison
6. In Your Perfumed Chambers
Instrumental
7. November Man
November man, with your coat of black
flap your wings against the ghost
grey sky
Sing your song of November
naked trees and the promise of ice
overnight
There’s no warm fire
for you, or me
Meet me there
grey as a ghost
the sky where you and I fly by
Each and the other
black coats and wings
Hear my song of November
You’ll never know
you’ll never know
you’ll never know
my name
You’ll never know
you’ll never know
you’ll never know
my name
8. Katie Cruel (Trad)
9. Elemental Child
Elemental child, made up of sun and wind
I see the tree of you whipped and bend
all in an instant then your face
turns pensive and sad
‘til it picks up again, like the wind
Elemental child
tears fall to earth in rain
spring from the ground again
changed and unchanging
Constantly blustering
curses and philosophy
it is a tempest and I
I am a kite
10. Go Your Way – By Anne Briggs
11. I Remember Everything
Awaken in the morning
in the still and solitary light
to stand beside your shadow
from a dream I had last night
You return and talk to me
we’re walking like we used to do
How can I shake you off this way
I remember everything
How wrong can one woman be
or how lost and how lonely
Tell me you don’t feel any pain
I remember everything
Well, I miss the thoughts that I used to think
and you walking beside me
Say you never my friend
I remember everything
12. Our Lady of the Highway
Oh , Our Lady of the Highway
won’t you lend me some Grace
I can’t close my eyes
or I’ll see his pretty face
I’d get drunk on some whiskey
but I can’t stand the taste
Oh Our Lady of the Highway
Take me far away from here
Oh , Our Lady of the Highway
Won’t you ease my head
He lay down the sunset
when he lay back in that bed
and oh my skies
my skies went gold, pink and red
Farewell
is what I have left
now all I have left is farewell
Farewell
Oh , Our Lady of the Highway
won’t you lend me some Grace
I can’t close my eyes
or I’ll see his pretty face, such a pretty face
I get drunk on some whiskey
but I can’t stand the taste
Oh Our Lady of the Highway
Take me far away from here
Prince’s Pine
1. First Amongst the Flowers
Stop haunting me with your name
common as pebbles
under my bare feet
Each step I take
away from you
leads me doubled back
until I stand in your garden
First amongst the flowers
under a rainless sky
with it’s unrelenting sun
2. Dark Winged Sparrow
Sweet as Bee’s pollen on gentlest breezing
more bitter than the taste of wormwood
in love with the dark
in love with death
kisses your mouth where my fingers might’ve been
in another place
in another time
Pretty boy I would’ve made you mine
in another place
in another time
Lover boy my dark winged sparrow
3 . Prince of the Morning
Prince of the Morning
walking in golden light
high in the city
your solitary citadel
& when you closed your eyes
it was for a long time
& did you close your eyes
almost for forever?
Prince of the Morning
your hands are lily white
move clothed in darkness
apart from common
populace
& speaking at length
of what ails & moves you
of what you love & what you hate & who
& who do you love
Prince of the Morning
walking by columbine
bachelor’s button
cockscomb & crossing lines
to the stately house
with it’s many windows
some were for looking out
some for looking inward
& who do you love?
4. When you are Awakening (instrumental)
5. They Killed my Crippled Prince with the Sea Glass Eyes
They killed my crippled prince with the sea glass eyes
he won’t sing his sad songs any more
he says his songs are far too sad
but his songs could open up the truest heart
the truest heart is filled with blood & roses
They killed my crippled prince with the sea glass eyes
said his story was all wrong
they were silent when they should’ve laughed
& they laughed when they should’ve been in mourning
They killed my crippled prince with the sea glass eyes
he won’t let his fingers play
up & down the neck of his guitar
like a Spanish courtesan
wearing crimson robes
lips stained with wine
They killed my crippled prince with the sea glass eyes
he won’t sing his sad songs any more
he says there’s only so many sad songs a man can sing
before life takes another path & he is gone
The Song the Songbird Sings
1. It’s not the Ocean
It’s not the ocean
it’s the water that will
drag you under
We’re out of sugar
I’m not shopping anymore
Watching the rain fall
at your door
It’s not the ocean
It’s the water that will
Drag you under
When they see us together
and they tell their sister and
their brother
I was looking out to sea
you were hidden somewhere
behind me
It’s not the ocean
it’s the water that will
drag you under
2. Bluest Bird
Bluest bird
flew just once by my window
Now I know
what you were trying to tell me now
Saying won’t you save a place for me?
I said I’d give you anything
I said I’d give you anything
I didn’t see you fly
I am walking
Through a desert of snow
with no shoes and no water
for my thirst
I took from you just one single kiss
So I am no longer thirsty
Once you held me in your arms
& I am warm
Bluest bird flew just once by my window
Now I know what you’ve been trying to tell me now
Saying wont you save a place for me?
I said I’d give you anything
I said I’d give you anything
Didn’t see you fly
3. Crabapple
Crabapple crab if you have to
just smile for me once in awhile
Crabapple nothing goes right all the time
Caught in the downs
of your pocket-sized thunderclouds still I
like how you say what you want
Rain it comes down, but your blue skies gonna come around
and you sing like a bird in the sun
Crabapple bow your head down, beneath those blankets of brown
whisper thanks to a merciful God
Caught in the downs
of your pocket-sized thunderclouds still I
like how you say what you want
Rain it comes down, but your blue skies gonna come around
and you sing like a bird in the sun
4. Sundown Lyrics by Gordon Lightfoot
5. Shoot Me
I met a man he was a very bad man
he said “I have my grandfather’s hands”
and he led me down a long twisty path
full of stones and broken glass and he
broke my back
and he hurt my heart and bit my skin and left his mark
and said “You old broken thing, you’re gonna wait on me”
and he bent down to slip a yoke on me and I said
Oh, shoot me
I won’t carry no burden baby I won’t carry no burden baby
I was made for better things
and you better have a bullet for me
Go on take my heart, leave me an old broken thing
go on take my eyes , if you’re gonna take your sight from me
go on take my ears, and I’ll never hear you
call my name
go on and take my life if you would take your love from me
Shoot me I won’t carry no burden baby
I won’t carry no burden baby
I was made for better things
and this love’s a burden on me
Just last night I had the strangest dream
I was walking underneath the leaves
how my heart still sang a song so sweet
I heard a little bird up in the tree
whistle it to me
Oh, shoot me baby
I won’t carry no burden baby
I won’t carry no burden baby
I met a man he was a very bad man
tell him by his old granddaddy hands
and he’ll lead you down a long twisty path
full of old bones and broken glass
6. O Deathless and Divine
O Deathless and Divine
Holy fire and wine
that is ever drunk and replenishing
Let me be the drunk that wets themselves in the car
let me be a fool
let me die for love
Let me step in front of trains
’cause your words are running through my brains
your eyes with their long lashes
your neck, the cord you wear around it
your big hands and their ring
7. The Song the Songbird Sings
The sun is come into my world
My Love has come today
Saying small and sweet things
The song the songbird sings
Within the trees
Please please to me
Send your sweet song to me
So I may know where you reside and sleep
A bed of lavender a bed of rosewood
Moss
When you stand in the sun it is against the sky
It’s rays fall upon you like a waterfall
Bathing you in light
I see this in my mind
8. The Snow Fox
One day the magician turned his
cloak all inside out
It no longer held the moon and the stars
But was stark white
Hospital sheets
You’d visit him at night and brought him seeds to eat
And all the blackest night
was bright and white
The swirling sisters descended
In a murder of crows
Their fingers extended and he
Disappeared in a puff of smoke
How you were left alone
Like the goose girl
How then you closed the door
And you turned the lock
You became a witch
Who lived inside a log
Deep inside the forest like a fox
Like a fox
Like a snow fox
9. Gentle is the Angel
Gentle, gentle is the angel
gentle, gentle is the angel who blows the candle out
and you were running through the wood
how the branches grabbed at you with human hands
and the stars in the night swirling ’round her face
Was the moon in the sky come to kiss
you goodbye
Gentle, gentle is the angel
gentle, gentle is the angel who blows the candle out
They were running in the night
how their teeth were long and white
and voices low
and the frozen air you worked
with shallow breath
and you stood alone in the snow
With the scent of blood
Gentle, gentle is the angel
gentle, gentle is the angel who blows the candle out
10. Aliana
The endless sky of blue
Washes over you
Washes over you
Smallest of the white
flowers
Is a part of you
Is a part of you
Always Aliana
Picked a small flower
They’d Picked the small flower
In the sky of blue
You fly
You are flying
Always Aliana
Folk Radio UK Session 2014
1.All In the Morning
All in the morning
coming down
washing the dishes
by the window
The trees blow the wind knows
Where to go
Over & underground
If you are cold there’s a blanket here
For you
Something warm to fill you up
& feed you
Sun shines the birds find
Seeds to eat
When all the flowers have gone
All in the morning
Coming down
Filter through like sunlight
All in the morning
Coming down
Birdsong through my window
2.Blackwaterside (Traditional- author unknown)
One morning fair to take the air
Down by Blackwaterside
’twas in gazing all, all around me
’twas the Irish lad I spied
All through the first part of the night
Well we lay in sport and play,
When this young man arose and he gathered his clothes,
he said, “fare thee well today”.
That’s not the promise that you gave to me
When the first you lay on my breast,
You could make me believe with your lying tongue
That the sun rose in the west.
Go home, go home, to your father’s garden
Go home and weep your fill,
And think upon your own misfortune
Which you bought with your wanton will.
There’s not a girl in this whole wide world
As easily led as I,
sure it’s fishes they’ll fly, and the seas run dry,
Tis then you’ll marry I.
3. The Huntsman
When the Huntsman came
home , it was nearly Spring
I opened my door gave him the last of our bread
but the mead I’d made
I hid from him
I didn’t love him
& if you be the wolf
with the wolf-skin on your back
who howls for the night
& stares with red eyes
Will I be the bird
with the broken wing?
& will I sing?
The Huntsman lays down
with his feet upon
my white bed
& when I said a word
he threw his flint at my head
Now my daughter sleeps
out in the wood
& my son won’t speak
& if you be the wolf
with the pointed teeth
who snarls when he speaks
with fetid breath
Will I be the bird
that pecks out your eyes?
& flies
4.Spare Parts
& Whatever you got lyin’ around
in the back of a closet or on the ground
under your bed
I’d like to take it home with me
I’ll build a man with a gold heart
out of the spare parts
you don’t want anymore
I’m pretty good with my hands
& I need a man
who’ll whirr & purr
stir at my command
& whatever you got lyin’ around
you won’t miss too much
I need the touch of a clean machine
made up of spare parts
it’s the ones with the broken hearts
that cry tears of joy
Cry tears of joy over the simplest things
& whatever you got lyin’ around
in the back of a closet or on the ground
under your bed
I’d like to take it home with me
I’ll build a man with a gold heart
out of those spare parts
Mumblin’ Sue
1. In your Hollow
Do you collect the sunlight
in your hollow
lonely
Does it leave a space
for the rain to fill
the echo of your absence
haunts the air I breathe
I am taking shallow steps
I would not disturb the silence
That pools around my feet
and ankles
If I am very still & quiet
I can almost remember you
2.I Had a Lover I thought was my Own
I had a lover I though was my own
I ‘d slip from my bed while my husband was sleeping
Once I drove to his house but the door was locked
I could see he had the candles all lit
I had a lover I thought was my own
Once he told me
You should pay me
I keep the older women of this town happy
Fat & merry
I had a lover I thought was my own
He took me in his arms upon the chair
When I’d told him we were done
He held me close & stroked my hair
3. Spare Parts
& Whatever you got lyin’ around
in the back of a closet or on the ground
under your bed
I’d like to take it home with me
I’ll build a man with a gold heart
out of the spare parts
you don’t want anymore
I’m pretty good with my hands
& I need a man
who’ll whirr & purr
stir at my command
& whatever you got lyin’ around
you won’t miss too much
I need the touch of a clean machine
made up of spare parts
it’s the ones with the broken hearts
that cry tears of joy
Cry tears of joy over the simplest things
& whatever you got lyin’ around
in the back of a closet or on the ground
under your bed
I’d like to take it home with me
I’ll build a man with a gold heart
out of those spare parts
4. Lily of the Valley
He gave me a crown of gold
silver was all that I’d wanted
the silver of moonlight on the water
a lover who’d look into my eyes
& Everybody said I was foolish
& everybody knew they knew better than
be that as it may
I only feel sorry for the Lily of the Valley
that grew beside the shade of the Dogwood tree
because they always remind me now
they always remind me
be that as it may
“white coral bells ring” came up by surprise
at the new house this Spring.
Someone had to be the hard headed hammer
well, let me play the part that pries the nails out
when all of the walls built between us are gone
we’ll lie in the grass
in the warm sun
Baby, do you want to go?
Back where I come from?
I am the daughter of Mother’s Nature’s Son.
5. Highway Gone>
Who’s to know
where your love lies gone
where your loves flies gone
when you go, my love
& where you go
when the night falls love
& the morning comes
& you’re gone, my love
My love’s gone away
on the highway
gone
6. My Carolina
Meet me Midnight
Soft step candlelight
and I’ll slip inside
I’m on fire driving down your highway
Bring me sweet tea, cigarettes
let me forget them on the nightstand by your bed
Oh my Carolina, what you’ve done to me
Oh my Carolina, want done to me forever
I am the ramblin’ rose & I’ll climb the highest fence
to thrust my faith, my love, myself and my world
& bloom outside your window
No consequence to me if you’re making me happy
no consequence to me if you’re bring me misery
Oh my Carolina,see what you’ve done
what you’ve done to me
7. Long Black Veil
written by Marijohn Wilkin and Danny Dill
8. In the Ring
Went to bed angry last night
my last words a curse
you just shrug it off make it worse.
Slowly & sweetly
you kissed me on the elbow
but I just turned away
to make you pay, make you pay
Don’t worry baby
this old life won’t teach me
Don’t worry baby
sometimes you just can’t reach me
Anyway, I been round & round
in the ring
Stupid & punch drunk
won’t you let me rest
my bloody cheek against yours sometimes
Any good boxer knows
It’s not the punches you throw
But just how much how much can you take?
You won’t break me baby
I’ll fight away & never change
Don’t worry baby
I’ve been round & round
In the ring
I’ve grown small & mean
You sweet thing
You poor sweet thing
Anyway, I been round & round
in the ring
Oh, won’t you let me rest
9. Your Minnesota Sunrise– instrumental
10. Your Skin Does Not Lie
White eyelashes
On your eyes
Your skin does not lie
I like a stroll in the morning
I like a stroll in the morning
Sleepy streets by the sea
Your skin does not lie
I see the lovers are entwined
Winter sky in the morning
Birds fly from their mouths
Birds that fill the sky
Winter blue
Winter blue
Winter white
eyelashes on your eyes
Winter blue
were your eyes
Stood so close when I spoke to you
Your skin does not lie
Lyrics for The Summer Place
1.Honeymoon
Oh my baby & me
went to sea
to an island, for to stay
a little while
But the sun hid it’s pretty face away
& the sky was cold & gray
& the wind did howl
2.See the Sea
All the world is hoping
with me
but I don’t know your voice
you are youthful & lovely
I guess we
two are not a pair, though I’d like to be
If only to be safe in that I’d met my match
my pretty dream
is very real
even if you are just a passing thing
Walk with me, see the sea
the gray & rocky beach
tell me the names of the ocean things
& I will take you with me to the woods
show you birds & trees & teach you nothing
but communion
when I kiss you let it be
like honey
gentle & be gentle with me
for my love is good, & I am kind
Walk with me, see the sea
3.The Huntsman
When the Huntsman came
home , it was nearly Spring
I opened my door gave him the last of our bread
but the mead I’d made
I hid from him
I didn’t love him
& if you be the wolf
with the wolf-skin on your back
who howls for the night
& stares with red eyes
Will I be the bird
with the broken wing?
& will I sing?
The Huntsman lays down
with his feet upon
my white bed
& when I said a word
he threw his flint at my head
Now my daughter sleeps
out in the wood
& my son won’t speak
& if you be the wolf
with the pointed teeth
who snarls when he speaks
with fetid breath
Will I be the bird
that pecks out your eyes?
& flies
4. Sakonnet
When the days were strings of Sundays
holding hands like paper dolls
I lived in my doll’s house
but I wanted out
so I went looking for a job
I went to Sakonnet at harvest time
there was something there about the light
or the air infused with wine
& the grapes set as jewels upon the vine
upon the vine there
Simple work for idle hands, he said
So what?
Just let the sun set alone in it’s September sky, babe,
you think you’ll make enough money to get by?
Reeds ’round the lake the wind would make
sure to rub, then not quite touch
reeds ’round the lake the wind would make
only circumstantial if our paths ever cross
Shot my lover’s arrow
where it fell nobody knew
they all said that I still loved you
& they said I’d leave Sakonnet
but it’s been two years
& I’m still here
where the reeds grow & the sun
sets alone
There’s something there about the light
or the air infused with wine
makes a perfume on my hands
so when I brush the dark hair from my eyes
5. Little Bird that is Your Name
Little bird that is your name
what I called you
& you came to me
you came to me
On a rainy Sunday
When we saw the sky
was a rainbow when you arrived & they
said it was a sign
from Heaven
Love
The sky will open for you
when you sing
& when you write your countryside
falls from your fingertips
like rain
upon the meadow
Little bird that is your name
what I called you
& you came to me
you came to me
(for my daughter, Ava)
6. Lyonesse
You speak with your heart
so freely, you’ll have me
believing in your sweet dreams
of love. Look!
My father’s house lies
burning, let loose their fiery arrows
their armies were legion
The Keep is broken
They’ve removed his bones from the tomb
see they are exposed now to the light
the dust the dry bones of my father
Let loose their fiery arrows
their armies were legion
the Keep is broken
7. Mockingbird & Whippoorwill
I’m a Mockingbird oh my Whippoorwill
Oh Whippoorwill well I will
sing your song ,sing along
To your Trinidad tamarind plum sauce skin
oh beautiful tamarind plum soft skin
oh lay me in a snow white bed
I’ve a walking-stick, I’ve a cross of gold
& a winding road up a mountainside
so many stars filled my eyes
so many stars they filled my mind
they sing
I’m a Mockingbird oh my Whippoorwill
Oh Whippoorwill well I will
sing your song ,sing along
sing
Lyrics for Winter Island
Winter Island
Upon your Winter Island
We wore boots
Upon the sand
Thanking heaven for our hunter’s hats
That tied beneath the chin
Upon your Winter Island
I held you so close
I felt the bird
you keep within your chest
Spread it’s wing & beat against
me
Upon your Winter Island
We ran upon the sand
We rose & fell like dark birds
& I kissed
your mittened hand
Upon your Winter Island
We slept in feathered beds
& the howling of the air at night
Was a ghost upon the wind
Snow Pony
We made a pony out of snow
& gave him mirrored eyes
we made a pony out of snow
for the lady of the ice
Come to take him away with her
in the night
We made a pony out of snow
& gave him mirrored eyes
did she see her own white face
when she brought him into life
One kiss from her cold lips
one kiss from her blue lips
We made a pony out of snow
& gave him mirrored eyes
we made a pony out of snow
for the lady of the ice
In darkness & in silence
did she come
& in the morning they were gone
Young Edwin- Traditional
I learned this song from Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior is one of my personal heroes.
Highwire- Instrumental
I hope someday maybe someone makes a video with little puppets or something for this song…
Favourite Son
His hands were tan & strong
your curly hair was yellow
I watched you die all night long
I’m sure you were your mother’s
favourite son
& I watched you die
all night long
A lonely little wind that blows
through my window
calls my name
sometimes
I sleep with my eye half open to the moon
that shines upon my pillow
so I knew when you came so silently
you meant me no good
No good can come creeping in the night
if you saw me in the light
you wouldn’t know my name
You would look away
but now you look right at me
& I’m sure you were your mother’s
favourite son
One Eyed Cat
Now that your daughter’s shoes
are too big for you
you might think your race is run
but you’re not done
Who will feed the one eyed cat
Gathering the seeds
of the money trees
that bloom by the door of the house that no one
lives in anymore
Is that a house on the beach
in the south of France
not a chance
Who will feed the one eyed cat
Spreading garlic on the bread
comfort an old friend
who just like you
has grown old & fat
it’s not so bad
Muse Me
Muse me my delightful
I’m Andromeda
chained to the rocks
oh I’m alright
though my eyes burn from searching the horizon
I wear my iron shackles like a daisy chain
for to please you
Muse me, muse me my delightful
How does your purpose move you
wing your ankles ‘cross the water
Dutiful daughter there’s nothing more for me to prove
nothing more I can do
still I like to think of you
Coming forth of course to save me
Jupiter’s Child you’re Fortune’s Son
that will win you golden armor
which you wear upon the world
You were being bold to take Fate’s hand
didn’t you force ’til she told you where to go
Look
behind the ivy wall
her feathered scales are sliding
down the cold court hall
Oh lucky I suppose, most never know
most never know
where you’ll meet the face to break your heart
& turn what’s left of you to stone
to stone, all to stone
Muse me my delightful
I’m Andromeda
chained to the rocks
oh I’m alright
though my eyes burn from searching the horizon
for you
( my take on Perseus, Medusa , as told by the dutiful daughter Andromeda)
1.Tiny Armageddon
Tiny Armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth
almost never
talk about it
there’s a certain kind of forgiveness
reserve
for the soldier
given his eyes are appropriately weary
given that his body’s burdened & broken
you don’t ask questions
What did you see while standing
surrounded by death
curious to step
between the bodies & find
your own self laid out amongst them
I will see my own startled face
each day, when I awake
as each morning you must
breathe
place each foot carefully
in sock, in oxblood
leather
rise up slowly, comb your gold
thinning hair
walk into the world once more
Step outside into the world once more
Tiny Armageddon small enough
to fit inside your mouth
almost never
talk about it
(First Published in 1997 by Syncopated City, Providence RI)
2. Jack Jumps Back
Jack jumped back
from the ledge we had met
when his lips had been humid
we walked in step
past the deer by the ocean
singing of sweet mead & selkies
& a touch on my forehead
meant a kiss
or it’s shadow
Jack jumped back
every word was a flower
he was heaping them deep
past my perfumed knees
were bruised by the blush
It was a rush
of blood
So I’d said walk it don’t run
but I’d weep for the loss
of what we’d begun
Jack jump back
through the bittersweet
nightshade
remember your dreams &
when you’re done
remember me
I swear on my life
No, I’ll stay still & quiet
velvet dusk brings you twilight
velvet dusk brings you twilight
remember me
singing sweet mead & selkies
remember me
Bruised by the blush it was
a rush of blood
Bruised by the blush it was
a rush of blood
Bruised by the blush it was
everything you ever wanted
Bruised by the blush it was
nothing much
3.Hobgoblin’s Hat
You came into our valley
One Midsummer’s Day
or was it night
the children found your Hobgoblin’s Hat
floating in the water
The children found your Hobgoblin’s Hat
& they took it home
of course there were some
magical changes
mostly we enjoyed them
the drawing room became a jungle
where
I was a tiger there
We denied our own best friend
the King of California
& we made him cry
but then his mother knew him by his eyes
they were small
& kind
Up there on the moon,
what did it look like to you?
Riding on the back of a panther
with ruby red eyes
It was the most beautiful sight
If I could give you anything
I’d give
a queen for your king
If I could wish for anything
I’d wish
a king for your queen
Up there on the moon
what did it look like to you
we thought you thought
because it was so much
that it was just because
but it was just
the most beautiful sight
(with extra special loving thanks to Tove Jansson, my inspiration for this song)
4.Vincenzo Part II
Weep or willow you’ll taste my tears tonight
whatever breath I have flies helpless behind you
whatever light I’d find
dances in the dark mosaic pattern of your eyes
my house won’t home my heart
walks an empty street at night
sleeping in doorways without you
Vincenzo hold your wife tonight you have a happy home
flowers line the driveway die
to rise up in Spring
I won’t mention this again
it was just a dream roll over
roll it over go back to sleep
Weep or willow you’ll taste my tears tonight
whatever breath I have flies helpless behind you
5.Button Boots
They whisper with
the heads together
wearing black in the Winter
brown in the Summer
Pomegranates & alabaster
behind a cupped hand
trickled laughter
the great
hooded snake
slithered hither
to taste
the soft place
behind an ankle…
he was soon crushed underfoot,
one of them was wearing
buttoned boots
They’d whisper with
their heads together
stiff as a board
light as a feather
lighting candles with wooden matches
red is the color of desire
green for wealth & blue
communion
If there was a wolf
they didn’t know him
If ever was a bear
they’d never own him
One found a silver mirror
given by an old friend
it was then they’d never
speak again…..
6.Vincenzo Part I
Vincenzo come to me
without your necktie
do you think you’re fooling
anyone (that is not your real name)
when you were a baby they stole
your name they held it shining in the light
deciding it too beautiful too bright
they wrapped it tight in rushes & reeds
pushed it in dark waters
Somewhere a prince plays with your name
he doesn’t know you & will never know you
like I do, I hardly know you at all
Once in a million years we fall
once in a million years too late
too late I fall
& I’d fall again
So I watch you through the glass as Tantalus
& you are all the world to me
all the wine the bread the flesh & sweet
sweet these things I’ve never tasted
& I’d say Oh my nameless one
tragedy is beautiful under the stars
under your breath whisper to me
so she can’t hear you
Vincenzo come to me without your necktie
I’ll come to you in shadow
across all stars & roses come to you
across a million years
& in each life I’ll love you without trying
simple as breathing long to kiss you
until I was dead
it’s there in that fleeting instance between
the darkness and the light
I will learn your name then forget
everything
(First Published 1997 by Salonika, NYC, NY)
7.Little Star
Shine down little star
show me where you
want to go
over the hillside
& through the woods we will go
listen little star
tell me what you want to know
there it was a red red rose
there it was the red red fox
where he goes
& the red red heart
how it broke
seemed like rain but the snow it came
instead
in the dead of dark
a guiding light,
that’s bright
& my candle hands will
fill with light
8. Mr. Moonlight
Oh I should be sleeping
but you keep on speaking
to me Mr. Moonlight
I can’t close my eyes
I can’t close my mind
to you Mr. Moonlight
1 AM I stumble to bed
the ivy makes shadows that crawl across the ceiling
your voice in my head & all left unsaid
still what I’d heard was not quite what I’d wanted
Mr. Moonlight I can’t close my mind to you
3:00 I can see in the dark
we play cat & mouse now
but I hold the phone call
your voice in my head & all left unsaid
everyone on my street will have troubled dreams tonight
Mr. Moonlight you push me pull me look right through me
& never care to care about me
5 AM & I take a ride
I tell myself I’m going looking for the sunrise
see your car parked where it should be
& for that one moment I’m almost happy
turn off the road I turn on the dial
& it’s Patsy Cline singing I’m crazy
Crazy for feeling so lonely crazy for feeling so blue
It’s always the same sometimes
got a different name always a different face
but it’s always you
Mr. Moonlight
9. Grey Wolf
I don’t know exactly when
I met the grey wolf
came loping in sideways
from the empty night
empty but for one quiet star
in the sky
& the grey wolf he sang to me
by the song he sang I knew him intrinsically
& when I looked into his eyes I saw
that he knew me very well
Within the empty night with it’s one quiet star
in the sky
I stroked the grey wolf
& he leaned in close to me
Now the birds have stopped their scolding
& the dumbstruck sun surrenders
not to greyness or to night
but into nothing
I don’t know exactly when
I met the grey wolf
came loping in sideways
from the empty night
empty but for one quiet star
10.A Ring Around The Moon
When you awake read the letters they’d sent
only to wait for the rose
from the only One
standing barefoot in the sunlit room
polish the silver amulet
or the moonstone earrings but never a ring
say rings make your fingers ache
rings make the heart constrict but
a ring around the moon means
I love you
where you lay your head
it’s your chest I am breathing in
the sleep of little children in the woods
A ring around the moon
& I love you
FeatherCap
In the morning came there
a colder air…
He raised his hand then
brought it down
testing the wind’s direction
it seemed he’d
tipped his hat
Feather cap
lightly he stepped
over our line of horizon
All of the ladies lined up to say
Good-bye
They rolled their eyes & they
fluttered their fans
I wouldn’t join them I stayed inside
& it makes no
difference if I loved you best
but I could not admit that yet
I read your letter, little white letter
Again again
the simple note with a scalloped edge
“It was good to see you”
it read
“Thanks for the cigarettes.
All of them.”
All of the ladies still love
to speak your name &
Your name’s a gun fired at point blank range
I stay inside &
they can’t read my face
When I fall to the ground
It’s your ghost that would rise
Only lazing while I trembled…
The Azores Song
———————————————–
I have a picture…
you in my mind
your eyes are smiling
your mouth is shy
It’s a pretty day , baby
sky set so gray
soft as a moth
gray seems so soft
you’re far away
Aren’t you my baby?
On a strange road
which way does it go?
closer to home
or further away
& I hear your voice baby
so low & warm
your heart was an island
littered with diamonds
washed up after
a hundred storms
& I miss you like crazy
faith bring me peace
peace like a blanket
falling down to my ankles
so you’re always with me
Aren’t you my baby
aren’t you my baby?
Aren’t you my baby 🙂
aren’t you my baby….
Copyright Allysen Callery March 26th, 2006
(Backstory: Written while Ted was in Azores on assignment, apart one single week that was like a year- but has
happy ending- Ted moved in with me when he came back stateside, yay!! Cherry Street…:)
Just Another Girl
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue-
I can play my own guitar
play anytime that I want to
Clear as the day
choices we make
set on my face
it’s a sycamore tree
against the stark of the sky
by & by
I’m sure to satisfy,
it keeps me from
resting
& quickens my flight
Oh, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
So many men
think I’ll come ‘round again
but my feet won’t touch
a backward path
I’ll turn to the sun
find another one
who’ll make me laugh
or break my heart
Ah, but I’m not just
another girl at the bar-
I can play my own guitar…
better’n you-
just made me blue
I can play my own guitar…
play anytime that I want to
Allysen Callery copyright Feb 22, 2005
So Slo-Mo
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won’t you tear-stain tell me
you’ve come back to stay
Take my hand
take my kiss
Baby, won’t you tear-stain tell me
you’ll take me away from this
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you’ve been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Say my name
in your sweet way
Baby, won’t you tear-stain tell me
you’ve come back to stay
Kiss me like water,
’cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won’t you tear-stain tell me
you’ll always be mine
Pain & Empty
is all that I hold
since you’ve been gone
If you never loved me
why did your kisses go
so slo-mo?
Kiss me like water,
’cause you drink me like wine!
Baby, won’t you tear-stain tell me
you’ll always be mine
always be mine…
Always be mine
Brown-Eyed Susan
Is it too hard to understand?
Too gone to find
home again-
& come get what’s waitin’
hopeful as an open door
Said I’m a soft touch
but I’m good when the ridin’s rough.
maybe a little bit…too much
say I’m the one you love?
The stars do their soft scuff
dance upon heaven’s brow…
What are you thinking now?
You’re looking away…
The heart is naked & shy
sun fills the bedroom with light-
brown-eyed susan,
sweet breeze,
bee’s pollen
Said I’m a soft touch
but I’m good when the ridin’s rough!
Maybe a little bit…too much
say I’m the one you love?
Say I’m the one you love?
The Jesus Song (Keep It Friendly)
—————————————–
Fair weather days
have come to an end…
each day makes it clearer to me
find out who’s really my friend
& I’m not
feelin’ sorry, just sometimes
feelin’ sad
wish you would get plastered with me
like good ole times we had
& it’s true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I’m callin’ out “Jesus!”
& He’s
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don’t judge me
We just keep it friendly
A little red box, with a heart
& I’d
given it to you
friendship means nothin’, isn’t it
just what you’ve got to put in it
So give me an ear
got a
shoulder to cry!
I see the whole blue sky
my eyes been so opened wide,
& it’s true
I could always count on you
to let me down
& I’m callin’ out “Jesus!”
& He’s
by my side, sitting right next to me
& He don’t judge me
We just keep it friendly
Hopey
Hopey
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, we’ve already stayed too long
Don’t you turn & look behind you
Just you walk with your head up…
I’ll be sure ‘n lock the door
C’mon dry your pretty eyes
& by the time that he wake up…
we’ll be 10 miles down that road
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, it don’t matter any more
Never mind the pretty lies
he told you once upon a time
Once upon a time was long ago
Now, it takes a penny’s worth of kindness
for to fill your lovin’ cup-
you’ve been thirsting for so long
Hopey, c’mon get your coat & go
Hopey, the morning light gonna shine
outside our door
I said I see the morning light
it’s gonna shine it’s easy breezy light
Been so long a while -since we’ve seen you smile
I said it’s been a long long while
since we have seen your pretty smile…
We’re so happy, when you decide to show it
Midway
How’s the veiw,
coming down upon
Midway -town carnival?
Were you swept up in it so fast
just out of habit
catch hands
scream laugh-trip on back
To the tilt-a-whirl
turn-on Christmas colored lights…
We slipped like eels
swimming currents
within this all electric night
easy to forget
this was all in artificial light
Walk past the Snake oil salesman works a
flim-flam scam
barks the crowd hard
conceals his heart
but bares his chest
shell game style
Oh, little marks
It don’t mean nothing
(he makes it look so easy)
He don’t risk nothing,
showing nothing
less than the perfect…
“Would you guess~? Just whats behind my eyes
Lust or love?” he’s saying
Watch the wheel turn ’round
but Hope alone
is a worthy prize..
Pay your prices
play your chances.
Truth or Dare me
I wasn’t a child when I’d heard the words you’d throw
Destiny, Love, Fate-
such poetry
hangs heavy come midway
sags from ceilings of sad concession
stands
out like stars
too large out of reach
still delight & entice me
Teacher, teach me!
Hope alone seems worthy, hope alone…
Tell me
This is only how its done.
We’re both fully grown,
this is just how
candy floss cotton melts fast on the tongue…
Did I kiss you?
Seems you needed to be kissed.
Gambled all, with a hard luck heart knowing
the games a fix
do my best to forget it
but still remember…
When we kissed
it was a carnival kiss
Work your mouth to my mouth, didn’t our breath pump like pistons?
Thrill ride high
Push your thigh between mine
Didn’t I die?
Didn’t I die/sigh
Sweet Bliss…
Quick- strawberry gloss, slick those lips
erase the traces from your face
quick-
Strawberry gloss -slick those
lips
(I wouldn’t mention this)
Quick
Strawberry gloss he said slick those lips…
“Next!”
Asleep By The Roadside
What goes first
are the words
I carried my own part & parcel
I tried
Tried to be cheerful
& you became so far away
the wait was cruel
& I’d began
just by being frankly grateful
the relief
was so fruitful & deep
I was way
way down the road
when I
turned ’round to realise he’d stumbled
on a crack in the skyline
he stood still as death
his eyes
were so sweet
they were always so cloudy
my mind
my mind was so cloudy that I
fell asleep by the roadside
copyright 2005 Allysen Callery
Full Moon/Sleepy Eye
Summer comes
weather want to make you
take a walk outside…
& I might/ walk the night
with a pale moon in the sky
& by my side
is a ghost of you
keep stride, keep stride
my pale you
Sweet bird flown home
you’ve made your home in a
feather nest /feather bed
you’ll rest your head
while a pale moon shines through
calls through my window…
I’m wide awake I’m
wide awake now
When the full moon
it’s a pale moon…
when the full moon got it’s sleepy eye
upon you better Watch out!
Wolf dog
here’s a half moon smile for a
honey child
Can you hear him howlin’ now?
Rabbit run, gotta gun pressed to your mouth
Can you feel him stare?
He’s staring at you now
When I’m a
Grandma Grandma
I’ll rock you in my chair
like I rocked on little girl
lost in the black wood
Rag & bone, all alone
I knew my way home
but little dog, little dog…
you think you’re a wolf now?
Full moon got it’s sleepy eye upon you…
Mmm hmmm…;)
Pea Green Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up
a paper heart
said It don’t mean a thing
said It’s only, made out of paper
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day
Say you’ll stay
sit beside me
give me a word or two
that’s true
I will wrestle
with you shadow
barter for a piece of you…
All that lies………
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& a love so strange………
ly familiar
The memory is dreaming me
All that lies………
between us
Is a blue silver sea
& if Love were the Only
thing
that
matterd
There would be
you & me
in a little Pea
Green
Boat
Said when he gave me
he made me up-
a paper heart
said It don’t mean a thing
said It’s only, made out of paper…
so the words float away in the light of day
from the light of day