1. |
Cormorant's Lament
02:01
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(JANE)
PRETTY SAIL A’SEA
BEWARE THE SURGE,
THE BLOW, THE SWELL,
THE CRASH, THE PURGE,
FOR ALL’S NOT WELL
AS THE STORM FINDS THEE.
WHEN THE MAST DOTH BREAK
THE FAIR ONE’S LOST:
AN ARM, A SHOE,
A BRACELET TOSSED,
A CORPSE ASKEW,
AS SHE RIDES THE WAKE.
AND THE BIRD WILL BLIGHT
WHAT WON’T SUBMERGE --
A CROAKING LOUD
YOUR ONLY DIRGE,
A WING YOUR SHROUD
AS YOUR SOUL TAKES FLIGHT.
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2. |
Heart of Iron
02:38
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(ROCHESTER)
THE DEVIL IS NEAR. HE HAUNTS ME.
A SPECTRE IN THE NIGHT WHO CALLS.
THE DEVIL IS HERE. HE WANTS ME.
NO ONE WILL CATCH ME IF I FALL.
HEART OF IRON.
BEAT ME
AND I STAND FIRM.
DAMN ME
TO HELL AND BACK
BUT I WON’T BREAK.
HEART OF IRON.
ALONE AND ALOOF IN THIS WORLD.
CORRODE
MY WILL WITH RUST
BUT I WON’T FLAKE.
NOTHING CAN MOVE ME.
NO ONE CAN TOUCH ME.
A LINNET BIRD HAS HOPPED TO MY FOOT AND PROPOSED TO TAKE ME ON ITS TINY WING.
HEART OF IRON.
MELT ME WITH GENTLE FLAMES.
WHISPERS WILL FORGE ANEW WHAT’S LONG GONE COLD.
HEART OF IRON.
A HAND REACHING IN THE VOID.
GIVE ME YOUR TRUST AND WE
MIGHT FIND GOLD.
SOMETHING CAN MOVE ME.
SOMEONE CAN TOUCH ME.
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3. |
Helen's Psalm (Helen)
00:33
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(HELEN)
OH, FOR THE WINGS OF A DOVE
TO FLY AWAY AND REST.
SHELTER FROM THE RAGING WIND, LORD.
I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU.
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4. |
Burning
02:15
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(JANE)
UNQUIET SEA,
WATER WILD.
A SWEET SHORE BECKONS.
THE FRESH’NING GALE
DRIVES ME BACK.
MY FANCY RECKONS.
WHAT JOYFUL BREEZE
TRIUMPHANTLY BLEW
ME FAR FROM THE LAND?
IT WAS YOU.
(ROCHESTER)
I WOKE TO FLAMES,
SCALDING HEAT.
MY WORLD WAS BURNING.
MY SKIN ON FIRE,
HAIR AFLAME,
WITH NO RETURNING.
WHO LIT THE BLAZE
THAT KINDLED ANEW
A MAN HALF ALIVE?
IT WAS YOU.
SHE’S A GENII
IN A BOTTLE
FLOATING SAFE TO SHORE.
PULL THE CORK OUT,
PRAISE HER MAGIC,
WISH FOR SOMETHING MORE.
(JANE)
I’M A PAPER
IN A BOTTLE
ON A STORM-TOSSED SEA.
I AM BOBBING.
I AM DROWNING.
DEAR LORD, RESCUE ME.
BURNING.
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5. |
Queen Mary
02:22
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(ROCHESTER)
QUEEN MARY MADE LOVE TO A FIDDLER,
A DANDY CALLED RIZZIO BY NAME.
SHE HAD HIS WEE BABE,
AND DARNLEY IN RAGE,
STABBED RIZZIO AND ENDED HIS GAME.
PLAY, SING, AND RHYME.
THE REST IS NOT WORTH A FILIP.
A MAN WHO CAN’T QUIP
WITH A DAME ON HIS HIP
WILL FEEL THE KNIFE’S SHARP POINTY TIP.
(BLANCHE)
QUEEN MARY PLEDGED TROTH TO THE DEVIL,
A SPICY ROGUE, BOTHWELL BY NAME.
HE KIDNAPPED HIS WIFE,
AND TOOK DARNLEY’S LIFE,
AND DIED IN A PRISON, INSANE.
HUNT, SHOOT, AND FIGHT.
THE REST IS NOT WORTH A FILIP.
A MAN WHO CAN’T RIP
A MAN’S NECK WITH HIS GRIP
IS AN APPLE THAT CAN’T SOW ITS PIP.
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6. |
Fairy Child
01:10
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(JANE)
DAISY CHAINS AND MOONBEAM RINGS
FAIRY CHILD
DANDLED LEGS AND SYLVAN WINGS
FAIRY CHILD
WHY DO YOU VISIT ME EVERY NIGHT?
WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
WHO GAVE ME THE RIGHT?
DAPPLED SHADE AND SILKEN STRINGS
FAIRY CHILD
DARLING BABE OF A DARKENED KING
FAIRY CHILD
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7. |
Helen's Psalm (Jane)
00:36
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(JANE)
OH, FOR THE WINGS OF A DOVE
TO FLY AWAY AND REST.
SHELTER FROM THE RAGING WIND, LORD.
I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU.
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8. |
Remember
01:47
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(JANE)
I THINK I AM GLAD AS I WALK ALL ALONG
THE ROAD THAT SHORTENS BEFORE ME.
NO FAMILY OR FRIENDS WATCH THE GATE FOR A GLANCE.
NO ONE’LL EMBRACE AND ADORE ME.
WHAT CAN THIS JOY MEAN? REMEMBER.
THIS IS NOT TO MY HOME I AM GOING.
NO HEART YEARNS LIKE MINE,
REMEMBER.
DON’T LET YOURS BE THE ONLY LOVE THAT’S SHOWING.
FARMERS CUT THE HAY WITH THEIR RAKES ALL ALONG
THE ROAD THAT SHORTENS BEFORE ME.
I MUST BE CONTENT THAT GOD GIVES ME A CHANCE
TO BEG FOR STRENGTH, I IMPLORE THEE.
WHAT CAN THIS JOY MEAN? REMEMBER.
THIS MAN COURTS THE WIND AS IT’S BLOWING.
HE’S AT THE GATE! REMEMBER.
I JUST HAVE TO STOP MY LOVE FROM GROWING.
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9. |
To The Moon
02:07
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(ROCHESTER)
I SHALL TAKE MADEMOISELLE TO THE MOON
I SHALL SEEK A SMALL CAVE
AMONG A VOLCANO WAVE
IN A WHITE VALLEY TO SAVE
HER FOR ME AND ONLY ME.
I SHALL TAKE MADEMOISELLE TO THE MOON
I SHALL GATHER THE PLAIN
AFTER A MANNA RAIN
FOR BREAKFAST TO FAIN
KEEP HER FOR ME AND ONLY ME.
IN MY POCKET IS A MAGIC TALISMAN,
A FAIRY RING DISGUISED AS A SOVEREIGN,
THAT GIVES US WINGS TO FLY PAST HAY-HILL
AWAY FROM THE EARTH TO AN ALABASTER VALE.
I SHALL TAKE MADEMOISELLE TO THE MOON
I SHALL LAY HER DOWN LATER
BY A WARM LUNAR CRATER
AND THERE I SHALL SATE HER
FOR ME AND ONLY ME.
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10. |
Vampyre and the Veil
00:29
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(BERTHA)
BITE. STAB. REND.
RIP THE THROAT. EAT THE GOAT.
CHEAT. LIE. OFFEND.
BURN THE HOUSE. KILL THE MOUSE.
KISS ME. KISS ME.
MARRY ME.
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11. |
Mighty Fortress
01:39
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(ROCHESTER)
CLOSE YOUR BOOK. STRIP YOUR ROBE.
THIS WEDDING IS DEFERRED.
MARRIED TWICE. TWO WIVES AT ONCE.
BIGAMY -- AN UGLY WORD.
FATE OUT-MANOEUVRED ME,
OR PROVIDENCE CHECKED ME,
SO NO MORAL LAW HAS BEEN BLURRED.
BUT MY PLAN IS BROKEN,
THE LUNATIC REVEALED.
THE NAME “BERTHA MASON” HAS BEEN HEARD.
THE FORTRESS I BUILT IS ABSURD
AND GOD IN HEAVEN HAS CONCURRED.
COME. VISIT. SEE MY WIFE.
SHE’S LOCKED UP ON THE THIRD
STOREY WITH MRS. POOLE.
IT’S SAFE -- MOSTLY -- BE ASSURED.
THIS GIRL, WHO KNEW NOTHING,
THOUGHT ALL WAS FAIR AND JUST.
AH, MY INNOCENT BIRD.
A FEIGNED UNION WITH ME,
SUCH A DEFRAUDED WRETCH --
AH, SHE WAS ALMOST LURED.
THE FORTRESS I BUILT IS ABSURD
AND GOD IN HEAVEN HAS CONCURRED.
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12. |
In The Attic
00:54
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(BERTHA)
I WANT YOUR HEART
(ROCHESTER)
HEART OF IRON.
(BERTHA)
ON GRACE’S FIRE.
(JANE)
DAISY CHAINS.
(BERTHA)
SOME BLOOD, SOME MEAT.
(ROCHESTER)
BEAT ME.
(BERTHA)
A FRAGRANT PYRE.
(ROCHESTER)
AND I STAND FIRM.
(JANE)
AND MOONBEAM RINGS.
(BERTHA AND JANE)
WHEN YOU SWORE TO LOVE ME, WERE YOU A LIAR?
NOW IT’S YOU OR ME
(BERTHA)
AND IT’S DOWN TO THE WIRE.
(ROCHESTER)
NOTHING CAN MOVE ME.
(ROCHESTER AND JANE)
NO ONE CAN TOUCH ME.
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13. |
Fairy Child (Reprise)
01:03
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(JANE)
FADED SIGHT THAT TWILIGHT BRINGS
FAIRY CHILD
EMPTY LAP WHERE NO ONE CLINGS
FAIRY CHILD
ALL MY DESIRES HAVE TAKEN FLIGHT.
HOW CAN I LOVE YOU?
I DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT.
TIN-POT HEART GONE WANDERING
FAIRY CHILD
STILLBORN BABE OF A DARKENED KING
FAIRY CHILD
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14. |
Infinitude
02:11
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(JANE)
I SHOULD RETURN.
WHY WANDER THE HEATH
WHERE I’M ALMOST A THIEF?
HIS LOVE OFFERED RELIEF
IF I TAKE MY BELIEF
AND LET IT BURN.
I WAS ADORED.
TO HIM I WAS FEY.
WE WOULD LIVE IN MARSEILLES,
ENGLAND SO FAR AWAY,
UNTIL THE BITTER DAY
LOVE GREW BORED.
I’M EMPTY, I’M LONELY.
OH, NIGHT SKY, CONSOLE ME.
DEAR GOD, PLEASE HELP ME SEE YOU.
TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
I CAN CONCLUDE
GOD IS EVERYWHERE,
EVEN HERE, IN MY DESPAIR.
TAKE MY LOVE. I DON’T CARE.
I CAN’T SURVIVE THE GLARE
OF INFINITUDE.
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15. |
Pagan Philosopher
02:11
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(SINJIN)
LET ME GO. I HAVE WORK TO DO.
I WANDER, AND I DEFER.
FOR THE MORE I WAIT, THE MORE I ASK:
WHAT MAN WOULD PREFER
TO SERVE THE SICK AND POOR
IF HE WERE BUT A PAGAN PHILOSOPHER?
THE DUST, THE FLIES, I WELCOME THEM.
HARDSHIPS I LONG TO ENDURE.
FOR THE MORE I BREAK, HOW BRIGHT I BURN
FOR MY MASTER’S
GREAT GLORY. LET ME ASSURE
YOU I’M NOT A PAGAN PHILOSOPHER.
(JANE)
WE CLING TO THE PURPLE MOOR:
THE STRONG BLAST AND THE SOFT BREEZE,
THE SUNRISE AND SUNSET HOUR,
ENRAPTURE OUR FACULTIES.
OH, THE HALCYON DAY’S ALLURE!
(SINJIN)
LEAGUES FROM HERE AND A YEAR FROM NOW,
ENGLAND A HAZY BLUR,
ETERNITY WILL BE MINE,
MY SOUL’S REWARD SECURE.
GOD IN HEAVEN WILL CONCUR
I’VE NOT BEEN A PAGAN PHILOSOPHER.
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16. |
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(JANE with DIANA and MARY)
WE CLING TO THE PURPLE MOOR:
THE STRONG BLAST AND THE SOFT BREEZE,
THE SUNRISE AND SUNSET HOUR,
ENRAPTURE OUR FACULTIES.
OH, THE HALCYON DAY’S ALLURE!
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17. |
Fly
03:16
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(ROCHESTER)
A SHELL OF BRAMBLES AND I SHUDDER FOR YOU.
STABBED, TORN, FLAMMABLE.
BUT THEN YOU ESCAPE, PUSH YOUR LIMBS FROM THE CAGE.
NICKED, SHORN, UNMANNABLE.
I WANT YOU TO LEAVE ME,
BUT WHY MUST YOU GO?
AT LEAST YOU LEAVE FREELY
FROM HEARTACHE AND WOE.
AND NOW YOU FLY.
A LIGHTNING BOLT OF FATE HURLED AT THE SKY.
DON’T FALL TOO FAST.
MY NET IS SPREAD AS WIDE AS I CAN CAST.
BUT I’LL MISS THE CATCH IF YOU GO DIVING PAST.
LOST IN THE HEATHER AND THE SILK HOLDS YOU DOWN.
SOFT, TIGHT, UNBREAKABLE.
BUT THEN YOU SLIP LOOSE AND YOU CREEP BY THE WATCH.
SLEEP, DREAMS UNWAKEABLE.
WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?
I WANT YOU TO GO.
COME BACK TO ME FREELY.
IT’S HEARTACHE AND WOE.
AND NOW YOU FLY.
A BOSUN’S PINCH OF LUCK TOSSED TO THE SKY.
DON’T DRIFT TO SEA.
MY BEACON SHINES FROM THE BUOY TO THE QUAY,
BUT I’LL LOSE YOUR GLINT IF YOU DON’T SET COURSE FOR ME.
YOUR SHELTER IS HERE.
I CAN’T TRUST I FEAR.
IN MY REFUGE I HIDE.
WHO WILL STAND BY MY SIDE?
AND NOW I FLY.
BURNING WINGS OF PITCH BLAZE THROUGH THE SKY.
DON’T BREAK MY FALL.
I’VE FOUGHT FOR EVERY INCH BUT I WON’T CLEAR THE WALL.
I ONLY HAVE ONE WISH: THAT YOU MIGHT HEAR MY CALL.
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18. |
Little Horseshoes
01:46
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(JANE)
LITTLE HORSESHOES FROM QUEEN MAB’S STEED
SCATTERED LIKE HEARTACHE AND DANDELION SEED.
LITTLE HORSESHOES FROM THE HAZEL-NUT COACH
WHISPER YOU SECRETS OF FAIRIES AND HOPE IN A LOST LOVER’S TOUCH.
WHEN THE GRASSHOPPERS TUNE THEIR VIOLINS, AND THE CRICKET BONE LASH RAISES UP,
YOU DANCE TO THE MUSIC AS IT’S PLAYED, AND DRINK FROM THE ACORN CUP,
YOU STAND ON THE TOADSTOOL, RAISING
UP YOUR ARMS TO CATCH GOD’S GRACE,
FEEL THE DRIFTING OF TENDER BREEZES
AS THE SUN GLOWS ON YOUR FACE.
LITTLE HORSESHOES WILL BEAT THEIR TATTOO AS THEY DRIVE YOU AWAY FROM THE PAIN.
ELVES UNDER FOXGLOVES AND CHARIOTS OF MOONBEAMS BRING THE ORPHAN CHILD FAM’LY AGAIN.
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K A Byrnes
Screenwriter, composer, amateur musician. Enneagram musings and Encaustic art at ka-byrnes.com Live orchestral recordings at YouTube (KA Byrnes Worthington)
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