1. |
The Kelpie Woman and Me
03:34
|
|||
THE KELPIE WOMAN AND ME
Late in Summer when the storms were due
I was out in the garden, thinking of you
The baby, he was happy as a clam
I was singing, I think, you know the way I am
A noise from behind made me turn to see -
And a bold Kelpie woman splashed water over me
Green as glass with an ebony mane;
I knew better than to offer my name
Better watch your step with a Kelpie woman
You can trust the fact that she won’t play fair
It’s the way she is and she can’t help trying
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare.
She said to me ‘Where do we start?
Is is wishes you want to satisfy your heart?’
I said - ‘Hey, Kelpie lady, you’ve got it wrong,
If you hang around here I’ll put you in a song’
‘But you can’t do that, said the Kelpie all shocked
I’m the fey-at-your-door, the riddle unlocked
You’re supposed to ask for impossible things
Rubies and gold, your weight in diamond rings
(don’t you want your weight in diamond rings?)’
‘Well, I don’t,’ said I with the baby in my arms
‘Singers don’t need your flimsy faerie charms
Shall I sing how you came calling on me?’
‘You know that’s not supposed to happen,’ said she
Better watch your step with a Kelpie woman
You can trust the fact that she won’t play fair
It’s the way she is, and she can’t help trying
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare
She said to me ‘If you put me in a song,
How will I know you won’t put me in wrong?’
‘Tell you what,’ said I ‘Come and listen when I’m done’
So I sing this song when the Kelpie woman comes
Better watch your step with a Kelpie woman
You can trust the fact that she won’t play fair
It’s the way she is, and she can’t help trying
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare
Better watch your step with a Kelpie woman
You can trust the fact that she won’t play fair
It’s the way she is, and she can’t help trying
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare
Better watch your step with a Kelpie mare...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Words and Music © Talis Kimberley 1993
|
||||
2. |
Velvet
04:18
|
|||
VELVET
He sleeps the deep deep sleep of the sated lover
He dreams the twisting dreams of a human man;
She leaves the tumbled bed and the warm bedcover
And shuts the bedroom door with a gentle hand
She needs no candlelight when the full moon calls her
Her cambric gown lies on the floor
She puts on velvet like a second skin
Beast without, woman within
She puts on velvet, cloak and hood
She knows what’s next, nothing good
She puts on velvet, fits like a glove
She doesn’t hate and she doesn’t love
She’s a beast without and a woman within
When she puts on velvet like a second skin.
She stalks the deep dark woods like a savage creature
She hunts because she needs to kill
She scents the prey, and touches a brief, bright rapture
It never lasts but she knows what will...
She stills; she leaps - and a neck snaps backward
She feeds till the hunger is appeased:
She puts on velvet like a second skin
Beast without, woman within
She puts on velvet, cloak and hood
She knows what’s next, nothing good
She puts on velvet, fits like a glove
She doesn’t hate and she doesn’t love
She’s a beast without and a woman within
When she puts on velvet like a second skin.
She’s home to wash herself of the blood she’s wearing
Her lover’s still asleep upstairs
He barely stirs - she slips in beside him swearing
It’ll never be his blood she wears
So long as some dumb beast can be found by morning
The kiss which wakes her lover needn’t ... hurt
She puts on velvet like a second skin
Beast without, woman within
She puts on velvet, cloak and hood
She knows what’s next, nothing good
She puts on velvet, fits like a glove
She doesn’t hate and she doesn’t love
She’s a beast without and a woman within
When she puts on velvet like a second skin.
Second skin - second skin... oooh.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Words & music by & © Talis Kimberley 1992
|
||||
3. |
Death Danced at my Party
04:55
|
|||
DEATH DANCED AT MY PARTY
Death danced at my party
I didn’t invite him
But everyone wanted to know who he was
I lied that he once gave me lessons on spanish guitar
And sure he was charming
And didn’t he dance well
Friend Jessica tells me he flirted with style
Well, shouldn’t he know after all, how to make a girl smile?
But where are the roses and lilies I ordered?
And let’s have champagne for my guests
The trees all have lanterns alight in their branches
The staff are impeccably dressed
So why is he here?
He can’t make me go with him, the party’s not over for hours
Death danced at my party,
I didn’t invite him
But he was the centre of all that went on
And I didn’t notice till then that the music had gone
And where are the cellos and violins? Where is the
Sensual saxophone man?
And who was the gallant in white tux and ponytail
Down where the apple trees stand?
And why is Death here?
He can’t make me go with him, I haven’t dance once yet tonight
Death danced at my party
I didn’t invite him
But, leaving, they all said the party was fine
And nobody’s left but the two of us, his fate, and mine
And where has my courage gone, now that it matters?
And where are the questions and pleas?
He holds out his hand with a smile I could kiss
And the path opens out through the trees
He says the river’s not far (Senorita...)
And I think I’ll go with him,
The river sounds lovely tonight...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Words & Music by & © Talis Kimberley 1995
|
||||
4. |
Uffington Hill
03:38
|
|||
UFFINGTON HILL
I rode a white horse over Uffington Hill
And the Moon lit the valley below
Wolves ran ahead of me scenting the prey
And I followed their tracks through the snow
The circle of seasons was turning again,
Winter would soon lose its hold
But moonlight appeals to me, snow has its charms,
And my kind do not feel the cold
I rode a white horse over Uffington Hill
And the Sun was still gilding the land
Slow light was bleeding across from the sea
And I met it with fire in my hand
The circle of seasons was turning again
For all that the Spring had come late
The quickening air held a promise, and more
But my kind are willing to wait
I rode a white horse over Uffington Hill
And the valley was festival-dressed
Afternoon meadows all rich with their fruit
Had garlanded me with their best
Queen Summer had stepped from her throne
As the circle of seasons went spinning once more
Everything changes, everything dies
But my kind go on as before
I rode a white horse over Uffington Hill
Unseen like a wraith in the mist
Frost cracking underfoot, everything shone
Like the eyes of the bird at my wrist ...
I let fly the falcon to summon the cold
Wolves came to run by my side
And the circle of seasons does just as it ought
And my kind continue to ride...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Words & Music by & © Talis Kimberley 1992
|
Talis Kimberley UK
"I'm a songwriter and singer; my songs are spun from folklore and history, stirred well with a hazel wand and served with
cake. I'll sing you ravens and bones and the story behind the story, I'll sing you bread and apples, ghosts and knitting, and bring you home with a pocketful of feathers and hope"
Voice / guitar / English concertina
Festivals, folk clubs, libraries, museums, & protests...
... more
Streaming and Download help
If you like ALBUM: Mythical Beasts: Undubbed, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp