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ALBUM: Mythical Beasts: Undubbed

by Talis Kimberley, John Jones & Kieran Taaffe

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1.
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 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 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

about

Talis says: "Back in 1996, John and Kieran and I recorded this 4-song collection at the 'Home Cooking' studio - we wanted something to punt round as a demo tape, back when cassettes were quite the thing. It was dedicated to 'Matt (of the warm hands), Rachel, and little Anna, for patience personified, support, and being there way back when!' "

credits

released May 10, 2012

John Jones: Bass, flute, bells.
Kieran Taaffe: guitar, bouzouki.
Talis Kimberley: vocals, mandolin, guitar.

All songs arranged by Jones, Kimberley, Taaffe.

Image by David Morris.

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about

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

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