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Wonders

by S. J. Tucker

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Pineapplecake
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Pineapplecake I love Catherynne M. Valente, and this album is such a great tribute to the Fairyland books! Favorite track: Ask Me Anything.
TimTTT
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TimTTT This is still my favorite SJ Album. I've never read the book that inspired this music, but I feel I know the story just from the music.

I promoted an SJ concert a few years ago & Wonders is the song she dedicated to me. I have to say, for better or worse it does fit me. Favorite track: Wonders.
Arwen Edmundson
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Arwen Edmundson My daughter asks for this one all the time. Then, she makes me get up to dance with her! Favorite track: Ask Me Anything.
Laura Rodemich
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Laura Rodemich I was super-hyped when this album came out and pretty much loved every track on it the moment I started listening. The children at my work were actually starting to sing Glashtyn Shanty along with me! Favorite track: Glashtyn Shanty.
ashtarasilunar
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ashtarasilunar So many fantastic songs it's hard to choose a favorite! Glashtyn Shanty, Not the Villain, and For Iago are my favorites. Favorite track: Glashtyn Shanty.
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1.
Green and black, yellow, red. Rub your belly, pat your head. Corners, edges, middle part; close one eye before you start. Nine times backwards, sideways 'round opens doors you've never found. Key flies in without a sound. Key flies in without a sound. Leopard whiskers, colored coat, let the lie escape your throat. Circus dances open roads. Seal the spell: There must be blood. Fly through kisses. Don't be rude to Latitude or Longitude. Solve the puzzle, turn the key, bleed a bit and then fly free! Hold your courage, Pumpkin Dear. One shoe off, the way is clear!
2.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G H-I -J -K ELL! Just a little different, just a little shy A heart so big and red as mine is difficult to hide I know I come on pretty strong, But I'll be your better shadow if you let me tag along It's a strange place to be, but I know my way around. Not a soul here can fly, but there are riches on the ground so don't you dare be afraid. I am here by your side It's confusing out there, but I won't leave you high and dry. Ask me anything and I'll help you find your way. For adventuring, this could be your lucky day! Never fear, my dear. If the answer isn't plain to see, cross-reference and you'll find the key! Just a little funny, just a little loud, know-how enough to do a library proud. I know I talk too much sometimes, But tell me all your wishes and I'll listen every time! It's a strange place to be when you don't know where you're bound, But I'll walk right beside you, and I'll never let you down! Oh, let all the lions threaten me! Courage follows friendship to the bottom of the sea! Ask me anything, and I'll help you find your way. For adventuring, this could be your lucky day! Never fear, my dear. If the answer isn't plain to see, cross-reference and you'll find it! Twelve of twenty-six and one of three makes me, lemon ices melting by degrees. Soon we'll lose our chains and we will all fly free. Never fear and put your trust in me! I will walk and I will dance, but flying's got to wait until I'm not the only one, and joy can never come too late! It's a strange place to be when you cannot spread your wings, but even bound as we are, we can do all sorts of things! So don't you dare be afraid. Just you hold your head up high. Never mind the ones who tell you you're too big and bold and bright! ASK ME ANYTHING, and I'll help you find your way! For adventuring, this could be your lucky day! Never fear, my dear! If the answer isn't plain to see, cross-reference and you'll find the key!
3.
Sailing Song 02:46
Hey ho little boat round about the world we go Never headed home la de doot n'dye day! Keep on moving 'til we stop name all the stars anew, ring these islands round and round under the rising moon. I laugh for the freedom of a night at sea, perilous though it may be. Secrets, name, and history Are sure to see me through. Hey ho, little boat... Keep on moving 'til we stop. Here is my dress, my sail. No longer locked upon the land but free on the rolling waves. I'll ring these islands round and round, gonna tear the lonely places down. Following the violet current now, it's easy to be brave! Hey ho, little boat... Sharks and shoes and lantern glow, Help me search for those I know. Down in the dark where the waves won't go, I'm bound to find my way. I'll ring these islands round and round, gonna tear the lonely places down! Riding the violet current now, It's easy to be brave! Hey ho, little boat...
4.
You think you know witches from stories and such maybe the truth isn't asking too much we look at the future and help it along to stir such a cauldron, you've got to be strong it's grander than fiction, the life that we lead. Just think of your prospects, my darling take heed: a sprinkle of glamour, a dollop of charm, trading family secrets and recipes long as your arm! Ask us to glance at your schedule next week. We'll churn you a forecast that wriggles and reeks made of salt and umbrellas and typewriters too and all of the things that you're ever to do There's no need for vanity, no need for fuss. We know that you're bursting to be one of us. We stir up the truth, but it's never to harm, steeped in family secrets and recipes long as your arm! (chorus) Tyranny’s child has not broken us yet Try as she might, not a drop will she get Tyranny's tantrums have come into play striking down witches for what we don't say Oh, no On the outside we look proper and prim but we battle nobility's ill-advised whim. Shameless and shining, we always ask why, for what cooks in our cauldron could call down the sky. Best believe we fought hard when temptation arrived threatening with lions and offering bribes We'd not do her bidding and draw down the moon, though she murdered our brothers and mother for want of a spoon! * Tyranny's child has not broken us yet Try as she might, not a drop will she get! Tyranny's tantrums have come into play, striking down witches for want of a day! Oh, no. It's when we are human that you must take care and learn how to dance when there's blood on the air. The world is a dangerous place, little one, but you already know there are marvelous deeds to be done! Wicked and strong in our shining we stand, straight backed with a drop of the future to hand; it's when we are human that you must take care, but wonders will come to you, darling if only you dare! Tyranny's child has not broken us yet! Try as she might, not a drop will she get! Tyranny's towers can't topple too soon from striking down witches for want of a spoon, Oh no!
5.
Wonders 04:27
There must be blood, and this I knew. Surely there can be wonders, too. I cannot leave the cages locked, or well enough alone. I can only be myself when I am so far from home. It's the wonders that I'm after, even if I have to bleed, and make very rash decisions for the sake of what I need. Dancing kisses on my cheek, it's the wonders that I seek, and I swear I am not afraid. There must be blood, and this I knew. I believe there must be wonders, too. I'll take up this quest-just say the word- even though I am small and I have no sword. A party at the end is not required, and I promise I'll keep trying, even if I get tired. It's the wonders that I'm after, even if I have to fight. It'll all be hard and bloody, even when I get it right. I know stories change their faces on an inconsistent basis, but I swear I am not afraid! There must be blood, and this I knew. I believe there must be wonders, too. If somersaults and lanterns aren't the order of the day, I will still take up my weapons, and I'll be on my way. I am stubborn and won't listen, But I've made it this far, and I'd really like to stay. here must be blood, and this I knew. Surely there can be wonders, too. I cannot leave the cages locked, or well enough alone. I can only be myself when I am so far from home. It's the wonders that I'm after, even if I have to bleed, and make very rash decisions for the sake of what I need. Dancing kisses on my cheek, it's the wonders that I seek, and I swear I am not afraid. There must be blood, and this I knew. I believe there must be wonders, too. There must be blood, and this I knew. I believe there must be wonders, too. Wonders too Don't be afraid, whatever you do!
6.
Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro heave ho Glashtyn go down to the river below Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro heave ho Glashtyn go down to the river below Gack and forth in the barleybroom To and fro we haul away Glashtyn revel in the silken gloom To and fro we haul away “Lads this tea will never do.” Haul away, haul away Tears to turn these waters blue Glashtyn haul away Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro Heave ho, Glashtyn go down in the river below Gain adventure, give a little grief To and fro we haul away Dark cool waters our toil and relief To and fro we haul away Send your smiling shadow down Haul away, haul away to call the dance in Glashtyn town Glashtyn haul away When the tithe came callin’, where were you? When the tithe comes callin’, there is nothing you can do. Haul away haul away haul away Haul away haul away haul away Heave ho Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro Heave ho, you must go down to the river below Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro Heave ho, you must go down to the river below Law of trade and sacred trust Haul away, haul away Wings all bound so none can cross Haul away, haul away Never more than one or two Haul away, haul away Glashtyn do as we must do Glashtyn haul away Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro Heave ho, a child must go down to the river below Heave ho, Glashtyn go tug the ferry to and fro Heave ho, a child must go down to the river below Haul away, haul away, haul away! Haul away, haul away, haul away! Haul away, haul away, haul away! Haul away, haul away, haul away!
7.
Go to sleep, Little Skylark. Fly up to the moon in your biplane of paper and ink. Your wings creak and croon, borne aloft by balloons, and your engine is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. Oh, go to sleep, Little Skylark. Fly up past the stars in your biplane of sunshine and ice, past comets and cars, past Neptune and Mars. Still your engine is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. Go to sleep, Little Skylark. Drift down through the night. In your biplane of silver and sighs, slip under the light. Come down from the heights, for your mother is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. For your mother is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do.
8.
There's a girl who casts no shadow with a bright sword at her side in a ship of her own making she'll leave upon the tide Through stormy seas and shark fins her tiny ship will sail and you must keep a lookout through sun and gusty gale By rush of wind, by leopard by roads to lose your way by order of the Marquess by now, by Saturday by pink and yellow teacups by words from A through L through wonders cast by witches September Morning Bell By true names and by falsehoods by lion and by light by clock and spoon and rising moon by sea, by key, by night by spriggan and by highweel by wyvern and by wind by stone and stem and hourglass by wit and by chagrin seek a girl who casts no shadow in her gleaming maryjanes and when you find this castaway who cannot leave and cannot stay by order of the missing queen whose clock has stopped today you'll cast her down in darkness you'll follow where she fell to shine a light through stormy night for September Morning Bell For she who casts no shadow must be made to obey by tide and tithe and glashtyn by now, by Saturday For all those hardly heartless by roads to lose your mind by once and future cauldron by root and leaf and vine By wing and chain and changeling by roads to lose your heart by sceptre and by copper wrench and by thy mother's sword By panther and by crystal by map and whippoorwill the seasons burn and so returns September Morning Bell The seasons burn and so returns September Morning Bell
9.
10.
True names, stopped clocks, wildest dreams Time's up, darling; let it be Who's the wicked queen and who's the princess here? The truth is far from plain, or how you think it should appear I tell you there’s a spindle that is sure to prick my hand. Who is good and who is wicked all depends on where you stand. You may call my truest name and fling it to the floor, but ticks and tocks from broken clocks can't hurt me anymore. Let’s be done with fairytales and how they’re meant to end. The truth is that I lost my way and found it here again I never meant to hide behind a clock no longer chiming. Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing, But I am not the villain in this tale! I am not the villain in this tale! Call me what you like. I’ve been as kind as I can be. Set off the alarms and bring the sky down upon me. You’d think this was the ending; we both have come so far. It’ll break your heart how very much alike we are. I never meant to hide behind a clock no longer chiming. Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing. But I am not the villain in this tale! I am not the villain in this tale! If you'd want the very truth, I'll lay it down before you: everybody's got a story. If you want the very truth it's here before your eyes: Every witch was someone's princess in some other once upon a time. Mustn't try to hide behind a clock no longer chiming. Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing. I fed you all my sweetness but it wasn’t to your taste. I may have lost this battle, but I will not be erased! No, I am not the villain in this tale! I am not the villain in this tale! I wish you your wildest dreams as I go to mine May we meet again within a better story line I wish you your wildest dreams as I escape to mine May we meet again within The perfect storyline
11.
For Iago 03:49
Dark unto my light he came. We were never much the same. He never would come in out of the rain, but I loved him, even so. Now he's turned his tail to the tempest and I have to let him go. Wind and rain hardly ever say goodbye. Nor do sleeping queens or restless lovers, little say the Ravished or leopards who can fly. He turned his eyes to September when all the clocks ran silent with a sigh. And it's one little wish for Iago on the rough and stormy sky! When all the sand runs downward, say farewell. Hurry back, with tons of tales to tell while he holds fast for the memory of that which was Mallow still. Sun and shade won't shatter on a whim. I'll not starve the breeze for missing him. And the storms shall hold a cotillion, for they'll never know he's gone, but my brother was always very good in a storm! So it's one little wish for Iago: Little Breezes and Rough Storms.
12.
Go to sleep, Little Skylark. Fly up to the moon in your biplane of paper and ink. Your wings creak and croon, borne aloft by balloons, and your engine is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. Oh, go to sleep, Little Skylark. Fly up past the stars in your biplane of sunshine and ice, past comets and cars, past Neptune and Mars. Still your engine is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. Go to sleep, Little Skylark. Drift down through the night. In your biplane of silver and sighs, slip under the light. Come down from the heights, for your mother is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do. For your mother is singing for you. Go to sleep, Little Skylark, do.

about

Is it the Wonders that you're after?
S. J.'s October 2013 release is inspired, from start to finish, by Catherynne M. Valente's Fairyland novels! Get ready for a wild ride on the back of a big red Wyverary, or a Wild Velocipede, or a Glashtyn-powered ferry, across such majestic vistas as the Worsted Wood, the Barleybroom River, and the Perverse and Perilous Sea!

You may certainly listen to the album in order as presented here, but if you'd like to experience the songs in order of the things that inspired them in the book, listen to this alternate track list instead:

1. September's Rhyme

2. Song of the Witches

3. Wonders

4. Ask Me Anything

5. Glashtyn Shanty

6. The Great Velocipede Migration

7. Little Skylark (the Worsted Wood)

8. September Morning Bell

9. Sailing Song

10. Not the Villain

11. For Iago

12. Little Skylark (Safe at Home)

COMING SOON: looseleaf tea blends inspired by several of the Wonders captured here, courtesy of Dryad Tea! Click the website if you like a little cuppa with your songs: dryadtea.com

credits

released October 1, 2013

All lead vocals, guitars, bass, keys, production, mixing, songwriting, tracking, djembe, bodhran, flutes, whistles, other percussion, and drum loop programming by S. J. Tucker
Cello by Betsy Tinney
Bass backing vocals on "Ask Me Anything" by J. M. "Captain" Loyd
Fiddle & vocals on "Song of the Witches" by Alexander James Adams
Bodhran and backing harmonies on "Wonders" by Heather Dale
Backing vocals on "Glashtyn Shanty" by Alexander James Adams, Ryan Loyd, James Tinney, and Kevin K Wiley
Lyrics for "Little Skylark" by Catherynne M. Valente, from The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making; used with permission and blessing. All other music & lyrics by S. J. Tucker
Many sound effects courtesy of the Freesound.org community: big thanks to users KVGarlic and LukeIRL

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S. J. Tucker Perry, Arkansas

“Without our songs and stories, we are nothing.” S. J. Tucker has been captain of her own music career since 2004, when she left the workaday world behind to sing songs and change lives. Tucker is the voice of lore at the campfire and the sharp laughter of modern myth. With one hand anchored in her art and the other held out to us, she is songs and stories, community and wit. ... more

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