1. |
September's Rhyme
01:10
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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!
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2. |
Ask Me Anything
04:35
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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!
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3. |
Sailing Song
02:46
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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...
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4. |
Song of the Witches
04:33
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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!
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5. |
Wonders
04:27
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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!
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6. |
Glashtyn Shanty
05:03
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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!
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7. |
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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.
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8. |
September Morning Bell
02:39
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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
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9. |
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10. |
Not the Villain
04:19
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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
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11. |
For Iago
03:49
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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.
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12. |
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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.
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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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