Incredible String Band
commenti, contributi e opinioni
kynoos@jadawin.info
Pagina ereditata dal sito di Atheia
Uno dei gruppi mito a cavallo di dieci anni, tra il '65 e il '74, che sapientemente iniziarono con una originale rivisitazione del folk celtico, a Edimburgo, per poi miscelare sonorità orientali e mediterranee, influenze rock, blues, dixieland ed altre ancora, a volte appesantendo le proprie composizioni fino a renderle quasi noiose, a volte invece creando momenti veramente unici, a volte ancora esagerando con le vocalità ardite di Robin Williamson, uno dei due leader con Mike Heron, ma sempre trascinando, dal vivo, migliaia di persone strabiliate da tanta ecletticità. Un monumento alla cultura hippie, acida e alternativa di quegli anni e ancora dopo, nelle produzioni solistiche e nelle riscoperte e negli incontri.
Discografia di Incredible String Band
THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, 1965 (alcuni indicano il 1966) (nelle due edizioni e copertine inglese e americana): il primo e ultimo, fino alla recente reunion del 2000, con il banjoista Clive Palmer, col cameo di "Empty pocket blues" e "Dandelion blues". Disco stupendo.
A sinistra, qui sotto, la copertina dell'edizione americana, per lungo tempo la più conosciuta sul mercato italiano: da sinistra Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson e Mike Heron. A destra la foto utilizzata nella copertina dell'edizione inglese.
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THE 5000 SPIRITS OR THE LAYERS OF THE ONION, 1966 (alcuni indicano il 1967). Entra Christine "Licorice" (Licky) McKechnie, compagna di Robin, corista.
La copertina:
THE HANGMAN'S BEAUTIFULL DAUGHTER, 1968. Collabora la compianta Dolly Collins al clavicembalo, organi e tastiere varie. Il primo disco che riesce a vendere molto bene. Da alcuni critici questo è considerato il migliore prodotto del gruppo e l'apice assoluto: come sempre un tale giudizio è difficile e dipende molto dai gusti personali dell'ascoltatore.
Le due copertine: a sinistra l'edizione USA, a destra l'edizione UK
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WEE TAM
e THE BIG HUGE,
prodotti nel 1968, venduti anche insieme come doppio (nell'edizione americana). Entra Rose Simpson, compagna di Mike. Entrambe le ragazze, oltre a cantare, suoneranno qualche strumento.
CHANGING HORSES, 1968
I LOOKED UP, 1970, editato con front cover diverse nelle edizioni UK e USA
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U, 1970. Album doppio su una rappresentazione teatrale che, così dice la stampa, non riscosse successo e fu, addirittura, fallimentare. L'album ha comunque pezzi eccezionali, come la strumentale di Robin "Astral plane theme", veramente incredibile per il virtuosismo alla chitarra, "Hirem Pawnitoff" di Mike ed altre. L'album, nel suo complesso, è veramente molto bello.
BE GLAD FOR THE SONG HAS NO ENDING, 1970. Questo invece é la colonna sonora di un film, che si può ordinare consultando il sito omonimo che suggeriamo alla pagina dei Link. Il film é breve, spezzettato, due brevi interviste ai due leader, due pezzi dal vivo e la pantomima finale. Rivisto oggi é deludente.
nel 1971 Rose Simpson se ne va e arrivano nel 1972 Malcolm LeMaistre, basso, voce e danza, che poi scriverà splendidi pezzi, e Gerard Dott, nel 1973, tastiere e reed.
Nel 1971 viene pubblicata la doppia antologia RELICS OF THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND,
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Mike Heron realizza il solo SMILING MAN WITH BAD REPUTATION, molto interessante, con J.J. Cale e parte degli Who, e Robin Williamson nel 1972 il mitico MYRRH, disco a volte fastidioso per i vocalizzi dell'autore ma comunque, per l'atmosfera orientaleggiante, mitica e favolistica e per le melodie, veramente affascinante.
LIQUID ACROBAT AS REGARDS THE AIR segue, nel 1971. Sembra di capire che gran parte dei fans (perlomeno quelli che maggiormente scrivono nella mailing-list su Yahoo dedicata al gruppo) ritengano che già con "Be glad..." inizi la fase calante del gruppo e che non abbiano gran ché in simpatia Malcolm LeMaistre. Il curatore di questo sito dissente da questo giudizio e, guarda caso, apprezza molto Malcolm Le Maistre.
Su Youtube si può ascoltare questo pezzo di Malcolm LeMaistre (non saprei se pubblicato in qualche antologia del gruppo)
EARTHSPAN, nel 1973, porta l'inconfondibile impronta di Malcolm LeMaistre, dalla splendida voce. Personalmente il curatore di questo sito lo ha tra i preferiti.
NO RUINOUS FEUD, del 1973, é considerato da alcuni "critici" e da gran parte dei fans il peggiore. Naturalmente non per noi. E' molto eclettico, ha varie influenze più moderne e quasi tutto é godibilissimo. Si può forse dire che è più "commerciale" degli altri, questo sì.
Una foto di un concerto (circa 1973): da sinistra Malcolm, Robin e Mike:
HARD ROPE AND SILKEN TWINE, del 1974, é l'ultimo album. Presenta due pezzi dal vivo, "Cold february" di Robin Williamson, dall'impianto tradizionale, chitarra e flauto, e il sempreverde "Black Jack Davy", ufficialmente di Mike Heron, su cui i critici hanno fatto molta confusione. Sembra un tradizionale, ma la firma di Heron induce a credere che sia una composizione nuova. In realtà l'avevano già incisa prima gli Steeleye Span e anche altri gruppi. La seconda facciata é interamente occupata da una suite di Heron in più movimenti, "Ithkos", con un impianto sostanzialmente rock. Tutto l'album e' molto interessante.
Da Youtube un concentrato della lunga suite "Ithkos"
Nel 1976 compare la doppia antologia SEASONS THEY CHANGE, con l'inedito di Heron "Queen Juanita and her fisherman lover".
Dopodiché il gruppo si scioglie (pare che si sia sciolto, di fatto, nel 1974), i suoi componenti prendono strade diverse. Mike Heron e anche Robin Williamson si fanno irretire, subito dopo “U”, da Scientology, anche se sembra che l'unico a rimanerne sempre influenzato rimane Robin. Mike Heron prende con se LeMaistre, John Gilston alla batteria e Graham Forbes alla chitarra e fonda i "Mike Heron's reputation", incidendo l'omonimo LP nel 1975, seguito da "Diamonds of dream": opere di rock gradevole anche se non eccelso. Robin Williamson va a Los Angeles e inizia una interessantissima nuova strada alla riscoperta del folk celtico, con pezzi nuovi, antichi testi a cui aggiunge la musica, antiche musiche a cui aggiunge i testi e così via. Basti dire che dopo lo stentato "Journey's edge" Robin produce lo spendido "American Stonehenge", che darà l'inizio alla sua fortunata produzione ulteriore.
Nel 1991 viene pubblicato ON AIR, registrazioni eseguite esclusivamente negli studi della BBC britannica per le sue trasmissioni radiofoniche, sembrerebbe, leggendo il libretto interno, nel 1970. Le uniche due composizioni mai pubblicate in alcun album, precedentemente, sono "Jane" e "1968" di Mike Heron.
E nel 1992 sempre la BBC pubblica LIVE IN CONCERT, registrato nel '71-'72 al Paris Theatre di Londra.
Nel 1997 viene pubblicato, a cura di Robin Williamson, THE CHELSEA SESSIONS 1967, incisioni effettuate quando Robin tornò dal Marocco e si riunì con Mike per incidere altro materiale dopo l'album di esordio.
Mike Heron ha pubblicato, nel 1996, "Where the mystics swimm" e una "reunion" dal vivo, nel 1997, con Robin, dal titolo "Bloomsbury 1997", in edizione limitata. Di entrambi e della ISB sono state pubblicate diverse edizioni di pezzi inediti, di concerti dal vivo e di prime incisioni (vedi di seguito).
FIRST GIRL I LOVED, 1998. Concerti canadesi del 1972
BLOOMSBURY 2000, 2001. Una edizione limitata con il concerto di Londra del 2000 dopo la riformazione della band con Robin e Bina Williamson, Mike Heron, Clive Palmer e Lawson Dando.
Nel 2003 Robin Williamson non riesce più a conciliare i propri progetti solisti, con la moglie Bina, e tour permanenti con la band, almeno per tutto il 2003. Il gruppo e il sito decidono, per questo motivo, di cambiare in Incrediblestringband2003. La decisione viene contestata e comunque non viene gradita da molti dei fans che, in questi ultimi anni, sono aumentati considerevolmente di numero.
HERITAGE, 2003, un'altra antologia con alcuni brani particolari e dal vivo.
NEBULOUS NEARNESSES viene pubblicato nel 2004. Viene registrato negli studi di Peter Gabriel Real World di fronte ad una elite di fans invitati per l'occasione. Contribuiscono il percussionista islandese Steini Gudmundsson ed il bassista Gavin Dickie. Alla formazione si è comunque unita la musicista Fluff. Il CD è una antologia, senza materiale nuovo: è bello, interessante, pulito, con la bella voce femminile di Fluff e quella, un po' acciaccata, di Clive Palmer. Il gruppo prosegue nel 2006, sempre assente Robin Williamson.
INTRODUCING THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, luglio 2006. Sinceramente non si vede l'utilità di questo cd, una ennesima antologia dei vecchi pezzi del gruppo.
Nel 2006 pare che la nuova avventura dell'Incredible String Band si sia conclusa: il sito internet è sparito, non si hanno notizie di concerti e di progetti.
Discografia di Robin Williamson (LP e CD album)
Myrrh, 1972
come "Robin Williamson & his Merry Band"
Journey's Edge, 1977
American Stonehenge, 1978
Glint at the Kindling (1979)Selected Writings 1980-1983; (pubblicati in origine separatamente),
Songs of Love & Parting/Five Bardic Mysteries (il primo è con la Merry Band, pubblicati separatamente), 1981
The Merry Band's Farewell Concert at McCabe's (1979) (edizione limitata, pubblicato nel 1997)
come "Robin Williamson"
Music for the Mabinogi, 1983 (rappresentazione teatrale sull'antico poema gallese Mabinogion)
Legacy of the scottish harpers, 1984
The dragon has two tongues, 1985 (colonna sonora della serie di documentari TV della HTV Wales sulla storia del Galles)
Legacy of the scottish harpers, volume two, 1986
Winter's turning, 1987
Songs and Music, 1977 (Merry Band Compilation, 1986)
Ten of songs, 1988
Songs for children, 1988
Music for the newly born (edizione limitata di incisioni strumentali del 1990)
A glint at the kindling/Selected writings, 1992
Songs of love/Five bardic mysteries, 1994
Songs for children of all ages, 1995
The island of the strong door, 1996, in CD nel 2000
Songs for the calendarium, 1996
Dream Journals, 1966-1976, 1997
Celtic harp airs & dance tunes, 1997
Mirrorman Sequences 1961-1966, 1997 (appunti musicali durante il periodo della ISB)
Dream journals 1966-76, 1997 (seconda parte di Mirrorman Sequences, appunti musicali durante il periodo della ISB)
Memories/Errinnerungen, 1997, (un'edizione di sponsorizzazione della Opel veramente limitata)
Gems of celtic story-one, 1998
Gems of celtic story-two, 1998 storie recitate con accompagnamenti saltuari di musica
Ring Dance, 1998 (canzoni scritte tra i '60 e i '70)
A job of journey work, 1998
Pig’s Whisker Sampler, 1998 (edizione limitata con 15 pezzi promozionali di Radio USA)
The Old Fangled Tone, 1999 (due edizioni diverse)
Music for Macbeth, 1999
Songs for children of all ages/Winter’s turning, 1999
Robert Louis Stevenson's EDINBURGH, 2000, non proprio accreditato a Robin Williamson ma nella sua discografia. Robin legge brani dall'opera di Stevenson, con musiche da, come recita il sito di Williamson, Edinburgh Lothian Buses Classic tour of Edinburgh
The seed at zero, 2000
Gems of celtic story-three, 2001 (o 2002?)
Skirting the River Road (Songs and Settings of Whitman, Blake and Vaughan), 2002
Four Gruagach tales, 2CD, 2006
come "Robin & Bina Williamson"
Carmina, 2001
Skirting the river road, 2002 (accreditato in alcuni siti solamente a Robin Williamson)
come "Robin Williamson & Mike Heron"
Boomsbury 1997, 1998 (la reunion dal vivo con Mike Heron, edizione limitata e bootleg ufficiale del concerto di Londra)
come "Robin Williamson & Clive Palmer"
At the pure fountain, 1999, atteso ma improvviso, la reunion con Cive Palmer dopo trent'anni
come "Williamson Palmer Dando Williamson"
Just like the ivy & other favourites songs, 2000, di nuovo per uno splendido disco con Clive Palmer, la moglie Bina e l'ottimo tastierista e chitarrista Lawson Dando. Nel sito di "Be glad" http://makingtime.co.uk/beglad/ alla pagina della discografia di Robin Williamson questo cd viene accreditato come "Robin nWilliamson & Clive Palmer".
come "John Renbourn & Robin Williamson"
Wheel of fortune, 1993
attualmente si ha un po' di difficoltà a reperire eventuali nuove uscite di Robin Williamson. Il suo sito non fornisce la sua discografia completa......
Discografia di Mike Heron (LP e CD album)
Smiling men with bad reputations, 1971
The Glenrow tapes, 1993 (editato in CD solo pocoo prima del 2006, precedentemente accreditato come "Incredible Acoustic Band" o come "Mike Heron's Incredible Acoustic band"
Where the mystics swimm, 1996 (due edizioni, la seconda ri-arrangiata)
Conflict of emotions, 1998 (vecchie incisioni tra i '60 e i '70)
Casablanca, prima pubblicato in LP nel 1979 e poi ri-editato in CD nel 2002
Futurefields, 2002. Contiene registrazioni in studio di pezzi eseguiti dal vivo da Mike Heron e Lawson Dando nei concerti dell'Incredible String Band
Echo coming back, 2005. E' una compilation che si riferisce alla produzione di Mike Heron dopo l'Incredible String Band, con sei pezzi inediti
Discografia di Mike Heron's Reputation
Mike Heron's Reputation, 1974
Diamond of dreams, 1976
Discografia di Incredible Acoustic Band (Mike Heron)
Incredible Acoustic Band: official bootleg, 1993
Discografia di Mike Heron's Incredible Acoustic Band
The voiceprint radio sessions, 1993
Discografia di Malcolm LeMaistre
The enid-The fool, 1980, un singolo co-scritto da Malcolm
Strangeways, 1994 Indigo1203-2, un CD Extended Play pubblicato in Germania, di cui non si sa nient'altro
Nothing strange, 1994, album veramente splendido!
Sono in attesa dell'annunciata uscita del nuovo disco di Malcolm It's never that simple, previsto per aprile 2007. Ho ascoltato nella pagina di Malcolm LeMaistre http://www.myspace.com/malcolmlemaistre i quattro brani presenti, Passengers, Where the whales sings, My mother was a liberal e Frida Khalo: al di là del testo, che andrebbe letto con calma, mi sono piaciuti molto e, come spesso mi accade con i brani di Malcolm, ho provato una inspiegabile emozione ascoltandoli...
Il CD è uscito in giugno del 2007, ai primi ascolti è molto bello ed è più personale del precedente, come Malcolm stesso conferma in questa intervista http://www.trilogyrock.com/descarregues.php , che è più o meno di luglio 2007.
It's never that simple, 2007
Biografia da http://www.answers.com/topic/malcolm-le-maistre
Malcolm Le Maistre (born 1949) is a British musician, experimental artist and theatre director, who was a member of The Incredible String Band in the 1970s.
He was born in England, his father a French-born journalist and his mother an American writer. After they split up, he attended boarding school in Surrey where he developed an interest in experimental theatre. In 1966, with friend John "Rakis" Koumantarakis, he moved to London, where they promoted one of the first concerts by Pink Floyd, and then joined David Medalla's Exploding Galaxy counter-cultural dance troupe.[1]
He met Robin Williamson and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band in New York in 1968, and returned with Williamson and others to set up a commune in a farmhouse near Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales. There, they developed ideas for multi-media artistic experiments, and Le Maistre appeared in the BBC TV Omnibus feature on the ISB, Be Glad For the Song Has No Ending. The same year he established the Stone Monkey dance and mime troupe, and helped develop the stage show "U", which provided the basis of the Incredible String Band album of the same name, released in 1970. In 1971, Rose Simpson left the ISB, and Le Maistre, who had been living with the band and their friends on the Tennant estate near Innerleithen in Scotland, replaced her. He learned to play various musical instruments over the next few months, and contributed as a musician, songwriter and singer to the ISB albums Liquid Acrobat as Regards the Air (1971), Earthspan (1972), No Ruinous Feud (1973), and Hard Rope and Silken Twine (1974).[1]
After the ISB split up in 1974, Le Maistre stayed with Heron as a member of his new band, Mike Heron's Reputation. In the late 1970s he attempted a solo career, also working with The Enid, and then moved into theatre, forming The Mandarin Theatre Company with Rakis. In 1991 he set up the Environmental Arts Theatre Company[2], based in Edinburgh, which presents original theatre and song about the environment at schools and other community venues in Scotland. In 1994 he released a solo album, Nothing Strange, later re-released in Germany. He has continued as a musician, most recently as a member of The Radiant Men[3]. As songwriter and singer of The Barrow Band, he has also prepared teaching material for primary schools on healthy eating. In May 2007 he released a new album titled It's never that simple, a very interesting work available only in the web, with folk roots based songs and lyrics about his family's story.
Discografia di Clive Palmer
Edinburgh Folk Festival Vol. 1, (Various Artists) (partecipazione)
Jazbo's Holiday, (Robin & Clive) (data di pubblicazione: sconosciuta)
Sunshine Possibilities, 1969 (membro della Famous Jug Band)
Spirit of Love, 1970
Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart , 1972
Blue Morning/Bones, (data di pubblicazione: sconosciuta)
Just Me (data di pubblicazione: sconosciuta)
Dark Eyes (data di pubblicazione: sconosciuta)
Country Lanes (data di pubblicazione: sconosciuta)
Suns and Moons, 1976 (Clive Palmer & Bob Deveraux)
The Archive Tapes, 1989
House of Images, 1993 (in cassetta)
O for summer, 2002 (membro della Famous Jag Band, terzo disco in assoluto del gruppo a quasi trent'anni dal secondo, con alcuni nuovi brani)
Sands of time, 2004. Dieci pezzi mai incisi dal 1999 e altri due inediti
All roads lead to land, 2004
dal sito "Be Glad..": altre attività
Clive Palmer è apparso su un paio di cose non comunemente conosciute di Hamish Imlach nel 1967. Nel disco di Ralph McTell "My side of the window" del 1969 Clive suonò il violino. Più tardi fu in questi gruppi che non producevano dischi: Strockroom 5, Temple creatures, Rhombus, Crooks & Nannies. Non dimentichiamo COB e le partecipazioni di Clive & Bob. Fece anche un album nel 1967 che non è stato mai editato, prodotto da Peter Eden del Victorian Banjo Tunes, una traccia da quel disco fu comparve 5 anni fa su un campione per l'etichetta di Woronzow amministrata da Nic Saloman ie Bevis Frond, il motivo era "A Coventry Carol", l'album ora è cancellato.
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The Incredible String Band
composta da Robin Williamson, Mike Heron, Clive Palmer, Bina Williamson e Lawson Dando
ha suonato
Two Nights At The Boomsbury Theatre, Londra,
il 17 e 18 Agosto 2000
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E ancora: la band ha suonato, ancora meglio che prima, di nuovo al teatro di Londra il 3 e il 4 Agosto 2001.
Breve cronaca
di Jadawin:
Sono stato a quello del 4 Agosto 2001: non mi ha convinto la scarsa importanza avuta da Mike Heron, nascosto dietro non si sa che tipo di tastiere e che ha suonato una sola volta la chitarra, e la sua cattiva voce almeno in una sua canzone. Mi ha strabiliato Clive Palmer, anche con l'esecuzione di "Air" di Mike Heron con la sua voce profonda (che altri fan invece non hanno apprezzato in quella canzone), ma attendevo "Empty pocket blues" che, però, non é arrivata. Strabiliante il tastierista e anche chitarrista Lawson Dando, che giudico il tocco decisivo per la band di oggi, e Robin Williamson, che sembra essere il fulcro e il leader del gruppo, che stavolta non ha esagerato coi suoi troppo azzardati vocalismi. Quello che proprio non mi piace è l'inconsistente voce (che ha anche stonato più volte e poi sbagliato un attacco in coro con Heron) di Bina Williamson e la canzone folkloristica indiana che ha cantato: proprio non ci siamo.
Vorrei che arrivasse anche il bravissimo Malcolm LeMaistre e che il canto di Bina potesse migliorare.......
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Testi
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The Incredible String Band, 1965-1966
Maybe someday
October song
When the music starts to play
Schaeffer's jig (Instrumental)
Womankind
The tree
Whistle tune (Instrumental)
Dandelion blues
Oh Lord how happy I am
Empty pocket blues
Smoke shovelling song
Can't keep me here
Good as gone
Footsteps of the heron
Niggertown (Instrumental)
Everything's fine right now
| Maybe someday by Mike Heron Maybe someday she will come, come along long Maybe someday she will come, come along long Maybe someday she will come, come along long maybe someday she will come along Sitting here with my arms around my music Thinking of the girl that I might spend the whole of my days with Until then I will do the best that I can And any fine young girl that I might meet'That I could use, keep my eye on. Mother tried the very best tat she could do, That was no good, the one she chose, I did not like the way her teeth grew. One fine day I took a walk down by the river, Fair maid did lie and she did sigh As I stooped down to kiss her. |
October song by Robin Williamson I'll sing you this October song, Oh, there is no song before it. The words and tune are none of my own, for my joys and sorrows bore it. Beside the sea The brambly briars in the still of evening, Birds fly out behind the sun, and with them I'll leavng. The fallen leaves that jewel the ground, They know the art of dying, And leave with joy their glad gold hearts, In the scarlet shadows lying. When hunger calls my footsteps home, The morning follows after, I swim the seas within my mind, And the pine-trees laugh green laughter. I sed to search for happiness, And I used to follow pleasure, But I found a door behind my mind, And that's the greatest treasure. For rulers like to lay down laws, And rebels like to break them, And the poor priests like to walk in chains, And God likes to forsake the. I met a man whose name was Time, And he said, "I must be goin," But just how long that was, I have no way of knowing. Sometimes I want to murder time, Sometimes when my heart's aching, But mostly I just stroll along, The path that he is taking. |
| When the music starts
to play by Mike Heron All my life and it's been a short one; I've met the happy and the sad together. I chased the soft warm air that flew before me, And through the storm on wings of love, the song of life bore me. And when the music starts to play let e be around, (I said) When the music starts to play let me be around. Oh, can't you see how my heart soars high, When I hear that music. When the music starts to play let me be around. When sadness lays his cold fist on my shoulder, And pushes me in icy waters drowning, The gentle hand of music lifts me smiling, And through these sounds my heart takes bounds, I happy am. |
Womankind by Robin Williamson I sing for love of womankind, I have one in my heart and mind, Low, my heart aches for her. My soul swims naked in her streams, And in her meadows lies to dream, Hay, what need to waken. Her breast blow blossom in my hands, Her eyes shine moons on secret lands, As through my clouds her raven thoughts go flying. Space nearly parts and nearly joins, Love's magic song moans through her loins, Well hay, the league-long sweets of loving. May she glow always in her sun, have nothing lost and nothing won, Oh, now what fear can chain her? Oh blessed is he who joys and grieves Who wears the coat the rainbow weaves Lo, around his body. |
| The tree by Mike Heron I had a Tree, in the dream hills where my childhood lay. And I'd go there in the wide, long days, And my Tree would listen to all that I'd say. And the sun was shining brightly, and the sky was smiling, and the sun was shining brightly, and the sky was smiling. |
Dandelion blues by Robin Williamson You meet a girl, She moves soft eyes and pulls you in the game. Perhaps you do not wonder her reasons or her name. You'll follow her on out the room, How sweet her body flows, Say take it easy, make it lazy, That's the way to go. Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy don't even have to try. You may lip your flute or pick your strigs to hear the music grow, Maybe you'll stand by a while, it all comes through you so, Just maybe you will hit magic sounds that call you to your heart, And gently you will follow down and view yourself apart Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy don't even have to try. If when the moon's a toothy smile you meet a whirling wind, Whirls you clear to nowhere and forgets where you came in, There is no call to worry, or be sorry that you came, You may maze along there for a space, oh buddy and then come back to your name. Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy don't even have to try. Now, if your man gets busted and you hope to go his bail, Suppose you cannot borrow money, you may go to borrow the mail, Yes, if yor mangets busted and you hope to go his fine, You may laze along to the judge's house, sweet woman, and set it on he line. Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy, Do believe it's easy don't even have to try. |
| Oh, Lord how happy I am by Mike Heron Oh, Lord how happy I am, Oh, Lord how happy I am, I won't feel sad 'till the whiskey's gone. Oh, Lord how happy I am. Oh, when I met my first woman, you know, she was nice and kind as can be. Now she go walking out all over towwn, and she do just what she please. Well, if she thinks I'm sitting here An' I'm waiting for her to come home, She wanna come a little closer to me right now, and I'll tell you how happy I am. Now, a whole lot of women in this world, They making trouble for all you men; They're strutting around all over town, And then walking back home again; Well, if you think that she's got you down, And she's started to count to ten, Just look at her with one eye closed, And sing to her again. |
Empty pocket blues by Clive Palmer My pocket’s empty baby Singing the blues for you My pocket’s empty baby You know I loved you true Even my old kettle is whistling the blues for you Back again, I’m still waiting (to go) Back again with you The nights are lonely baby I need you all the time I’m lonely baby Need your lips on mine Even my old kettle is whistling the blues for you Back again, I’m still wailing To go back again with you My pocket’s empty, just Singing the blues for you My pocket’s empty baby You know I loved you true Even my old kettle is whistling the blues for you Back again, I’m still waiting (to go) back again with you |
| Smoke shovelling song by Robin Williamson Last winter blew so cold no lies, And my fire smoke would not rise; Soon as the smoke tried to depart, It'd be froze up harder thatn a landlord's heart. I called up the police and they came around Three days later and very brought down. The sergeant he gave me this hysterical croak. Says, "What do you think you have going here, some kind of joke?" (of course I wasn't laughing) He says, "You're causing us officers so much grief, Why don't you give us some relief? Why don't you call the fire brigade? Or maybe why don't you try shovelling the smoke up the chimney with a spade." I borrowed a spade from the woman next door, And I broke up the smoke that remained on the floor, I was shovelling away, 'till the closing day singing a smoke-shovelling song. After working so hard I went out to my yard, And I looked up to my chimney so long, (there was nothing to see there) Just a thousand foot high, way into the sky, Was a pillar of smoke full of song. There was an airplane stuck in it, but I didn't notice at first it was so cunningly disguised as a dragon. Came the summer at last, though it was rainy and fast, The pillar it melted away, The airplane fell with a big smoky smell, And echoing around all over the town, Was the words of the smoke shovelling song. Any anyone telling a bigger story would have to be telling a lie, And anyone think a bigger one up, Have to be very high. |
Can't keep me here by Mike Heron I'm going way over the white skyline And I'll sing and be happy And you can't keep me here no how. And I'll sing and be happy and my world is my own And I'll do what I want to And you can't keep me here no how. Hey baby, don't cry for me Hey baby, when the sun comes up I'll be free. And I'm going way over the white skyline And I'll sing and be happy And you can't keep me here no how. Ah baby, don't cry for me Hey baby, when the sun comes up I'll be free. And I'm going way over the white skyline And I'll sing and be happy Cause you can't keep me here no how. |
| Good as gone by Robin Williamson A strange thought just crossed my mind paid the rains back in kind. Twas the thought of sweet May coming on. The days are running so slow, my heart is aching to go, and my feet surely itch for the road. Um the long hard summer. Oh now the summer long. Things I must do places to see, Things I must do, I've nothing now to hold me here, And I'll take the southward road. I have been tied to this land since the day I was planned, By the need to feed my body and my mind; Look can you work 'till you're grey, waste your whole life away; What security then do you find? I don't have no one to cheat, don't have no one to beat, I just need some roon to uncurl, I don't have no aim in view, just some dreams to pursue, As I wallow around in the world. |
Footsteps of the
heron by Mike Heron One day as I sat in a big noisy crowd, There was me and the whole of my conscience. And I thought that I wouldn't be missed if I went, and that my going would be of no importance. And I've nothing to do, And I've nowhere to go; I'm not in the slightest way upset. I'm not chasing a hope, or a dream or a plan; And I'm not even chasing the sunset. The pussycat laughed and he followed me down, As we walked through the crowds without motion; He said he would stay, but he ran clear away, I just laughed at his lack of devotion. I met this fink, tried to buy me a drink, And he says, I don't care 'bout no money." I said, "Neither do I, but I'd buy you a guy, If I thought you were trying to get funny." This man I did meet, spoke to me through his feet, And he said, "I don't care either 'bout no money." I said, "Neither do I but I buy wings to fly, 'Cause without them the sun ain't so sunny." |
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Everything's fine right now by Mike Heron Who's that knocking on my door? Can't see no-one right now. Got my baby here by me, can't stop, no, no, not now. Oh, come a little closer to my breast, I'll tell you that you're the one I really love the best, and you don't have to worry about any of the rest, 'cause everything's fine right now. And you don't have to talk and you don't have to sing, You don;t have to do nothing at all; Just lie around and do as you please, you don't have for to fall. Oh, come a little closer to my breast, I'll tell you that you're the one I really love the best, and you don't have to worry about any of the rest, 'cause everything's fine right now. Oh, my, my, it looks kind of dark. Looks lie the night's rolled on. Best thing you do is just lie here by me, of course only just until the dawn. Oh, come a little closer to my breast, I'll tell you that you're the one I really love the best, and you don't have to worry about any of the rest, 'cause everything's fine right now. |
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The 5000 spirits or the layers of the onion, 1966-1967
Chinese white
No sleep blues
Painting Box
The Mad Hatter's song
Little cloud
The eyes of Fate
Blues for the muse
The Hedgehog's song
First girl I loved
You know what you could be
My name is Death
Gently tender
Way back in the 1960s
| Chinese white by Mike Heron The bent twig of darkness Grows the petals of the morning; It shows to them the birds singing just behind the dawning. Come dip into the cloud cream lapping; I can't keep my hand on the plough Because it's dying. But I will lay me down with my arms round a rainbow, And I will lay me down to dream. Oh, will your magic Christmas tree be shining Gently all around? Climbing up these figures The sun is tugging at my shoulder. And, every step I take, I think my feet are getting older. I see the crystal dreams unfolding, I can't keep my eyes on the book because it's mouldring. But I will lay me down with my arms round a rainbow, And I will lay me down to dream. Oh, will your magic Christmas tree be shining Gently all around?
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No sleep blues by Robin Williamson Cracks rack the windows, Howls hold the floor; Rains rot the rafters, And do you just have to snore? It's a most inclement climate, for the season of the night, Is that mouse playing football, oh I thought they didn't like the light? And the dawn comes sneaking up When it thinks I'm not looking; I am starting to grieve, man, I used to know but now I believe, man. They tell me sleep is a gas, and if I want to lay down, But I'm sorry I woke you, I mean I've got the no sleep blues. There's mayhem in this mansion, Since the cows were coming home, With delirium no sleepum, In a cloud of nylon foam. But release scours the outhouse, And a hard rain sears the sky, But if you let the pigs decide it, They will put you in the sty. And the dawn comes sneaking up When it thinks I'm not looking; I am starting to grieve, man, I used to know but now I believe, man. They tell me sleep is a gas, and if I want to lay down, But I'm sorry I woke you, I mean I've got the no sleep blues. I think I'll get a picture, And I think I'll put it on a nail. I think I'll get another one, And put it in a pail. But the pail got so rusty I called it red, red, red for fun, And I laughed like a leaver till you ought to seen it run. And the dawn comes sneaking up When it thinks I'm not looking; I am starting to grieve, man, I used to know but now I believe, man. They tell me sleep is a gas, and if I want to lay down, But I'm sorry I woke you. I mean I've got the no sleep blues. The size of the future declared itself no part, Aloof like a Sultan in the autumn of your heart, But the heart got so hearty, that it pulled for the shore, And the sailors fired a big salute, and it made my ears quite sore. And the dawn was sneaking up When it thinks I'm not looking; I am starting to grieve, man, I used to know but now I believe, man They tell me sleep is a gas, and I want to lay down, But I'm sorry I woke you, I mean I've got the no sleep blues. I mixed stones and water just to see what it would do. And the water it got stoney, and the stones got watery too. So I mixed my feet with water just to see what could be seen, And the water it got dirty, and the feet they got quite clean. And the dawn comes sneaking up When it thinks I'm not looking; I am starting to grieve, man, I used to know but now I believe, man. They tell me sleep is a gas, and if I want to lay down, But I'm sorry I woke you, I mean I've got the no sleep blues, |
| Painting
box by Mike heron When the morning of your eyes comes waking through my shadows Leaving just a trace of twilight sleep, I whisper to the baby raindrops playing on my window, And tell them gently this is not the time that they should weep. For somewhere in my mind there is a painting box, I have every colour there it's true. Just lately when I look inside my painting box, I seem to pick the colours of you. My Friday evening's foot-steps plodding dully through this black town, Are far away now from the world that I'm in. My eyes are listening to some sounds that I think just might be springtime, With daffodils between my toes I'm laughing at their whim, And somewhere in my mind there is a painting box, I have every colour there it's true, Just lately when I look inside my painting box, I seem to pick the colours of you. Oh somewhere in my mind there is a painting box, I have every colour there it's true. Just lately when I look inside my painting box, I seem to pick the colours of you. The purple sail above me catches all the strength of summer. Fishes stop and ask me where I am bound. I smile and shake my head and say my little ship is sinking, But I kind of like the sea that I'm on, and I don't mind if I do drown. For somewhere in my mind there is a painting box, I have every colour there it's true. Just lately when I look inside my painting box, I seem to pick the colours of you.
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The Mad Hatter's
song by Robin Williamson Oh seekers of spring how could you not find contentment In a time of riddling reasons in this land of the blind By the joke of fate alone it's sure that as the loved hand leaves you, You clutch for the slip-stream, the realness to find. But do what you like, do what you like, do what you like, do what you like, do what you like, do what you can, do what you can, live till you die My poor little man. For Jesus will stretch out his hand no more. But in the south there's many a waving tree; Oh would that musky fingers move your pain; In the warm south winds the lost flowers bloom again. And if you cried, you know you'd fill a lake with tears, Still wouldn't turn back the years, Since the city has took you, Mad Hatter is on my mind. So sad, sad to see the way it grew Those other people that I knew That have either fell or faltered. Mad Hatter is on my mind. And you must have to see clear some time. Prometheus the problem child, still juggling with his brains Gives his limping leopard's visions to the miser in his veins. Within the ruined factory is the normal soul insane As he sets the sky beneath his heel And learns away the pain. But I am the archer the lover of laughter, And mine is the arrowed flight. I am the archer, and my eyes yearn after the unsullied sight. Born of the dark waters of the daughters of night, Dancing without movement after the clear light. Oh Perithian fate be kind in the rumbling and trundling rickshaw of time. Hooked by the heart to the king fisher's line, I will set my one eye for the shores of the blind. |
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Little cloud by Mike Heron How sweet to be a cloud, floating in the blue. Lying awake, late the other night Heard above me a trembling, I looked up, it was a little cloud, From which a gold string was dangling; You know, I gave the string a little pull, Just to see what was on the other end. Just then a voice came down to me, says, "Hey, now, don't you want to be my friend, And float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair; Float with me to distant lands wondrous and fair? You see I'm just a happy little cloud, I laugh and float and sing my song, But the other clouds don't like me none. They say I am behaving very wrong. You see a cloud's supposed to be sad, To cry and weep and tear its hair and all, And don't matter how hard I try, I can't get the first little tear to fall." And float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair; Float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair; I said, "Hey, I like you little cloud, You are a nice little fellow, yes." "You making some, kind of a joke?", said the cloud, "Now can't you see I'm wearing such a pretty dress? You see I am the prettiest little chick cloud That you'd find anywhere up above. I just dropped in on you awhile To see if you could give me some kind of love." And float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair; Float with me to distant lands wondrous and fair; Just then the chief cloud come into view And says, "Hey, girl, now what you think you're doing there? I told you so many times before You just don't seem at all to care. You know you should be floating up above, now Don't let me catch you down here again." And as my cloud pulled out of view, There come failing down a gentle shower of rain. Happy rain come failing down, Red, green, blue and golden. And every drop, as it fell, it smiled And, throwing back its head, began singing, "Oh float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair; Float with me to distant lands, wondrous and fair." |
Eyes of fate by Robin Williamson Oh, who can see in the eyes of fate? All life alone in its chronic patterns. Oh, swan, let me fly you To the land of no winds blowing. I know nothing, and know that I know nothing; All is in the eye, and in its blinks of seeing. So just like the morning The ghost of the following day. Listen: Ory, cry, cry..... Rear the rollers wild and stormy Echoes wholly only lonely long beforey, ory ory. All rivalry and opinion still cast their wild spells. Effort and contrariness change the directions of time. The lion still growls in your hollowness. Please let's be easy, please let's be friends. Watching and learning like small children. Till out of the morning is growing the strength of the day. Listen: Ory, cry, cry..... Rear the rollers wild and stormy Echoes wholly only lonely long beforey, ory, ory. Servant of fame or fame for a servant, You see what you see, you see seldom what is. Servant of fate or fate for a servant, You see what you see, you see seldom what is. Servant of fate, ohhhhhh. |
| Blues for the muse by Robin Williamson I wake up in the early when I see my day walk in; I wake up in the early when I start to begin. I drink up my coffee to drive dreams away, And I think about leaving but remain for the day. Oh Glory but I just stay blind, Think about my loving, yes, some of the time I want to take it easy, Ain't it hard like they say, But I can play. And most any morning, most any morning I like to be born into my guitar day. They say it's all butterflies, Don't let your dreams get in your eyes, But Orpheus made the sunrise, 'Cause he knew how to play. She sings so fadey, Called the sweet guitar lady. She's a noted writer, I just can't seem to let her be. And she is my flower, I call her my easy hour. She's a low special, Baby that's enough for me. And it's all right, you're in the graveyard now. Well it's all right, you're in the graveyard now. You may weep, you may moan, You may pass your life so gay, But lucky in life, I swear sometimes, Surely going to have to meet your leaving day. Well, she sings like the seashore, Tonight I'm going to ride on your seesaw. I will call up the Angels if they have a little word to say, And I think I'll try cloudwalking. It's just my face you see here talking, And it's just the guitar singing, And I have to let her have her way.
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The Hedgehog's
song by Mike Heron I'm not the kind to complain That I never had a girl to love. Many a fine girl I tried hard to know, But I think I never tried enough. Sitting one day by myself, And I'm thinking, "What could be wrong?" When this funny little Hedgehog comes running up to me, And it starts up to sing me this song. Oh, you know all the words, and you sung all the notes, But you never quite learned the song, she sang. I can tell by the sadness in your eyes, That you never quite learned the song. Every day when the sun go down, And the evening is so very still, Many a fine girl I've held in my arms, And I hope there's many more that I will, But just when everything is going fine, And absolutely nothing is wrong, This funny little Hedgehog's always around And every time he wants to sing me this song. Oh, you know all the words, and you sung all the notes, But you never quite learned the song, she sang. I can tell by the sadness in your eyes, That you never quite learned the song. One day when the moon was full I thought I might settle down, Found myself a pretty little girl, And I stopped all my running around; But just when the preacher come along, And he's just gonna pop on the ring, This funny little Hedgehog comes running down the aisle, And I don't have to tell you what he did sing. Oh, you know all the words, and you sung all the notes, But you never quite learned the song, she sang. I can tell by the sadness in your eyes, That you never quite learned the song. I'm not the kind to complain That I never had a girl to love; Many fine girls I've tried hard to know, But I think I never tried enough. But now I'll be looking all my days, And it isn't just me I got to please, There's this funny little Hedgehog Who's always around, And the only words he ever sings to me are these. Oh, you know all the words and you sung all the notes, But you never quite learned the song, she sang. I can tell by the sadness in your eyes, That you never quite learned the song.
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| First girl I loved by Robin Williamson First girl I loved, Time has come I will sing you this sad goodbye song, When I was seventeen, I used to know you. Well, I haven't seen you, now, since many is the short year, And the last time I seen you, you said you'd joined the Church of Jesus. But me, I remember your long red hair falling in our faces As I kissed you. Well, I want you to know, we just had to grow; I want you to know, I just had to go. And you're probably married now, house and car and all, And you turned into a grownup, female, stranger. And if I was lying near you now, I probably wouldn't be here at all. Well, we parted so hard; Me, rushing round Britain with a guitar, Making love to people That I didn't even like to see. Well, I would think of you. Yes, I mean in the six sad morning. And in the lonely midnight, Try to hold your face before me. Well, I want you to know, I just had to go; I want you to know, we just had to grow. And you're probably married now, kids and all, And you turned into a grownup, female, stranger. And if I was lying near you now, I'd just have to fall. Well, I never slept with you Though we must have made love a thousand times. For we were just young, didn't have no place to go, But in the wide hills and beside many a long water You have gathered flowers, and they do not smell for me. Well, I want you to know, I just had to go. I want you to know, we just had to grow. So it's goodbye first love, and I hope you're fine. Well, I have a sweet woman Maybe some day to have babies by me, she's pretty, Is a true friend of mine |
You know what you could
be by Mike Heron Read your book and lose yourself In another's thoughts. He might tell you 'bout what is Or even 'bout what is not. And if he's kind and gentle too, And he loves the world a lot, His twilight words may melt the slush Of what you have been taught. You know what you could be. Tell me my friend, Why you worry all the time What you should been. Listen to the song of life. Its rainbow's end won't hold you. Its crimson shapes and purple sounds, Softly will enfold you. It gurgles through the timeless glade, In quartertones of lightning. No policy is up for sale, In case the truth be frightening. You know what you could be. Tell me my friend, Why you worry all the time What you should be. |
| My name is Death by Robin Williamson I am the question that cannot be answered, I am the lover that cannot be lost, Yet small are the gifts of my servant the soldier, For time is my offspring, pray, what is my name? My name is Death, cannot you see? All life must turn to me; Oh cannot you see? And you must come with me, You must come with me. I'll give you gold and jewels rare, And all my wealth in store. All pleasures fair, if I may live but a few short years more. Oh lady, lay your jewels aside, No more to glory in your pride. Tarrying here there is no way, Your time has come that you must away, And you must come to clay. |
Gently tender by Mike Heron Gently tender falls the rain, washing clean the slate again; But leave me please, behind my brain, this light doesn't shadow on her Shadows dancing through the pink milk blankets, where my mind Lay dreaming gently of my loving you. Sometimes I think I was true, but then I loved the stone beneath my feet as much, usually. Gently tender snow-drop grows, see the past tense quietly go. Kill the chord but let me know this light doesn't shadow on her. Shadows crawling through the green bush trees where my toes crept Breathing lightly of my loving you. Sometimes I think I was true, but then I loved the stone beneath my feet as much, usually. Slowly spitting crawls the snake, see the branches bend and break. Venom that might easily shake this light doesn't shadow on her. Good, good loving, she gave me good loving, good, good, loving, she gave me good loving, Good, good loving, she gave me good. And now all my wine is water, to her all my wine is water, All water, and my pearls are clear. And now all my wine is water, to her all my wine is water. All water, and my pearls are clear. She gave to me good loving, she gave to me good loving, Oohhhhhhh good loving.
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| Way back
in the 1960s by Robin Williamson I was a young man back in the 1960s. Yes, you made your own amusements then, For going to the pictures; Well, the travel was hard, and I mean We still used the wheel. But you could sit down at your table And eat a real food meal. But hey, you young people, well I just do not know, And I can't even understand you When you try to talk slow. There was one fellow singing in those days, And he was quite good, and I mean to say that His name was Bob Dylan, and I used to do gigs too Before I made my first million. That was way, way back before, before wild World War Three, When England went missing, And we moved to Paraguayee. But hey, you young people, I just do not know, And I can't even understand you When you try to talk slow. Well, I got a secret, and don't give us away. I got some real food tins for my 91st birthday, And your grandmother bought them Way down in the new antique food store, And for beans and for bacon, I will open up my door. But hey, you young people, well I just do not know, And I can't even understand you When you try to talk slow. Well, I was a young man back in the 1960s. |
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Alcuni testi in italiano di “The 5000 spirits or the layers of the onion” (I 5000 spiriti o gli strati della cipolla), tratti da “Late for the sky”, Marzo 1998
| Chinese white
(Bianco cinese)
Quel ramo piegato nell’oscurità Quei petali nel fresco mattino Quegli uccelli che cantano Allo spuntar dell’alba Tuffiamoci in quella nuvola Color crema lassù Non riesco a restare in carreggiata Mi par di morire, mi lascerò andare Farò in modo che le mie braccia Possano afferrare l’arcobaleno in cielo Comincerò a sognare Chissà se il tuo magico albero di Natale Splenderà tutt’intorno. Attraversare questi paesaggi Accorgersi che il sole può scaldarmi le spalle Ogni passo che compio Mi accorgo di far sempre più fatica I miei sogni sembrano realizzarsi Non riesco a tenere gli occhi aperti Mi sento così strano e stanco |
No sleep blues (Blues senza sonno) Esplosioni che rimbombano sulle finestre Grida di gente impaurita Pioggia a catinelle che lentamente consuma Le tegole del tetto E tu beatamente resti in letto a russare? E’ un tempo così inclemente Di notte vedo un topo gironzolare allegramente L’alba che pian piano si insinua tra le mura Mi sento così triste Mi spiace averti svegliata Ma non riuscivo a dormire per la malinconia In questa casa c’è disperazione Le mucche ammalate sembrano impazzite Il cielo così scuro Minaccia piogge abbondanti. Prima o poi appenderò quel quadro In un angolo della stanza Ne farò un altro che getterò In quel vecchio secchio arrugginito Io e te ci ritroveremo a ridere di tutto questo Mi spiace averti svegliata Ma non riuscivo a dormire per la malinconia. Il peso di questa situazione mi opprime Ho il cuore così affranto Mi sembra di sentire in continuazione Persone che urlano e le orecchie mi dolgono. Ho raccolto a mucchi sassi e pietre nell’acqua Volevo vedere che cosa ne veniva fuori L’acqua ha assunto il colore della roccia Ho afferrato le pietre bagnate e scivolose E ho fatto lo stesso con l’acqua e i miei piedi L’acqua si è intorbidita I piedi sono diventati bianchi e puliti Mi spiace di averti svegliata Ma questo era il mio sogno |
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Painting box (Scatola di pastelli) Quando la luce dei tuoi occhi Fa capolino fra le ombre della notte Lasciando una tenue traccia fra le ciglia assonnate Io bisbiglio con la pioggia che batte alle finestre Sarebbe bello uscire Se solo il tempo fosse più clemente. Da qualche parte, in un angolo della mia mente, E’ nascosta la mia scatola di pastelli dove ritrovare ogni colore ed è come se all’istante si materializzasse l’incarnato del tuo viso. Le mie sere trascorse nella noia A vagare senza meta fra i quartieri Sono solo un ricordo lontano, ora tutto è diverso. I miei occhi si rispecchiano Nella primavera appena giunta Placidamente sdraiato, gli asfodeli tra le dita Sorrido al pensiero dei suoi capricci. Da qualche parte, in un angolo della mia mente, E’ nascosta la mia scatola di pastelli Vi troverò tutti i colori e dipingerò il tuo volto. Navi in lontananza, quest’estate così calda Io in acqua e con me i pesci Che mi osservano curiosi senza timore Sorrido e muovo la testa Vorrei spiegare loro Che la mia nave sta affondando Ma che non m’importa se nessuno Accorrerà in mio aiuto |
The mad hatter’s song (La canzone del cappellaio matto) O cacciatori, mi domando come possiate Non sentirvi sazi Questo continuo alternarsi delle stagioni Tutto è così mutevole Mani amorose che vi abbandonano Alla ricerca della realtà. Fate ciò che vi piace e che potete Vivete il più intensamente possibile, miei cari amici Sappiate che non troverete sempre una mano amica Pronta ad aiutarvi. Un albero che ondeggia al vento forte Mani capaci di lenire tutte le ferite Venti caldi del Sud Per fiori appassiti che germogliano di nuovo. Se tu dovessi piangere Potresti riempire di lacrime un lago intero Vorresti tornare indietro nel tempo A quando lasciasti la città Triste, triste da morire Come altre persone che ho conosciuto Chi ha sbagliato, chi ha fallito Prima o poi dovrai risollevarti Anime perdute in quella fabbrica abbandonata Vite sospese, sogni infranti, delusioni Occhi che hanno conosciuto solo il dolore. Io sono l’arciere, la mia freccia è potente I miei occhi che bruciano L’orizzonte talmente lontano Acque oscure, noi figli della notte Balliamo senza ritmo, la luce che ci acceca Aggrappati al cuore del vecchio pescatore Riavrò la vista per osservare Queste splendide spiagge a me molto care |
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The hangman's beautiful daughter, 1968
Koeeoaddi there
The minotaur's song
Witches hat
A very cellular song
Mercy I cry city
Waltz of the new Moon
The water song
Three is a green crown
Swift as the wind
Nightfall
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Koeeoaddi there
By Robin Williamson the natural cards revolve ever changing seeded elsewhere planted in the garden fair grow trees, grow trees tongues of the sheer wind setting you foot where the sand is untrodden, the ocean that only begins listen a woman with a bulldozer built this house now carving away the mountain whose name is your childhood home we were trying to buy it buy it buy it someone was found killed there all bones bones dry bones earth water fire and air met together in a garden fair put in a basket bound with skin if you answer this riddle you'll never begin born in a house where the doors shut tight shadowy fingers on the curtains at night cherry tree blossom head high snow a busy main road where I wasn't to go I used to sit on the garden wall say hello to people going by so tall hallo to the postman's stubbly skin hallo to the baker's stubbly grin mrs Thompson gave me a bear Brigitte and some people lived upstairs skating on happy valley pond various ministers and guards stood around the ice was nice hallo the invisible brethren and there was a tent you played cards with the soldiers in, don't worry we won't send anyone after you they screamed but me and Licorice saw the last of them one misty twisty day across the mournful morning moor motoring away singing ladybird, ladybird what is your wish your wish is not granted unless it's a fish your wish is not granted unless it's a dish a fish on a dish is that what you wish earth water fire and air met together in a garden fair put in a basket bound with skin if you answer this riddle you'll never begin |
The Minotaur's song
By Robin Williamson Straight from the shoulder I think like a soldier I know what's right and what's wrong He knows what's right and what's wrong. I'm the original discriminating buffalo man And I'll do what's wrong as long as I can He'll do what's wrong as long as he can I live in a labyrinth under the sea Down in the dark as dark as can be I like the dark as dark as can be He likes the dark as dark as can be I'll even attack you or eat you whole Down in the dark my bone mills roll Porridge for my porridge bowl Porridge for his porridge bowl I'm strong as the earth from which I'm born He's strong as the earth from which he's born I can't dream well because of my horns He can't dream well because of his horns Moo I'm strong as the earth from which I'm born He's strong as the earth from which he's born I can't dream well because of my horns He can't dream well because of his horns A minotaur gets very sore His features they are such a bore His habits are predicta-bull Aggressively relia-bull, bull, bull I'm strong as the earth from which I'm born He's strong as the earth from which he's born I can't dream well because of my horns He can't dream well because of his horns I'm the original discriminating buffalo man And I'll do what's wrong as long as I can He'll do what's wrong as long as he can |
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Witches hat By Robin Williamson certainly the children have seen them in quiet places where the moss grows green coloured shells jangle together the wind is cold the year is old the trees whisper together and bent in the wind they lean next week a monkey is coming to stay if I was a witches hat sitting on her head like a paraffin stove I'd fly away and be a bat across the air I would rove stepping like a tightrope walker putting one foot after another wearing black cherries for rings
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A very cellular song By Mike Heron Winter was cold and the clothing was thin But the gentle shepherd calls the tune Oh dear mother what shall I do First please your eyes and then your ears Jenny Exchanging love tokens say goodnight Lay down my dear sister Won't you lay and take your rest Won't you lay your head upon your saviours breast And I love you but Jesus loves you the best And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight, And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight. One of these mornings bright and early and fine. Goodnight, goodnight Not a cricket not a spirit going to shout me on Goodnight, goodnight I go walking in the valley of the shadow of death Goodnight, goodnight And his rod and his staff shall comfort me Goodnight, goodnight Oh John the wine he saw the sign Goodnight, goodnight Oh John say I seen a number of signs Goodnight, goodnight Tell A for the ark that wonderful boat Goodnight, goodnight You know they built it on the land getting water to float Goodnight, goodnight Tell B for the beast at the ending of the wood Goodnight, goodnight You know it ate all the children when they wouldn't be good Goodnight, goodnight I remember quite well, I remember quite well Goodnight, goodnight I was walking in Jerusalem just like John Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight. Who would lose and who would bruise Or who would live quite prettily? And who would love what comes along And fill the air with joyous song Who would go and who would come Or who would simply linger And who would hide behind your chair And steal your crystallised ginger Nebulous nearness cry to me At this timeless moment Someone dear to me wants me near, makes me high I can hear vibrations fly Through mangoes, pomegranates and planes All the same When it reaches me and teaches me To sigh Who would mouse and who would lion Or who would be the tamer And who would hear directions clear From the unameable namer Who would skip and who would plod Or who would like quite silly And who would ride backwards on a giraffe Stopping every so often to laugh Amoebas are very small Oh ah ee oo there's absolutely no strife living the timeless life I don't need a wife living the timeless life If I need a friend I just give a wriggle Split right down the middle And when I look there's two of me Both as handsome as can be Oh here we go slithering, here we go slithering and squelching on Oh here we go slithering, here we go slithering and squelching on Oh ah ee oo there's absolutely no strife living the timeless life Black hair brown hair feather and scale Seed and stamen and all unnamed lives that live Turn your quivering nerves in my direction Turn your quivering nerves in my direction Feel the energy projection of my cells Wishes you well. May the long time sun shine upon you All love surround you And the pure light within you Guide you all the way on.
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| Mercy I cry city By Mike Heron Since you got me here I see you're trying to steal my soul You're army's trying so very hard to find for me a goal But where's your quiet pastures where there's time for me to be Nothing else but what I am that's what you seem scared to see You cover up your emptiness with brick and noise and rush Oh I can see and touch you but you don't owe reality much Have mercy I cry city you're all upon my mind Sometimes I think you keep forgetting that you don't know me Mercy I cry city you're all upon my mind Send another carriage chugging down your chokey tube I hope it makes you happy 'cause it don't do my health much good You slowly killing fumes now squeeze the lemon in my head Make me know just what it's like for a sin drenched christian to be dead Ah show me your glitter and your flashing neon light You see I think that only the sun knows how to be quietly bright Have mercy I cry city you're all upon my mind Sometimes I think you keep forgetting that you don't know me Mercy I cry city you're all upon my mind Hey, city, what you been doing? All these years what you been doing? Who would believe that what you been doing Would make such a ruin of you? |
Waltz of the new
Moon By Robin Willamson I hear that the emperor of china used to wear iron shoes with ease We are the tablecloth and also the table also the fable of the dancing leaves The new moon is rising the axe of the thunder is broken as never was not since the flood nor yet since the world began The new moon is shining the angels are washing their windows Above the years whose jumble sale goes spinning on below Ask the snail beneath the stone, ask the stone beneath the wall Are there any stars at all Like an eagle in the sky tell me if air is strong In the floating pan pipe victories of the golden harvest Safe in the care of the dear moon The new moon is rising the eyelid of god is approaching The humane train the skating raining travelling voice of certainty The new moon is shining the harmonious hand is now holding lord krishna's ring the eagle's wing the voice of mother everything Ask the snail beneath the stone, ask the stone beneath the wall Are there any stars at all Like an eagle in the sky tell me if air is strong In the floating palaces of the spinning castle May the fire king's daughter bring water to you |
| The
water
song By Robin Williamson Water water see the water flow Glancing dancing see the water flow O wizard of changes water water water Dark or silvery mother of life Water water holy mystery heavens daughter God made a song when the world was new Waters laughter sings it is true O, wizard of changes, teach me the lesson of flowing |
Three is a green crown By Robin Williamson Not with the lips of skin nor yet with the lips of dark snow But let the white dove sing Of the body of life of the lover whose love is complete Hold hands out to greet ah let not the swan be brought low For all that is moving is moved by her hands She is mirrored for ever in the life of the lands In the building of thoughts in the shifting sands Life life remembering Well here you are now o now you are here Well how has it been so far The hair and the fur Lemons, frankinscence, and myrhh For all that is moving is moved by her hands She is mirrored for ever in the life of the lands In the building of thoughts in the shifting sands Let the cracked crystal raindrop be merged in the sea Silent shining thoughtless free but close your eyes to find the golden flower And open them to see the sunshine shower Where the flowers are free and the fishes ask Ah what can water be She beareth thought she beareth visions Speaking truth in contradictions Dreams of pain dreams of laughter And every action follows after O second self o gate of the soft mystery I'll love you if you'll love me; o guide me With the gold of gabriel's wing grant me the tongue That all the earth does sing Vibrating light forever one the sun The book of life is open to us There'll be no secrets left between us |
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Swift as the wind By Mike Heron For my delight Swift as the wind flies His chariot and wings Shine in the light of a thousand suns For he comes from the land of no night He comes from the land of no night There is no land The night is all around my child You must stop imagining all this You must stop imagining all this For your own good Why don't you go with the rest and play downstairs Closing my eyes I see him so clear The blood on his sword Flashes so bright as is Falls to the skulls by his feet But his eyes they know all things His eyes they know all There is no blood No-one knows all my child You must stop imagining all this You must stop imagining all this For your own good Why don't you go with the rest and play downstairs Swift as the wind Stay if you will now Seeing you again will be in your castle so fair But I make take some time on the way And I may have to spend some time downstairs |
Nightfall By Robin Williamson Nightfall o river of night flow through me Washing thoughts of the day on your waters away For the morrow that dawns never knew me Nightfall nightfall folding her dark locks around you Her eyes they have found you would show you This new dream they're holding O sleep o come to me you who are night's daughter And I'll give you my eyes for the colours that rise As time's echoes reflect on you water. |
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Wee tam, 1968
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Job's Tears
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Puppies
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| Beyond the sea (testo non ancora trovato, nei vari siti di testi di canzoni questo testo manca sempre- maggio 2010 dc) |
The Yellow
Snake |
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Log cabin
home in the sky
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You get
brighter |
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The
half-remarkable question |
Air |
| Ducks on a pond
By Robin Williamson Robin: Guitar, piano, kazoo, bass drum Mike: Percussion, harmonica Ducks on a pond, ducks on a pond Very pretty swimming round The lion and the unicorn journey very far The answers are the question, sir The lady soothes the lion's fur Meek as a lamb he follows her Wherever angels are Sing me something I asked the ice it would not say But only cracked or moved away I thought I knew me yesterday Whoever sings this song Greetings on you kings in the sky Who'll buy me a mynah bird Play me a magic word Speak of hopes with thoughts absurd Thoughts floating by Little ducks, pretty birds Clouds across the sky Moving pieces on the plains of Troy Carving faces on the rocks of joy Pretty lady washing the tiles Soapy pictures like crocodiles Chilly winds blowing Lovely spring coming soon I wear my body like a caravan Gipsy rover in a magic land Misty mountains where the eagles fly Lonely valleys where the lost ones cry I had a little letter full of paper Inky scratches everywhere Always looking, looking for a paradise island Help me find it everywhere Peacocks talking of the colour grey Awaking soundly in darkest day A howling tempest on a silent sea Lovely Jesus nailed to a tree Mad as the moon when Merlin falls Silver castles and silver halls Taking lessons from the piper's son Learn to play while the world is young Boys and girls come out to play The moon doth shine as bright as day Leave your sorrows and leave your sleep And join your playfellows in the street Come with a whoop or come with a call Come with a goodwill or not at all Up the ladder and down the wall A ha'penny loaf will serve for all Following my fortune now the Holy Grail is found And the Holy Bread of Heaven it is given all around Farewell sorrow, praise God the open door I ain't got no home in this world any more Poor as the birds but to give their song away Gathering possessions round to make a bright array Dark was the night, praise God the open door I ain't got no home in this world anymore. |
Malcolm LeMaistre
Nothing strange, 1994
In 1968
Men and boys
Nothing strange
Joie de vivre
Headlines
Dancing
Big boss
Love let me down
Sarajevo
Liner
Panama
This is life
In 1968 By Malcolm LeMaistre I woke one morning and the sky
was black we travelIed East. we
travelled South. we tried to travel West no more lies on a Saturday
night free love was just a game but
true love was never free no more lies on a Saturday
night Jimi's hands were hands of
dreams he gave us life absurd no more lies on a Saturday
night |
Men and boys By Malcolm LeMaistre You worked the coal and
the steels white heat you stand alone on some ruined
ground oh men and boys you took that
chance you felt the fire and fought
the fight oh men and boys you took that
chance as you gaze across an empty
land kids are sleeping, curtains
are drawn oh men and boys you took that
chance oh men and boys you took that
chance |
Sarajevo By Malcolm LeMaistre For forty four years I've
lived with peace as a way of life turning on the TV we see other
peoples lives will the winter bring an end yesterday they shook their
neighbours hand will the winter bring an end news is coming in that peace has broken out in Sarajevo can this ever be? |
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