LADY WITH A FAN

 

Let my inspiration flow

in token lines suggesting rhythm

that will not forsake me

till my tale is told and done

  

While the firelight's aglow

strange shadows in the flames will grow

till things we've never seen

will seem familiar

  

Shadows of a sailor forming

winds both foul and fair all swarm

down in Carlisle he loved a lady

many years ago

  

Here beside him stands a man

a soldier by the looks of him

who came through many fights

but lost at love

 

While the storyteller speaks

a door within the fire creaks

suddenly flies open

and a girl is standing there

  

Eyes alight with glowing hair

all that fancy paints as fair

she takes her fan and throws it

in the lion's den

  

"Which of you to gain me, tell

will risk uncertain pains of Hell?

I will not forgive you

if you will not take the chance"

  

The sailor gave at least a try

the soldier being much too wise

strategy was his strength

and not disaster

  

The sailor coming out again

the lady fairly lept at him

that's how it stands today

you decide if he was wise

  

The storyteller makes no choice

soon you will not hear his voice

his job is to shed light

and not to master

  

Since the end is never told

we pay the teller off in gold

in hopes he will come back

but he cannot be bought or sold

      

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Words and music by Robert Hunter

Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission.

  

Annie layed her head down in the roses

She had ribbons, ribbons, ribbons

in her long brown hair

I don't know, it must have been the roses

All I know is I could not leave her there

  

I don't know, it must have been the roses

The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair

I don't know maybe it was the roses

All I know was I could not leave her there

  

Ten years the waves rolled the

ships home from the sea

Thinking well how it may blow

in all good company

if I tell another what

your own lips told to me

may I lay neath the roses

and my eyes no longer see

  

I don't know, it must have been the roses

The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair

I don't know maybe it was the roses

All I know was I could not leave her there

  

One pane of glass in the window

No one is complaining though,

come in and shut the door

Faded is the crimson from the

ribbons that she wore

and it's strange how no one

comes round anymore

  

I don't know, it must have been the roses

The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair

I don't know maybe it was the roses

All I know was I could not leave her there

  

Annie layed her head down in the roses

She had ribbons, ribbons, ribbons

in her long brown hair

I don't know, it must have been the roses

All I know was I could not leave her there

  

I don't know, it must have been the roses

The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair

I don't know maybe it was the roses

All I know was I could not leave her there

 

***************************************************************

   

WOOL

 

The flock gathers

and turns into the air

Heaven's breath beneath the beating wings

Turns the hearts of lovers to fire

And those of stone to dust

 

How the fire will bring the rain

How the dry cloud cannot cross the sands alone

And do not be lost

Do not be lost

 

A child is led

A child is fed

A child is held when crying

So now see that it's not me who's adorned by truth

But that I am just one turn of the thread

In the garment of truth

Shining tremendous

And when that fabric is finally folded

I too shall be hidden

Forevermore

 

Look closely here

See a shining spark

On your hands and knees

Face pressed against the sand

Stand again to see that spark

Disappear

 

You may follow a seperate stream

Know that it leads to the ocean

And never mistake that stream for the sea

  

Peace and Love

G.Slater 1989