Fables And Fantasies

FABLES AND FANTASIES (1979)

versioni in inglese di Peter Sinfield

DUST AND ASHES

I am dust and ashes

my crown is worm and white bone

there's no man suckled milk

though he run I will not call him

his chains will seem as feathers

when I silently lock mine

his iron gate like cobweb come his moment.

I am dust and ashes

my jewels maggots crawling

there's no man woman loved

will not surrender when I beckon

sand is running my blade shining

bend your heads why stand your welcome

the steps are worn my ferryman awaits you.

Oh sir you do us honour

attending on our humble dwelling

lay down your glass and blade

and take a few turns with us

we beg you dance a few steps

a rondeau of remembrance

forget a while the flesh you should have taken...

I am dust and ashes

my jewels maggots crawling

there's no man woman loved

will not surrender when I beckon

sand is running my blade shining

bend your heads why stand welcome

the steps are worn my ferryman is still waiting.

IL CILIEGIO

Già ero vecchio e stanco

per prenderla con me,

ma il vecchio giardiniere

rinunciare come può

all'ultimo suo fiore,

se l'inverno viene già.

Già ero vecchio e stanco,

ma la volli per me

e il sorriso della gente

di nascosto accompagnò

il mio andare verso casa

e l'inverno viene già...

Lei era la più bella

che avessi visto mai:

sorrideva fra le ciglia

e il mio cuore riscaldava,

era l'ultimo mio fiore

e l'inverno viene già..,

Poi anche il mio ciliegio

a suo tempo maturò;

lei venne un mattino

a chiedernnene i frutti.

"Devo avere quelle ciliegie

perche presto un figlio avrò".

Io guardavo le sue guance:

più bella era che mai.

e sentivo dentro me

già crescere la rabbia:

"Chiedi al padre di tuo figlio

di raccoglierle per te".

Sorridendo come sempre,

le spalle mi voltò

e la vidi in mezzo ai prato

verso l'albero guardare:

era l'ultimo mio fiore

e l'inverno viene già.

Fu il ramo suo più alto

che il ciliegio chinò

ed il padre di suo figlio

così I'accontentò.

Già ero vecchio e stanco

per prenderla con me,

ma il vecchio giardiniere

rinunciare come può

all'ultimo suo fiore,

se l'inverno viene già.

THE ENCHANTED LAKE

Close by Jacob's fountain

starts the strange tale I will tell

where fair Madelaine met an enchanter

who addressed her in a tongue few men know well

said he all you wish

from this hour is yours for asking

tell me all you desire

for there's no dream I can't fulfill it.

Sir be on your way I've no time for your games

not for you do I wait here but for another

he will come for me and bring me a velvet gown

and we'll go hand in hand to London town.

You're a fool if you think you won't be mine

said the enchanter to fair Madelaine

and yet you are young so I forgive you

if you'd lived my thousand years you'd play.

Once more did he ask

for a wish from her heart

better believe now or spells

I will use to make you mine

you'd make a fine tree that blossomed every springtime

shade me in the summer and be my firewood in winter.

This has gone too far

cried out the young maid

now I see you for a liar

full of your own wind

all this talk of spells

what nonsense a thousand years

when I see your face to be younger yet than mine.

So the enchanter spun him circles three

and turned her with a spell to a calm wide lake

from the top of a tower of ivory

forever he gazes on her face.

So the enchanter spun him circles three

and turned her with a spell to a calm wide lake

from the top of a tower of ivory

forever he loves fair Madelaine's Face.

BY APPOINTMENT

Through the misty realm of morning

came the cry of the raven's warning

come away there is evil around you

there is canker curse and fire

it will take out your eyes for its master

it will cut you and give him your heart sir

now too late it is close it has found you

beware the venomous iron.

Be still I do not fear death

I now welcome the journey

but friend fly to my patron

and pluck his eyes in revenge

go tell him that my last breath

I spent singing an old song

his heart will burn with my heart

in the fires of hell before long.

For the crab will come out of the ocean

to be near to his mouth for the time

he can steal his soul on his dying breath

and hide it away for eternity.

Oh greater the lord more the fool

always the same essential flaw

while his lackeys are picking my bones clean

people dance on to my songs at his back door.

LADY

Lady I love thee

once sang the minstrels

on the greenbanks and meadows

in high-windowed halls

nowadays the styles changed

it's not the done thing

call me old-fashioned

but I'll still sing...

Lady I love thee

and fill your heart gladly

with sweet music and laughter

blue skies and gold rings

moon on the river strange sails in the bay

Lady I'll love thee forever my way.

Lady I love thee

your white knight I would be

who saves you from dragons

who wakes you from spells

long may the world stand

on my welcome mat

its baggage unopened

while I'm sure that

Lady together

from sunrise to sunset

your star's bright in my night

your heart's close to mine

moon on the river strange sails in the bay

Lady I'll love thee no more can I say...

MERRY WE WILL BE

Go light the lantern and hang it on the gate

As a sign that all men are welcome

In this house tonight to spend Christmastide

Among friendly company

Then build the fire to a yuletide blaze

And keep the great spit turning

Send the fiddlers in give us fair young maids

And merry we will be.

We've garlands red and garlands green

And a tree with stars and tinsel

Where an angel blest by Father James

Looks down upon our feast

Here comes the man of God himself

Give him wine and bid him welcome

When his cheeks are red he'll forget his bed

And merry we will be.

There's holly hung from every beam

There's mistletoe and ivy

If I catch you there I will take my share

Of kisses given free

There's gifts for all both tall and small

There's trinkets toys and baubles

So fill your dish with all you wish

And merry we will be.

We've garlands red and garlands green

And a tree with stars and tinsel

For its open house and open hearts

This time of year to all

So if you're passing by and hear

The sounds of joy and laughter

Won't you step inside this Christmastide

And merry we will be.

Go light the lantern and hang it on the gate

As a sign all men are welcome

In this house tonight that is shining bright

With fire light and love

We've garlands red and garlands green

And a tree with stars and tinsel

Good friends come one come all this night

And merry we will be.

THE STOLEN BRIDE

Three long nights and sleep eludes me

wait and watch and listen

but all I hear is the viper sliding

and hissing along the river.

There I wrote this song I sing now

darkly dressed with sorrow

about the bride who left her wedding

slipped out... none saw none followed.

No one saw the extra guest

beguile her to the threshold

with smiles and pretty words

about the beauty of her dress

and persuade her from the Feasting.

So naive she followed him

she thought but for a moment

we waited her return till the candles burnt away

we searched... but none could find her.

A fiddler present at the wedding

was walking out next morning

when the strange guest appeared before him

good day musician said he.

I know you search for one who's missing

vanished from her wedding

if you have a brave heart walk behind me

and I will lead you to her.

A boat as black as fishes bowels

he rode 'cross shrowded waters

until theycame upon the waxen bride

in a dress of gold and silver.

She bade the fiddler take her ring

back safe to her beloved

and said here I remain and suffer not the world

no pain desire or hatred.

The fiddler took the ring and turning

had hardly walked but one step

when he heard her stifled cry "Forgive me"

as the misty waters took her.

Shining bright as summer light

the morning that she married

what unholy place was she taken to that day

and by what cold Lord of darkness.

THE HARE IN THE MOON

Once upon a time when all the world was young

There lived three friends so the legend runs

There was a monkey called eyes and a fox called nose

And a hare called ears so the story goes

Up hill and down dale forever together

Exploring their green world, discussing the weather

And every night when all the stars were shining

Each one held two more close until the morning

You'll never guess what happened next though

Well, wait just a minute and I'll tell you

One summers day up to those three

Came a white haired sage and "Friends" said he

"I will pay with gold for some well cooked meat

I have travelled far and fain would eat"

The fox and the monkey went whispering off together

While the hare went on playing as carefree as ever

And little did suspect what evil they planned

That she would be the meal to feed the old man

You'll never guess what happened next though

Well, wait just a minute and I'll tell you

The fox ran swift and caught the hare

While the monkey built a roasting fire

"But", said the old man, "wait", with a tear in his eye

"This sad betrayal's changed my mind

Come with me hare, leave your two false friends

No more men will trust them

But you you'll have a fine end

When men look up into the moon's right corner

They'll see you running happy ever after

And now they'll know just how you got there"

Once upon a time when all the world was young

There lived three friends so the legend runs

There was a monkey called eyes and a fox called nose

And a hare called ears so the story goes

But two betrayed one so she left to run

High in the sky as the moons right eye

And if you look and she's not running for you

Half close your eyes you'll see her I assure you

Beware the fox beware the monkey

They might just betray you as they did her

MUSTAPHA'S TALE

Mustapha the silver bit and stoked up the fire

Began his tale once in the blue hills so tired

I found a cave to shelter in, the entrance was low

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind knows

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind blows

Suddenly awakened with a black chill of terror

I saw twelve hooded figures in graveyard apparel

Who shuffling towards me where I crouched by the wall

Said Mustapha "You're now of us, we have need of one more"

Yes joining hands they left a place and called for one more

"Thirteen we must be tonight for conjure and scheme"

My limbs gave me to them , I prayed that I dreamed

My hands held fast by other hands the circle was closed

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind knows

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind blows

A pentagram of Caldea was drawn in vermillion

Where five lamps where a flickering to foul incantation

When all at once sulphurous vapours did rise

A cloud, a shape, a form, a face with tapers for eyes

Never was a gargoyle more hideously moulded

Or a voice heard more of snake fit

Which that awful head issued

No greater riches offered for a small sacrifice

A name in blood, a promised soul, the unholy price

It offered me all women both living and dead

Palaces and flowers, a crown for my head

But from somewhere deep inside me came the strength to scream "No"

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind knows

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind blows

Mustapha the silver bit and stokes up the fire

Began his tale once in the blue hills so tired

I found a cave to shelter in and the rest I've disclosed

Fable or fantasy the desert wind blows

If its fable or fantasy the desert wind blows