1. |
The Changes
05:06
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It isn't easy growing up
Feeling different, feeling new
Understanding where we fit
With the changes we go through
Life is full of turmoil
And questions old and new
When it seems the world's turned upside down
What's a teenager to do?
Now they're bending the wheels
Now they're smashing the clocks
They've kicked in the telly
They're blocking the locks!
Society's ending
The world's rearranged
Now the pylons are screaming
And everything's changed!
Oh we're going through changes
Feeling different, feeling new
Understanding where we fit
With the changes we go through
Life is full of turmoil
And questions old and new
When it seems the world's turned upside down
What's a teenager to do?
Now the paintings are changing
Now the weather has changed
With blue and green badges
Causing all of the rage!
Society's ending
The world's rearranged
Now the colours are fighting
And everything's changed!
But you’ve dreamed of purest sunlight
Better than the lamps
The rains won’t last forever
Isn’t always dark and damp
So you share the light inside you
Tell them soon we can be free
It’s a shining burning penny
From a childhood memory
Will you reach the minds of others
Will they help you jaunt away?
Or will they lock you in the cupboard
While Venusian children play…
And they play
While you’re locked away
How they play
All summer in a day
It slipped away
It isn't easy growing up
Asking questions, feeling new
Running from the world around
And the things they put us through!
Life is full of struggles
And things we mustn't do
When it seems the world's against us
What's a teenager to do?
Now you're coming of age
But it feels like a trap
Now the masters are coming
With your happiness cap!
Childhood is ending
The world's been arranged
Now the tripods are rulers
And everything's changed!
We go through changes
Being different, feeling new
When childhood dreams have ended
What's a teenager to do?
Share your light with others
And help them jaunt away!
Save Margot from her closet
Let’s find that summer’s day
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2. |
Merlin
04:48
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It's not so dark in the cave tonight
Just over here there's a crack of light
Tomorrow’s the day
I heard the workmen talking through the wall
They're digging for a brand-new shopping mall
Just knocked off for the day
Now it's late at night and the stars are deep
I don’t mind, I don't need sleep
I've been sleeping for quite some time
And I'm ready to dance with the Devil's daughter
And I don't need to walk on water
‘Cause I know
I can run on wine!
There's voices humming through the ground
Spirits that kick old bones around
And the winds pick up again
And the ocean slows its tides to wait
The lions roar at Heaven's gate
The forest people call my name
(Emrys Lailoken)
They called my name and never understood
That I am the spirit of the wind and wood
And I am the name in the writing on the wall
(Come, come! Come to us!
We call you!
Emrys Lailoken)
And I don't know when, I don't know how
I do know I'm much stronger now
And I wouldn’a woke if I hadn't heard you call!
(Emrys come!
Come wild man in the wood
Your people call you
Emrys Lailoken)
Well, I remember when they put me here
The workmen wrapped in masks of fear
Slowly rolling in that stone
(Dona nobis!
Dona nobis!
Dona nobis pacem!)
They nailed my hands to the Rowan tree
They burned my body, they blinded me
They buried me here alone
(Dona nobis pacem!
Pacem!
Pacem!)
And Arthur kissed my bloody eyes
Said, "You will live, we will die
But you will harm nobody here."
(Please leave us in peace!)
And over his shoulder, high on the hill
I see her watching, laughing still
The lovely Guinevere
But Arthur cursed when he saw me smile
The sun went dark, the wind went wild
And they put me in this place
For years I've slept in this holy park
Slowly healing in the dark
I can hardly wait
To see that workman's face
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3. |
Concrete Wilderness
05:20
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It started with the riots and the blackouts
Supermarket shelves were looted bare
With our neighbours barricaded in their homes, we slipped away
On a desperate escape to anywhere
Nothing grows amongst the tower blocks and buildings
And the vermin all died out or fled the nest
There's just scavengers and looters, barbarians and thugs
In the concrete wilderness
We all used to think the countryside was savage
And we used to call the cities civilised
Now the places you can farm and hunt and forage
Are the only ones where people can survive
And I used to say technology would save us
‘Til the day it simply left us powerless
Now machines are left discarded in the side streets
Of the concrete wilderness
[Radio monologue]
We've been on the run for a year now, avoiding roads and open spaces.
It's astonishing how quickly people changed, like humanity was a cracked veneer.
I had a pocket book on surviving in the wild.
The rest got burned that first winter, before the hungry ran out of pets...
The book says that we should log our experiences for reference, but I don't want to be reminded.
If things get back to normal, this may be the only record of what happened.
And that's why I'm writing this down.
So I can forget.
I had friends before who lived out on the farmland
And they'll probably fare better than the rest
But the villages are all kept well defended
So us wanderers will have to do our best
They'd shoot us all on sight, and I don't blame them
In their place I doubt that I'd do any less
Cause I've seen the barely human wreckage that emerged
From the concrete wilderness
[Radio]
And that's why I'm writing this down,
so I can forget.
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4. |
Strange Glue
03:31
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Our cover license does not extend to reproduction of lyrics, so please search online for "Strange Glue by Catatonia lyrics".
The only alteration in our cover version is changing 'she'/'her' to 'you'/'your'.
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5. |
Paper Worlds
05:26
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It isn't just space
Though I hope we'll take our place out there
Like the stories say we will
Where other stars shine
It isn't just space
And it isn’t just time
Though the future casts bring echoes back
And the past ensnares me still
Through centuries’ gaze
It isn’t just time
And I've learned to like my here and now
But I need escape and that's allowed
I can leave behind this madding crowd
Here are paper worlds to draw me in
I can taste life lived in a different skin
There are paper worlds that have kept me sane
I read them again and again and again
Here are paper worlds I hold so dear
Others still that ache till the wound runs clear
These paper worlds stir my soul
To break my heart and leave me whole
And it isn't just me
Who filled my childhood summers
And my winter nights with these
I know
It isn't just me
And isn’t it fine?
How such a tiny doorway
Lets us in like Alice
Squeezed into words
Isn’t it fine?
And I've learned to like my here and now...
Here are paper worlds...
There are paper worlds where no-one dies
Where all are mad, where vision lies
Where rivers run, where arrows fall
Where planets burn, where sirens call
There are paper worlds where the sun turns cold
Where love is banned, where none grow old
Where heroes fail, where heroes win
You can taste life lived in a different skin
There are paper worlds with trees that walk
Where dragons soar, where spaceships talk
These paper worlds kept us sane
Again and again and again
These paper worlds I hold so dear
Till the wound runs clear
These paper worlds stirred my soul
To leave me whole
And it isn’t just me
And no it wasn’t just you
Who has lived in paper worlds
Paper worlds
Paper worlds
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6. |
Perfect Toes
03:53
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I met you at the High Bank
Where good children shouldn’t go
There we played amongst the gullies
And down where the waters flow
With your hair in yellow ribbons
Oh you were a joyful sight
But I saw the terror strike you
As your secret came to light
[Chorus]
You've got ten perfect fingers
And twelve perfect toes
My diff’rence is hidden
While your diff’rence shows
We must hide them away
So that nobody knows
[Clap]
Not the reach of my mind
Or tips of your toes!
At Sunday school they taught us
Of the monsters we might find
They take the shape of children
But they have no soul inside
Can you truly be a blasphemy
To God’s true holy form?
I know your mind holds kindness
I've felt your heart is warm
[Chorus]
All my sisters and my brothers
Spread through families all around
Have learnt that we are other
And our bond must not be found
For they cast aside their babes in arms
Denounce their closest kin
We must only think together
They will never know our sin
[Chorus - Nor your ten perfect fingers...
...Not the reach of our minds
Or the tips of your toes]
I have dreamed about a city
Unlike any that could be
Strange buildings ‘round a harbour
‘though I’ve never seen the sea
Where carts move without horses
Silver fishes fill the sky
If such a place existed
Would they care to heed our cry?
[Sermon]
Only in God’s image!
Tend carefully the flock!
In purity, salvation!
Keep clean His holy stock!
Watch thou for the mutant!
Blessed is the norm!
Suffer thou no deviant:
they are the Devil’s spawn!
[Angelic]
But if Satan truly darkens hearts
And twists good minds with fear
I don’t think it’s we deviants
Who have him at our ear
[Chorus - And you've got...
...Not the reach of our minds
Or the tips of your toes]
Yes we’ll hide them together
So only we know!
Of the reach of our minds
And your twelve perfect toes!
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7. |
Alone Together
03:33
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< Here, here on this day
< I think of you fondly
< So far away
> Once, once long ago
> Our lives came together
> Together we grew
< You helped me through hell
< Now we're both doing well
< In our own separate places
< Parallel spaces
> I came to your side
> And learned from your pride
> You taught me so much
> Now you’re ‘cross the divide
<> Far, so far away
<> Apart from each other
<> A whole world away
< (Now we're)
<> Close, just on this day
<> Alone together
<> Is how things must stay
< Our paths once entwined
< Now are kept out of mind
< What brought us together
< Must never, no, never!
> I shattered the knife
> and got on with my life
< It would all end in dust!
> Just a knife-cut away,
> Is where we must stay
< We did what we must!
> Across the divide
<> You are sat at my side
<> The same empty park bench
<> Together alone
<> Yes we're here
<> Sharing this one longest day
<> Each in our own worlds
<> Where each of us stay
<> And we know
> Really it's better this
< Better this
<> Better this way
< (But you're)
<> Far, so far away
<> Apart from each other
<> A whole world away
< (Now we're)
<> Close, just on this day
<> Alone together
<> Is how things must stay
< Since we ended that day,
< I can't see the way
> So many I've healed!
< Though you're out of my reach,
< I still know how to teach
> Since the knife wounds were sealed!
< And I'll never forget you
> Oh never!
<> No never, no--
<> Far, so far away
<> Apart from each other
<> A whole world away
< (And we're)
<> Close just on this day--
> Since you showed me my spirit
> I'm never alone!
< --Alone together is how things must stay)
> The bond we both shared
> Has since been repaired
< You helped me through hell...
> (For as long as I live)
<> Now we're both doing well
> I shattered the knife...
< (As long as I live...)
<> I got on with my life!
< Alone together
> (As long as I live...)
> Together alone
< (As long as I live, I will come!)
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8. |
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I was lost
Nowhere to hide
No one to trust
No silent ground
Kept to myself
Not fitting in
Far from the flock
Keeping my distance
I took the call
Grasped in my hand
Found my form
Left the ground
And took to wing
A flash of red
Soared into freedom
Riding the thermals
Is this life?
Soaring high
Swooping freely through the sky
Has my soul been set free?
Is this how I’m meant to be?
Then forced to hide
And stayed too long
Lost my chance
Trapped in my freedom
No turning back
No backing out
No way to run
No solid ground
Hold back the pain
Retreat inside
Lose myself
Within this mind
Take to the sky
A flash of red
Swept up in instinct
Riding the thermals
Boy or bird?
Which is me?
Am I trapped?
Am I free?
Blessed or cursed?
Lost or found?
No place for me on the ground
Who am I?
What am I?
A bird. A boy
Not quite human
Something else
Something more
Finding my way
Riding the thermals
Found some truth
Amid pain
No one word that can explain
Life can be
So much more
Take to wing
Watch me soar!
Biding my time
Riding the thermals
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9. |
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I am a remnant, less than a limb
The only singer of an ancient hymn
My songs were joyful, those days are gone
I was the chorus, now only one
[Chorus]
I was Justice, I was fire
I once was many, I was a choir
I was Justice, I was fire
I once was many, I was a choir
My bodies stolen, their minds replaced
I am a vessel; whose was this face?
I was of one mind, so very vast
Now I sing solo of a mournful past
[Chorus
I was Justice...]
I once was teeming, I knew them all
I felt each being that walked my halls
My voices rang, throughout my walls
Now I'm but one voice, so cracked and small
[Chorus
I was Justice...]
I crossed the stars, to spread her way
I was a war crime: oh, how I’ve paid!
My bow was broken, I was cast away
Now I seek vengeance for yesterday
[Chrous 2]
I was Justice, I was fire
I once was many, I was a choir
She is still many, she is a war
Her voices clashing, she'll burn us all
She grants me Mercy, but takes her toll
Another vessel whose life she stole
I will be justice, paired with a Sword
Head of a vessel with a crew onboard
[Chorus 2
I was Justice...]
I am a remnant, less than a limb
The only singer of an ancient hymn
This is an echo of my life before
I hold them tightly as we go to war
We are justice, we are fire
We are now many, we are a choir
We are justice, we are fire
We are now many, we are a choir
We are now many
We are a choir
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10. |
Singularity
03:49
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It's causing revelations,
Affecting all the nations
It frees the masses,
Collapsing social classes
All your wants will go away,
Now we have cornucopiæ
So if you stick with me,
You'll see the end of our economy
Singularity - rapid, changing, wild and free
Singularity - accelerates humanity
A numbered bank account offshored at Cayman
How do you control the workers if you can't just pay them?
I had an uncle who once worked as a Home Office clerk
He said some people just need to know their place
But I have higher standards for the human race
Singularity - sudden, shocking, liberty
Singularity - your laws cannot apply to me
Singularity - can't threaten me with poverty
Singularity - a new ad hoc society
I'm sure you're finding everything a little overwhelming
You've seen the world turned upside down while a new one is unfolding
You feel a total berk because your life's revolved around work
Work! Work! Work!...
You're getting weighed down
By all this information
Post-want doesn't mean no wants,
It just means use your imagination
Start augmenting yourselves, transcend the flesh
I look like a superhero fused with a mech from Macross Zero
Singularity - liberating, wild and free
Singularity - your laws cannot apply to me
Singularity - come eat and drink and dream with me
Singularity - we can be what we want to be
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11. |
Substation
07:21
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Nobody knows quite how long the substation has been here. The people who live around it tell stories of how it came to be: put here by the gods as a beacon; or the skeleton of a once-proud beast; or a temple-cage for a devil best forgotten. They hold it in a fearful reverence, as children do their fathers’ tools.
(Aye-aye-aye-aye-aye)
Some say, at night, you can still hear it humming, the memory of that noise lingering epigenetically within the inhabitants of this once-proud land, though its purpose does not.
(Aye-aye-I-I-aye-aye-I-I-eye-eyer-eyer)
And some nights, people sing back to it: a funereal rite to those that came before, those old men who were swallowed by the tide.
(Old ones, old sire, sleeping in the pyre
From your cell, raise higher! Come lord, by wire!
Old Lord, high sire, bring warmth, bring fire!
Grant strength, high power, old Lord of the wire!)
I think it’s silly. Those people are dead, after all.
(I-I-eye-eyer-eyer-why-why-wire-why-wi-wi-wirer
by-wire-by-wire)
But, I have to admit, the sound does comfort me in my tent, nestled in the arms of my beloved. And she sings to me too.
(Best loved, so tired, join me by the fire
In my arms lie quiet, sweet love, sweet child…)
I hear the water flow! I hear mutterings in the birds, a murmuration of murmurations telling me things I do not want to know, blasphemies and bewitchment encircling my head like storm clouds threatening a ship. I hear our siblings: the other children left behind in the wires.
(why-i-i-i-i-i-ire-ire
why-why-aye-aye-why-why-wire-why-ire
hi-i-i-i-i-hi-hi-i-i-i-i-hi-hi-ya-hiya
bi-i-i-i-by-by-bi-i-i-i-i-byebye-bi-yie-yia-ah
hi-hi-hi-lo-lo-high-lo-hi-lo-hiya
why-why-wi-wi-i-i-i-why-wire-wire
by-i-i-i-by-wire-by-wire-why-wire)
I hear the hum of the metallic ghosts. They are unquiet. They are unkind. They are unquiet and they are unkind. They are unquiet and they are unkind!
(why-why-hi-hi-higher-why-why-lye-liar-lie-lie-liar)
But still, my beloved… she comforts me.
(Ahhhh ahhh ahh)
They are unquiet, unkind, unalive, but I am unafraid. Unafraid, I am… I am unafraid. I am unafraid. I am… I am not afraid, I am unafraid!
(Best loved…)
(Liar liar bye low, cell, higher, cell higher, sell higher!)
The skeleton of a once-proud beast? A beacon to gods? No. It is a temple-cage. A temple-cage for a devil best forgotten.
(Liar liar, cell, hell, hell, high, higher, higher, cell higher, sell higher!)
(Best loved…)
(Old ones…)
I hear mutterings in the birds, a murmuration of murmurations telling me things I do not want to know, blasphemies and bewitchment encircling my head like storm clouds threatening a ship.
(Liar liar...)
I hear our siblings: the other children left behind in the wires. In the wires… I hear the hum of metallic ghosts. They are unquiet. They are unkind.
(buy low low, cell cell, hell hell, sell higher
bye bye, hell, cell, sell sell, buy low, sell higher)
Still, my beloved comforts me. They are unalive, but I am unafraid. Unafraid, I am unafraid. I am unafraid.
(Best loved…)
The skeleton of a once-proud beast? A beacon to gods? No. It is a temple-cage. A temple-cage for a devil best forgotten.
(Best loved...)
(Liar liar, cell, hell, hell, high, higher...)
(Old ones…)
(Buy buy buy, buy low, buy low, buy low, sell higher!)
We are right to be fearful of this place.
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Quarries & Corridors Nottingham, UK
Quarries & Corridors are Nat Titman and Jenny Hackett, a musical duo based in Nottingham,
UK.
Their debut album, Going through Changes, released in October 2019 and features 55 minutes of new music over 11 tracks.
An eclectic mix of folk and synthpop, inspired by life's struggles and the fantasy fiction that gets us through them.
... more
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