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Courting My Muse

by Mary Crowell

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1.
Summertime Beagle © 2003 by Mary Crowell. VERSE Layin’ around like a summertime beagle, I don’t wanna move! 'Got my legs stretched out in the sun. Others can buzz about like bees in the clover. I’ll yawn a bit, and maybe I’ll turn over. Nappin’ in a hammock with my man is much more fun. INTERLUDE ‘Gotta go in, but I wanna stay -- Nap here with you on a lazy day. I’m an ol’ hound in the September heat, List’ning to the slow slow sound of your heart beat. VERSE Let’s let sleeping dogs lie in the sunshine together. The air is hot and sultry, but the leaves are fallin’ down. There’s grapes on the vine; the basil is blooming. Honey suckle’s gone, and I am assuming Snowy winter days and nights will soon be comin’ ‘round. INTERLUDE VERSE ‘Sayin’ farewell to the dog days of summer, Rolling up my hammock, and it’s time to say goodbye. You stop and pick up a small yellow flower, Give it to me and say, “Stay another hour.” I stay another three, and boy, time does surely fly. VERSE Layin’ around like a summertime beagle, I don’t wanna move! 'Got my legs stretched out in the sun. Others can buzz about like bees in the clover. I’ll yawn a bit, and maybe I’ll turn over. Nappin’ in a hammock with my man is much more fun. Nappin’ in a hammock with my man is much more fun. Nappin’ in a hammock with my baby is much more fun. Layin’ around like a summertime beagle
2.
Galatea (and Pygmalion) © 2003 by Mary Crowell. VERSE I want your slow hands On my body, want an artist’s touch. I don’t get out that much. My heart’s like stone. VERSE My chisled profile -- It isn’t finished. ‘Wants some smoothing out. I cannot speak or shout, I’m all alone. CHORUS You’ve left me under the sheets again. You’re on your knees in someone’s sacred den. You’ll give her flowers and all of your prayers. Then you’ll come back to me and say that you care. VERSE I’ve lost my marbles. They’re with the pebbles on your littered floor. If you come through that door Then that’s okay. VERSE My arms enfold you, But I can’t hold you very close to me. This pedestal, you see, Keeps you away. CHORUS VERSE Hey Aphrodite -- So fine and mighty, Give me back my man, That fool Pygmalion Make flesh my heart. VERSE His ‘Sleeping Lovely’ -- I’ll look just like you if he’ll finish me Bring me to life to be His work of art, Bring me to life to be His work of art. Bring me to life to be YOUR work of art.
3.
Good Man Go Bad © 2001 by Mary Crowell. INTRODUCTION When you're watching movies, Relaxing with a book, You admire the hero, And you revile the crook. The hero always wins Unless he's interrupted By a little wicked someone Who helps him get corrupted. VERSE It's a fine thing to cheer and applaud them. They're upholding the good way -- be glad! But I find that the view is much better, When I get to see a good man go bad. CHORUS It seems heroes get tempted but rarely do fall. That's nice for the damsel but no fun at all For the women whose jobs are to lead men astray Circe, Delilah, Morgan Le Fey. VERSE Circe tried but got left on her island. "Dear, I miss my wife, my dog, and my lad." Delilah failed when she cut Samson's tresses. He weakened but the good plan went bad. VERSE A tête a tête with Le Fey caused a problem, 'Cause it seems they were related just a tad. Arthur tried to find a final solution, And that's where a really good man went bad. INTERLUDE It's more entertaining To organize a coupe to Overthrow a good man Than a blackguard through and through. Think of the suffering, Justifications. Those who knew him Never knew what he could do. VERSE He'll dress in black and grow wicked with power. He might be angry, or gothic, or sad. His cruelty grows, causing henchmen to cower. No one is evil like a good man gone bad. CHORUS Some fall for power or vices more base. Others for love -- that's a hard one to trace. The hero's corruption leads many to death. Just ask the husband of Lady MacBeth. VERSE MacBeth was known for his honor and prowess, But ambition crowned him king and a cad. Some blame his wife, or maybe three little witches Helped to make MacBeth a good man gone bad. VERSE If he fancies a job as a hero, I should think that he's probably mad. Temptation calls him to go to the dark side. It's not too hard to make a good man go bad. CHORUS Although heroes are known to occasionally fall. They often do rally -- that's no fun at all For the women whose jobs are to lead men astray Circe, Delilah, Morgan Le Fey. VERSE It's a fine thing to cheer and applaud them. They're upholding the good way -- be glad! But I find that the view is much better, When I get to see a good man go bad.
4.
Magnus Retail © 2001 by Mary Crowell. INTRODUCTION Sometimes a wizard's bag of tricks Needs a little help, a real quick fix. If that's the case, you know what to do. Call me, Magnus retail, for the spells that cast true. CHORUS Your spell won't cast? I'll make another. Glamour won't last? Don't call your mother; I'm the genuine article, an alchemist, and genius squared. You need sigils and signs? Pay me money. Words to combine That don't sound funny? Thesaurus, procurer, businessman and genius squared. VERSE You say that you were walking along, When you tripped and fell and broke your wand. Don't throw away your ailing stick. I'll fix it, paint it, polish it slick. CHORUS Scrying to do? I can find it. An enchantment or two? I've refined it. Clandestine, done with utmost discretion by a genius squared. You want a carpet to fly? I can deliver. A mermaid's left eye? Shipped down the river. I specialize in merchandise of magic; I'm a genius squared. VERSE I've got amulets made of silver and gold; Rings from queens a millenia old. Wreak flaming death! Cause misery! There's just a small nonnegotiable fee. CHORUS Life’s a little less grim When it’s enchanted. An impossible whim Can be granted. Cross my palm with lot's of gold, and it is SOLD by a genius squared. There’s someone you fear. Need a favor? Should he disappear? I’ll be you savior As long as payment’s in advance as I demand, a genius squared. VERSE There's a witch whose looks are giving you trouble. Sabatra's her name with a boil and bubble. She's a cousin of mine, and I'm sure you can see Why I double my fee when it's close family. CHORUS (Spoken: Sooooooooo, you tell me . . .) Your spell won't cast? I'll make another. Glamour won't last? Don't call your mother. I'm the genuine article, an alchemist and genius squared. So, come on down! Magic wholesale! Best deals in town! Magnus Retail! I'm the genuine article, an alchemist and genius squared!
5.
Don't Leave Us Hanging © 2001 by Mary Crowell. VERSE We're following a trail of your device Relying on riddles and throws of the dice, Wisdom our treasure and rubies our gain. Your words have helped us, and yet they're our bane. VERSE One could have warned us, but we didn't hear. He couldn't listen; we were blinded by fear. Wisdom comes slowly, and that is a shame. Your crystal warnings are never the same. CHORUS Don't leave us hanging In the place where the souls are bound. I'm petrified of your opinions, And the questions all around. VERSE Your letters provide us with choices to make. I'm looking at options. Which one do we take? Flashes of insight appear in the eyes. Will we choose right, or will we choose wise? VERSE You and your puzzles, they put songs in my head. I'll dance to your tune. I'm so easily led. Music's the answer; the question you pose. But you ask another, and so our quest goes. CHORUS X3
6.
Some Believe 06:23
Some Believe © 2003 by Mary Crowell. VERSE Some believe you always die, Age a force you can’t defy. I do. I shall all the gods surpass! Hide my heart inside a glass Imbued With magic sand that never falls Frozen in translucent walls. Powder soft, gives such delight, My life Hides in a drift of white. VERSE They’re pouring wine upon my skin. 'Slender thread of patience thins Grows taut. Will they ever leave this place? Linen wraps around my face. I’m caught. Gravity, it rules us all. Still, I sought to slow the fall. Sand in grasping fingers sifts, My world, Forever lost in drifts. INTERLUDE Wretched thief, who took the box! 'Hid the key. My heart is locked. Now, I’m cursed to never die, Trapped within a rotting lie. Then they moved me from my tomb To a land of rain and gloom. VERSE Pity he who bares my skin, Feasts his eyes upon my grin So wide. Find my frozen work of art Shatter it, and break the heart Inside! Magic sand that never falls Frozen in translucent walls. Powder soft, gave such delight, My hope Hides in a drift of white. INTERLUDE Hidden high upon a shelf Rests the glass that holds my Self. I am cursed to ever live; They cannot my pride forgive. My things are with me to remind Of sunny homelands left behind. VERSE Some believe my bird has flown, Left me here with all I own Denied Weigh my heart against a feather, Dark and heavy like the weather Outside. Rain will melt right through this mesh, All that guards my rotting flesh, Wrapped up tight against the chill, My chest, An empty hole to fill.
7.
Captain of the Guard © 2001 by Mary Crowell. VERSE I said to my son “Now, honey, tell me, When you grow up, what will you be?” He said, “Mother, dear, it’s your greatest fear. I’m gonna be the King’s best friend.” “Every day since I was a tot, I wanted to be Sir Lancelot. Oh! What a life! He’s got a beautiful wife. I wanna be the King’s best friend.” CHORUS “‘Cause the captain of the guard gets all of the gals, Stays up late having drinks with his pals. There’s a short life span for the King’s best man, But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.” VERSE I said to my son, “Now, tell me sweet, Is there some other way that your family can eat?” “Can’t think of one that is half as much fun I’d like to be the King’s best friend.” “Life’s too short, and it’s not fair, but the captain of the guard gets more than his share. He’s the best sword of his wandering lord. It’s good to be the King’s best friend.” CHORUS “‘Cause the captain of the guard lives a beautiful dream. Most get the dregs while he’s skimming the Cream. There’s a short life span for the King’s best man, But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.” VERSE I said to my son, “Now what of intrigue? You’re a sharp man, but you’re not in the league of the Grand Vizier.” “Now Mother, see here! I’m gonna be the king’s best friend.” “In a world that’s rife with strife the King will trust in me with his life. He’ll never believe that I’m the type to deceive. I can’t. I’m the King’s best friend. CHORUS “‘Cause the captain of the guard can never be bought. That weakness for the ladies is a trifling fault. There’s a short life span for the King’s best man, But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.” VERSE I said to my son, “Love, don’t be a tool For those who’d use your vice to play the King for a fool.” He said, “Mother, I’ll try, but I’m not gonna lie. I’m s’posed to be the King’s best friend.” “I can’t fight that siren’s song, But my love for her cannot be wrong My liege may lock me away; my love I’ll never betray It’s hard to be the King’s best friend.” CHORUS “‘Cause the captain of the guard is a sensual soul But defending Truth and Honor is his primary goal. There’s a short life span for the King’s best man, But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.” VERSE I said to my son, “There’s Evil to hound. There’s Card’nal Richlieus scheming and Iagos abound.” He said, “Mother, I’ know, and to fight them I go. I need to be the King’s best friend.” “Swords will cross, and I may die. When I do the ladies will cry. And on that dark day, I know just what they’ll say, They’ll say he was the King’s best friend.” CHORUS “Cause the captain of the guard is an honorable knight. Even when wrong, he’ll do the thing that is right. There’s a short life span for the King’s best man, But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
8.
When I Grow Up (The Jessica Rabbit Song) © 2001 by Mary Crowell. VERSE When I grow up I wanna be The girl in a sequined gown With a bunny rabbit married to me. VERSE I know you think I’m just a loon, But she’s got great sex appeal -- That hair, those gams, that toon. CHORUS She’s not bad; they just draw her that way Posing and pouting her lips. She’s peeking out from under her Veronica Lake, Gloved hands resting on hips. VERSE She loves her spouse, Her bunny half. He loves her a thousand ways, But his favorite one is making her laugh. VERSE She’ll use rough means To save her man. When he heads into danger, She whacks him in the brain with a pan. CHORUS VERSE The private Dick Thought she was vile, But 'though he caught her playing patty cake He couldn’t help but admire her style. VERSE Her heart is gold (Looks like a jade.) Even then if you asked around, Roger Rabbit has got it made. CHORUS VERSE When I grow up I wanna be The girl in a sequined gown With a bunny rabbit married to me.
9.
Change of the Season © 2002 by Mary Crowell. VERSE The air is chilling, and my thoughts are reeling. They consume me. 'Don’t know the reason this change of the season makes me gloomy. Try as I may, It’s not June. CHORUS Dreaming of spring I can almost taste Pomegranate, peppermint. But then I wake, and I hear the wind Moaning and lonely for her. VERSE She’s got to go now to answer an old vow. She is dying. As I walk past her, the leaves falling faster, She is crying. Try as she may, It’s not June. CHORUS VERSE Your mother’s weeping. The dark earth is sleeping While I shiver. Do not despair, Dear, the seeds in his lair near By the river. Try as you may, Try as you may, It’s not June.
10.
Get Down Mama © 2003 by Mary Crowell VERSE Get down, Mama. Sleep your dark eyes down. The scarecrow’s a’comin’ and he ain’t no clown. Cloak yourself in midnight; duck your head ‘neath your wing. ‘Crazy things we’re hearing are not meant to be seen. Ah ah hah hah! Uh huh! Uuuh Huh! Uh huh! CHORUS Dead trees’ bones on the hills Wave at the tall rows of corn. North wind howls and it chills, Singing to the old things we mourn. Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! VERSE Get down, Mama. Dream a new sort of dream -- One with shiny metal, one that glitters and gleams. Scarecrow man is coming; he’s just clothing and sticks. ‘Come to get his payment. See which one that he picks. Ah ah hah hah! Uh huh! Uuuh Huh! Uh huh! CHORUS Dead trees’ bones in the shadows writhe, Wave at the long rows of corn. Reaps the man, with his low-slashing scythe. Soon the summer plantings are shorn. Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! INTERLUDE Get down, Mama. Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! Ah ha ha ha! Get down, Mama. Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! Ah ha ha ha! VERSE Get down, Mama. Croak your Gathering Caw. ‘Plenty food for eating if you saw what you saw. Scarecrow man is done now; he is gone for the night. We’ll feast here in the harvest ‘til the dawn of the light. Ah ah hah hah! Uh huh! Uuuh Huh! Uh huh! CHORUS Dead trees’ bones are our feast hall. We’ll eat the remains in the corn. The air is black, and it’s loud with our calls, Singing to the old ones we mourn. Get down Mama. Sleep your dark eyes down. Scarecrow’s a’comin’ and he ain’t no clown.
11.
Two Hours Away © 2003 by Mary Crowell. Two hours away, The world’s a wing and a cotton Christmas display. Sun glints into my eyes, its light, a triangle warm On my pen and arm. CHORUS I’m flying home Where you wait for me, Flying home Notebook on my knee. Songs were sitting at home. They stayed inside while they waited for me to roam. Then I captured the sun on a wing in Canada skies. Then those songs could rise. Songbooks stacked up alone; Piano’s near, but the room is silent of tone. I love coming home, and yet why does going away Tell me things are left to say? CHORUS I’m missing you, Love, Suspended here in the clouds of Heaven above. When I’m writing these words, and while I’m singing this song, ‘Journey seems so long. But I’m CHORUS Two hours away, The world’s a wing and a cotton Christmas display. Now I’m coming home on a wing in Canada’s skies. Now my notes can rise! CHORUS And I come to Alabama with a notebook on my knee.
12.
Doctrine of Ethos © 2002 by Mary Crowell. INTRODUCTION Music was considered divine. Pythagoras, he showed us how with twine, Or string, Whatever. The ratios are the thing That makes perfection. Organized sound has a predilection For controlling the universe! VERSE There used to be magic in songs that were played. The music got inside your head, and there it stayed. The Doctrine of Ethos said music’s a force, A microcosm of creation at its source. CHORUS It’s mathematics,the ultimate code! And the universe was singing in my favorite mode. You had to listen. The sound made you whole. Any shape the player wanted, he could twist in your soul. VERSE The music of ancients used several modes. Through dorian and phrygian the power flowed. The music played hot, and the music played cold. The legends say, that in its day, it rocked and rolled. CHORUS INTERLUDE You want ‘em calm as you demand in the palm of your hand? Dorian’s the mode you want, Brother! Forgetting right from wrong so exciting is your song? Phrygian’s the mode that fires ‘em like no other. VERSE Some say that it’s evil. It makes the mind weak. But ethos is the magic that musicians seek. They say that it’s lost now. They say that it’s gone. But those that play the day away will prove ‘em wrong! CHORUS VERSE Philosophers spoke of the music of spheres, and politicians limited what one could hear. Upon much reflection, I have to conclude There’s those who would prefer the power more subdued. CHORUS INTERLUDE I hope you understand that the music’s in command. You’re the one awaiting its pleasure. And he who this denies is most certainly unwise. His muse is false. There’s no one waltzing to his measure. VERSE There’ll always be magic in songs that are played. The music gets inside your head, and there it stays. The Doctrine of Ethos says music’s a force, A microcosm of creation at its source. CHORUS (VARIATION) It’s mathematics,the ultimate code! And the universe is singing in my favorite mode. You have to listen. The sound makes you whole. Any shape the player wants to, he can twist in your soul. CHORUS (VARIATION) Any shape the player wants to, he can twist in your soul.
13.
Ravens 04:38
Ravens © 2001 by Mary Crowell VERSE Black wings beat. They’re near the glass of my window. Shattered sound jars something in my mind. As I watch them flying high and low, Playing games with others of their kind. CHORUS Ravens, Adorning their wings with shards of night. Ravens, Travelling farther in their flight. VERSE Pictures tumble down like rocks and boulders, Magic messages which cloud my mind. Thought and mem’ry sit upon my shoulders, See what’s seen by others of their kind. CHORUS Ravens, Searching for secrets in the night. Ravens, Gathering wisdom in their flight. VERSE Beats his wings. And now we have a shoreline. So it’s said in the collective mind. Making worlds, he is a bird divine, Bringing water to the human kind. CHORUS Raven, Gathering people in the night. Raven, Yes, it is he who sets things right. VERSE Black wings beat. They’re near the glass of my window. Shattered sound jars something in my mind. As I watch them flying high and low, Playing games with others of their kind.
14.
Bad Man Go Good © 2001 by Karen Murphy and Mary Crowell. VERSE I've watched a lot of good men go -- bad. And damn it, now it's making me mad. I do not see the attraction Or the kind of satisfaction (They find) promised in the pleasures so easily had. VERSE My honor halos around me -- like a cloak, My name is one the good guys will invoke. But although I can stand tall, And am known in every hall, She's the one with whom he'd rather he woke. CHORUS (He's) living it up with some tart in a tower, Giving it all to some witch with dagged sleeves. Figure it out! She wants money and power. "It must be my charm!" this moron believes. VERSE She ruins lives and plots ill -- with the best, As many of her victims can attest, Yet though her evil's known -- Hell, it must be her cologne, Our captain’s latest letter says that he is her guest. VERSE He was just supposed to capture her tower and fort. Now his message says, "I'm pleased to report, “That she's truly a sweet jade, And I've really got it made. Can I count on you to give us your unflagging support?" [Spoken] ‘Cause He’s BUSY! Doing What? CHORUS VERSE I could tell him he's the third one she’s bested this year Or suggest he might have something to fear. But he's like all the rest, He'd just think that I'm a pest For warning words of wisdom will fall on deaf ears. VERSE But I'm tired of this game played out -- as she would. I think it's time I do what's said I should. I’ll find one of her men, And bring him back to Right again; I've longed to make a bad man -- go good. [Spoken] We’ll just turn the tables a bit. Hmmmmm? He’ll be . . . CHORUS Giving it all to me here in my tower, Giving it all, his soul to retrieve. I'll turn him to good. Just give me an hour. I have it within me to make him believe. VERSE Or perhaps I should devise a novel plan That doesn't risk the soul of any -- man. If I give my own attention To her feminine dimension, Make a bad woman go good, Oh -- I can. CHORUS (She’ll be) Giving it all to me here in my tower, Giving it all, her soul to retrieve. I'll turn her to good. Just give me an hour. I have it within me to make her believe.
15.
Legolas 04:51
Legolas © 2002 by Mary Crowell. I like to watch him on the silver screen. ‘Built like I like ‘em, he is long and lean. Yes, he is, And I am his. ‘Gotta thing for an elf, can’t help myself, O Legolas! He’s not a talker, likes to use his bow To good advantage on his orcish foe. Yes he does, And I’m in lust. I just love pointy-ears, don’t care who hears me, Legolas! INTERLUDE The Ring is s’posed to find ‘em And in the darkness bind ‘em. I don’t wanna lie to you. There’s just one precious thing that is needing a fling. It’s Legolas! I’m just a’ sittin’ here all by myself. I’m thinking naughty thoughts about this elf. Yes, I am. ‘Don’t give a damn! Gotta thing for this shy, tall, elven guy, O Legolas! There’s those who argue ‘bout the movie’s plot. Because of time, the film left out a lot. Bombadill is not my thrill. I’ll just sit here and stare at his long blond hair, O Legolas! INTERLUDE This girl I know likes Strider, And no. I won’t deride her. But she can have her Aragorn. The return of the king, won’t inspire me to sing Like Legolas! I like to watch him on the silver screen. ‘Built like I like ‘em, he is long and lean. Yes, he is, And I am his. ‘Gotta thing for an elf, can’t help myself, O Legolas!

about

Courting My Muse (released 2007) is Mary Crowell's first solo album recorded with Greg Robert in the Vault.

Peter Alway discusses Courting My Muse:
Mary Crowell's (quadrivium's) "Courting My Muse" has overcome the special challenges of a solo recording, (I ranted about perils of piling on the accompaniment from guest musicians) because, for starters, she a damned fine pianist. Secondly, she's got a couple of bands to draw from: Play it with Moxie, the Gafilk house band; and Three Weird Sisters.

I'm guessing that doctorate in music is coming into play here, as well.

This is about the jazziest filk CD I've heard, but it's not all Jazz.

Mary's Pegasus-nominated "Legolas" is there, which is a lot of fun.

But my favorites are: Some Believe: Just the coolest mummy song you'll ever hear. Cool mysterious Middle Eastern sound (harmonic minor?) and special recording effects that work well. This song gave me shivers up my spine while I was typing a few paragraphs back. Remind me to enter this in the Pegasus brainstorming poll.

Get Down Mama: Inspired by her son Simon's surreal observations, the music is at least as cool as the imagery. I'd enjoyed it in concert, and it really shines on this recording. The creaky percussion really adds to it, especially when you realize that narrator isn't human.

Two Hours Away: A very sweet song, the folkiest thing I've heard from Mary, I am reminded of Tom Lehrer describing the piano as an 88-string guitar. As good a performance of a ballad as I've heard on any recording, filk or mainstream.

Doctrine of Ethos: A fun music geeking song. Especially as a dulcimer player with a minor in math. Dulcimers use modes more than most musicians who play more chromatic instruments, so the mode stuff is cool.

The production values are top notch, Mary's voice is great, her piano skills are famous in the filk world, and the songs range from good to phenomenal. The only thing wrong with this CD is that I've heard Mary's more recent songs--they are even better!

credits

released May 7, 2007

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Mary Crowell Athens, Alabama

Mary Crowell is a singer/songwriter and piano teacher who loves mythology and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Her Patreon is here: www.patreon.com/DrMaryCCrowell
She may be seen at science fiction and filk conventions performing and accompanying concerts on piano and occasionally clarinet.
Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour is her third solo album and is a mythic musical journey!
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