FROM THE ANCIENT WOODLAND

Inspired by Robert Holdstock

From the ancient woodland
Where heroes were made out of water and sand,
Arise, arise, arise
To save us from the lord of the flies !

From the golden foliage
Waving there since the ice age,
Arise, arise, arise
In a shape we all may recognise !

Are you Herne the hunter?
Can you wield thunderbolts like Jupiter?
Rob from the rich and give to the poor?
I thought no-one believed in you any more.

Are you real, my Lion-heart?
Could you just take Jerusalem (for a start)
And then sink the ship of fools,
It's time to break the rules.

From the forest primeval
Come all things good and all things evil.
Choose your path! Choose your mask!
Choose your quest (an endless task)!

Wounded on the paths of glory,
Healed beyond the gates of ivory
Arise, arise, arise,
With hellfire burning in your eyes !

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are bitter
Arise, arise, arise,
To regain Paradise !

From the ancient woodland
Where heroes were made out of water and sand,
Arise, arise, arise
To save us from the lord of the flies !


CALLING C. (HIDDEN TRACK)

Volcanic isles / a dozen miles / only from the coast / in my dream / a hooded pilgrim / gives a terrible toast / to Him... /...
Underwater caves / half-human slaves / antediluvian cult / puritan throngs / your prayers and songs / are an insult / to Him... /... Lovecraft wrote / About these harbours remote / and left many a clue / to guide us across / the nameless moss / to You / And he said not a word is true, but we knew that he lied...