the master:
|
I was dreaming in the steam room
|
everything was so clear for a minute
|
and I thought...
|
and the dripping tiles and...
|
and I said I'll confess everything
|
yes. I own this land
|
I own these forests surrounding my
|
...my estate
|
this is my tea coming
|
everything I can - I confess
|
|
the servant:
|
bend
|
now I have the bend
|
the best I ever
|
place the tea just so
|
then release and turn
|
oh no not yet
|
then release and turn
|
turn away then go
|
better try again
|
looking at me he's
|
wait 'til tomorrow
|
don't want him to know
|
next time he orders tea
|
release and turn
|
turn and limp away
|
turn and limp away
|
|
the maid:
|
I was walking through the forest
|
on my break today
|
I had this funny feeling
|
something was going to change
|
|
I was walking through the dry leaves
|
it was very strange
|
they hadn't changed their colour
|
all the leaves were green
|
|
I don't mind when it's over
|
I don't mind when it's all done
|
it's just the moments in between
|
just before it's gone
|
|
something's going to happen
|
something's going to change
|
I know I know I know...
|
|
the pantry:
|
and when autumn comes
|
well, there's lots of work to do
|
bill - that means you
|
time to clean the kettles
|
and the pots on the wall
|
pickling and preserving
|
all the vegetables
|
stop kicking the apples
|
are we pickling this year?
|
yes-you know we are
|
|
and when autumn comes
|
well, there's lots of work to do
|
bill - that means you
|
time to get the twigs up
|
you know, all those stick things
|
time to trim back the roses
|
so next year even more grow
|
does it hurt them to do that?
|
does it hurt them? no.
|
|
(Francesco the truck driver arrives)
|
and when autumn comes
|
well, deliveries start to go
|
here he is now
|
down into the valley
|
to the market he goes
|
down along the tiny roads
|
that wind along the vineyards
|
and people lean on their rakes
|
and they say hello
|
hello there Francesco !
|
Francesco there hello !
|
|
the bird:
|
(high sustain)
|
|
a boy coming home from lesson:
|
|
another boy:
|
and those are my swans
|
believe me...
|
there's no light.
|
and there isn't because...
|
it's so dark.
|
because it's so dark.
|
because it's so dark.
|
|
the maid:
|
I was walking through the dry leaves
|
it was very strange
|
the leaves fell without changing
|
no yellows and no reds
|
|
something's going to happen
|
something's going to change
|
and just then as I looked up
|
I remembered what you said
|
|
I'm crying because I love you
|
I know that things must change
|
I can't be there when you leave
|
what if you're afraid?
|
|
you said something about the leaving
|
the moments in between
|
the yawning when the world shifts
|
the clanging of the trains
|
|
and a dog sits up and growls
|
and a cow begins to bawl
|
and a nun nearby stops to listen
|
cross herself and then move on
|
|
I was laughing in the forest
|
I fell down in the leaves
|
and I watched the trees above me
|
crossing in the breeze
|
|
I love the bare branches
|
I love the healing bells
|
the bareness in the last sun
|
the greyness and the gold
|
|
and a flock of geese flew over
|
and I laughed harder still
|
I laughed 'til I was heaving
|
then everything was still
|
|
the servant:
|
bend
|
now I have the bend
|
place the tea just so
|
then release and turn
|
oh not yet
|
turn away then go
|
better try again
|
he's looking at me
|
wait until tomorrow
|
don't want him to know
|
next time...
|
time he orders tea
|
release and turn
|
turn and limp away...
|
limp away just go
|
turn away just go
|
just go... just go...
|
just go...
|
|
-----------------
|
The Bird In The Gravel
|
Jane Siberry |