We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Dietrich Strause & The Blue Ribbons

by Dietrich Strause

/
1.
Lights went down on the 58th floor he saw flames he heard the bells She stood inside the golden door in a robe and garter belt The Harbor Girl the statue-ess the crowned colossal dream She danced herself to breathlessness in the glow of his plasma screen He closed his eyes he dreamt the night of the pomp and pageantry Of the huddled mess the shackled light of yearning to be pleased She placed her hand upon her breast astride the conquered limb for hope and truth and righteousness she sang the Battle Hymn The Exile Mother tempest tossed the lady unfulfilled with silent lips she whispered soft "I don't love you and never will"
2.
Ancient Rite 04:15
Out tonight on an ancient rite past the windblown timberline the belly and teeth, the paws of the beast, run swift, his heart behind In a lightening strike, flash of light, the wool taken from the fold by horn, by haste, the prey laid waste, for the hunger we all behold he waits over her, his heart returns, weeps for the flesh it tore now the heartful beast mourns the feast of its prey upon the forest floor Out tonight on an ancient rite in the shelter of the trees you took my hand to the burning strand the timber fell at our knees on a night well worn, the cry of a storm, the moan of a love once fled your windblown eyes I was beneath your thighs pressed upon the forest bed Out tonight on an ancient rite so swift, wild, free the heat in your breath, the beat in my chest, just now catching up with me
3.
I drew a line in the sand to let my heart beat as it can to prove, to pledge, that love don't stop at the water's edge You drew a line in the sand to let your heart beat as it can to be true, to be brave, as steady grows a wild bouquet Through fire and field, on windblown hills, across the ocean floor I've come to see that all between's a drop and nothing more Let's draw lines in the sand to let every heart beat as it can to be free to be still, to love themselves and who they will To be arms made open to every broken wreck on the shore To be eyes to the teary, waves for the weary in swift and joyful storms Let's lay in the sand, take my heart and take my hand we'll draw one breath, it's all we have, it's all that's left swim east, swim west, love don't stop at the water's edge
4.
The day before time was born nothing was peace and quiet the holy tune shot the moon the heavens began to riot in a pillar of ash and a thunder crash the sun and stars would rise and all the creatures in all creation dreamt of walking upright The desert burned the forest turned to highways deep and wide the tempest grew and wicked bloomed and watched the water's rise drowning in the sand and wind were the starving sick and stray and all the creatures in all creation never dreamt it'd be this way From the waters we've waded, the fires we faded our flooded hearts run dry in cries that wake the dreams that break us each morning when we rise and I lay my head I dream and wonder, naked as all the rest for all the creatures in all creation, I wonder if I'm doing my best
5.
The King came home today, his ships rolled in the flags were raised trumpets played from the shore, the fanfare of his wayward war The rusted line his cavalcade, at the city walls the banners waved women lined the avenue, throwing ribbons at their boots One by one soldiers charmed, traded in their coats and arms the dress is torn the battle lost, kiss the ring with fingers crossed Alone he reached the castle grounds, at the gate his horse laid down the garden path now overgrown, his faithless mind was overthrown By fallen jewels from his crown, his sovereign will that often bowed to younger hearts on distant shores, the fairer conquests of his sword Through the halls the echoes led, an empty chamber, empty bed and when he sat upon his throne, he felt her dagger at his throat
6.
Philadelphia 03:28
Born into summer, raised on salt in the waves down the shore My sandy eyed sweet heart, we'd drive for hours or more At night we'd cross the river, where the boys and girls would play Where I lost the only one I loved in Philadelphia Strung out on the avenue with the lonely, sick, and starved in the South Street, city lights, we'd walk arm in arm She slipped free in a moment, in a moment all was changed When I lost the only one I loved in Philadelphia A shot and shattered window the sirens bleeding through I held my breath a-runnin' I followed the boys in blue I fell down to my knees on the street over where she lay Where I lost the only one I loved in Philadelphia
7.
Washed ashore in the rising sun, dressed in lace and ribbons and bows Even just for the day she was, the light of the Ohio On the banks under stars I lay, in my mind I'm off to see if that blue eyed wild bouquet, if she still thinks of me Listen to the waves roll, see the light shine I'm a son of god's daughters walking the waters, to her tonight Have the garden and have the fold, dream the dreams, have the fame and all the silver and all the gold, take my fortune, take my name all my feathers and wings, the deepest breath from in my lungs and all the songs I would ever sing, take my hands, take my tongue all my fur and fleece, all the blood this heart could shed for I'm a creature made whole, made free, held in her arms again

credits

released July 7, 2017

Produced by Dietrich Strause & The Blue Ribbons
Recorded by Sam Kassirer at Great North Sound Society in Parsonsfield, ME
Mixed and mastered by Paul Q. Kolderie
Design by Dietrich Strause

All songs by Dietrich Strause (BMI)
Ancient Rite inspired by "Spark Panther" by Genna Rose Nethercott

The Blue Ribbons are:
James Rohr (keys)
Jef Charland (bass)
Mike Castellana (electric guitar, pedal steel)
Tauras Biskis (drums)

Thank you to Paul Q. Kolderie, Sam Kassirer, Zachariah Hickman, Lyle Brewer, Billy Beard and Toad, Matt Smith and Club Passim, Chuck Honnet, and the Iguana Fund.

This EP was backed and partially funded by the generous Iguana Music Fund & Passim.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Dietrich Strause Cambridge, Massachusetts

contact / help

Contact Dietrich Strause

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Dietrich Strause, you may also like: