NEW TRACK FOR 2020! This one's for Aerie, in all of her fierceness, sung by those who love her. S. J., inspired by Catherynne M. Valente's streamed quarantine readings of The Orphan's Tales from March through Halloween 2020, has written yet more Orphan's Tales inspired songs, and this one is the first of those new fledglings. "Gosling Girl" seethes with the power of a young shape shifter who remakes herself, avenging her foremothers when no one else will.
lyrics
Grass and leaves, little grey heart,
little grey goose, little grey dove.
Let the knife be small to fit your hand; no matter.
Fast avenging all you love,
wild of eye and free of feather, fly!
Fast, the flock that never flew.
Strong, the ugly duckling.
Monster skin to wrap you in,
fruitful all your hunting.
Matriarchs who rode the steppes,
fathers slain by raiders,
changing shape to wield a blade:
gosling girl avenger.
Grass and leaves, little grey heart,
little grey goose, little grey dove.
Let the knife be small to fit your hand; no matter.
Fast avenging all you love,
wild of eye and free of feather, fly!
Princeling brothers try their best
in the face of wicked laughter.
Wizard's blood upon your hands,
leave them trailing after.
By your mother's starlit words,
beastly skin surrounds you.
Changing shape to wield a blade,
whisper "death has found you!"
Stars above us, stars within,
bright beneath our shifting skin.
A mother's magic, in the end,
shall leave the deepest mark.
Stars above us, burning high,
guide the flocks who never fly.
The path's before you, should you try
to journey through the dark.
Grass and leaves, little grey heart,
little grey goose, little grey dove.
Let the knife be small to fit your hand; no matter.
Fast avenging all you love,
wild of eye and free of feather, fly!
Wild of heart and burning feather, fly!
Wild of eye and free of feather, fly!
credits
from For the Girl in the Garden,
released October 31, 2006
Vocals, guitars, bass, words, and music by S. J. Tucker, tracked at The PixieHouse while sheltering in place.