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The Glorious Vanquished

from When Death Went To Bed With A Lady by Joseph Porter

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The first verse is Robert Graves' Angry Samson. The rest is a personal reflection of an encounter with three muggers on the Regent's towpath in West London. Of course in a real folksong they would be idealised as footpads or cutpurses.

lyrics

Are they blind these lords of Gaza in their strong towers
Who declare Samson pillow smothered and stripped of his powers
O stolid Philistines stare now in amaze
At my foxes running in your cornfields with their tales ablaze
At swung jawbone and bees swarming in the stark lion's hide
At these the gates of well-walled Gaza a-clank to my stride

Are we blind these days or am I blinder still
That would bend their rule of iron to my weaker will
Now fine flung phrases and stumbling disbelief
At the jagged stone embrasures and the broken teeth
Of fallen angels across the spiked cannon in the gun pits splayed
Won't chase the eager ravens from the open grave

Then the barracks rang with laughter I'm the fool
Who sought to chase the lamprey from the lily pool
Who went to tilt at windmills but only fire breathing dragons found
That singed the laurel branches from the heroes brow
Who from the saddle crashing through briar patches to the ground
Cast aside my colours and made good my rout

Now the giants armour flashing and the wild jackal's bark
Make David cast his slingshot missiles wide of the mark
Sportsmen wager as Daniel meets his end
Forsaken by his maker in the lion's den
And Christ our Saviour bloody in the tomb still lay
When Mary knelt beside him on the third day
Christ our Saviour bloody in the tomb was lain
Nor rose He thereafter but died in vain

credits

from When Death Went To Bed With A Lady, released October 1, 1998
Joseph Porter, except Verse one by Robert Graves

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all rights reserved

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Blyth Power UK

Since 1984 Blyth Power have been playing and recording original music, which although regarded by many as fitting into the folk rock catergory goes so much further. Based around the lyrics of songwriter Joseph Porter, the band's sound is unique, and there is an atmosphere to Blyth Power that adds a depth to the music, and makes them more than just another pop group. ... more

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