A forlorn song featuring synthesized pan flute, flute, and orchestral harp.
Man's best bryophyte. Only musical.
Mossdog is the creation of a woman with a synthesizer, a computer, a great deal of passion, and virtually no musical theory training. She has a lot of wonderful friends who back her up, and she appreciates them all.
Story behind the song
The lyrics to this song were composed as a performance piece for an online roleplaying game (GemStone IV, by Simutronics Games -- www.play.net) in response to an in-game event. The author identified herself in the game as Tanager Skydancing and used the title "Sorrow" for this poem at that time. A log of the event that inspired the piece can be found at http://www.mularos.com/Longing.html.
Mossdog would thank the original author for permission to use the poem, but it would be recursive.
Mossdog would like to thank Nathan Gibbs for use of his photo for this song's icon. Full-size version: http://flickr.com/photos/nathangibbs/77244080/in/pool-stock/
Lyrics
This version of "Roses" is instrumental only, but lyrics do exist, as listed below. To shorten the song for performance, there are actually four verses missing from the mp3.
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Roses are all I remember.
That soft scent is all I remember.
Roses are all I remember,
Dark roses, and you.
When we venture into hostile shadows,
Then we wear our hearts bright as lit brands,
Keep our valor and honor about us--
We will not be whipped with commands.
With our spells woven strong, sharp blades gleaming,
We bring waiting death in our hands--
But there's one in the depths of the shadows
Who laughs, for the dark understands....
Roses are all I remember.
That soft laugh is all I remember.
Roses are all I remember,
Dark roses, and you.
I raged down to the Shrine of the Jackal,
Vengeance honed, poised to call storm and fire--
I summoned inferno about me.
'Let all Darkstone become Your cursed pyre--'
But the shadows held secrets, not madness,
And a youth with soft words to inspire
Thirty thousand lost dreams, with the memory,
Sixty thousand cruel dreams of desire....
Roses are all I remember.
That soft smile is all I remember.
Roses are all I remember,
Dark roses, and you.
So he watched from the shadows, admiring,
As I cast my strength ragged and torn--
His compassion put balm to my fresh wounds
When I trembled from heartbreak and scorn.
And I bear only hate for the Serpent,
And my fight with the Jackal, I've sworn--
But the Sorrower came bearing kindness
When I stood there, alone and forlorn.
Roses are all I remember.
That soft touch is all I remember.
Roses are all I remember,
Dark roses, and you.
Lord Morvaneus, my daggered words tore thee.
Where those barbed complaints' fell,
I regret that I lashed you so cruelly--
For I, too, have heard this battle's knell.
Forgive what I assumed unknowing--
For now I have been led there as well,
And I now know the depths of our weakness,
And there's souls that a kind word can sell--
Roses are all I remember.
Those soft words are all I remember.
Roses are all I remember,
Dark roses, and you.
I set off the Sorrower's token
Lest my wistful heart hold it too near--
There is more in a rose than its briars,
And it isn't the rose-barb I fear.
If you fight for Liabo, this battle,
Hold your friendships and family dear--
Lest the Painlord's caress fill your senses
And your path falter, no longer clear.
Roses are all I remember.
That soft scent is all I remember.
Roses are all I remember...
...Eryael...
...and you.
