Alice's restaurant - .... and other really long songs

[Suzie]

I don't watch commericals. Nor would I dis your taste, just thought you were dissin me. Here's a cooler long song:
Terrapin Station
LADY WITH A FAN

Let my inspiration flow
in token lines suggesting rhythm
that will not forsake me
till my tale is told and done


While the firelight's aglow
strange shadows in the flames will grow
till things we've never seen
will seem familiar


Shadows of a sailor forming
winds both foul and fair all swarm
down in Carlisle he loved a lady
many years ago


Here beside him stands a man
a soldier by the looks of him
who came through many fights
but lost at love

While the storyteller speaks
a door within the fire creaks
suddenly flies open
and a girl is standing there


Eyes alight with glowing hair
all that fancy paints as fair
she takes her fan and throws it
in the lion's den


"Which of you to gain me, tell
will risk uncertain pains of Hell?
I will not forgive you
if you will not take the chance"


The sailor gave at least a try
the soldier being much too wise
strategy was his strength
and not disaster


The sailor coming out again
the lady fairly lept at him
that's how it stands today
you decide if he was wise


The storyteller makes no choice
soon you will not hear his voice
his job is to shed light
and not to master


Since the end is never told
we pay the teller off in gold
in hopes he will come back
but he cannot be bought or sold


TERRAPIN STATION

Inspiration, move me brightly
light the song with sense and color,
hold away despair
More than this I will not ask
faced with mysteries dark and vast
statements just seem vain at last
some rise, some fall, some climb
to get to Terrapin


Counting stars by candlelight
all are dim but one is bright:
the spiral light of Venus
rising first and shining best,
From the northwest corner
of a brand-new crescent moon [from Tom Polakis' Twilight Astronomy Landscapes page.]
crickets and cicadas sing
a rare and different tune


Terrapin Station
in the shadow of the moon
Terrapin Station
and I know we'll be there soon


Terrapin - I can't figure out
Terrapin - if it's an end or the beginning
Terrapin - but the train's got its brakes on
and the whistle is screaming: TERRAPIN


AT A SIDING

While you were gone
these spaces filled with darkness
The obvious was hidden
With nothing to believe in
the compass always points to Terrapin


The sullen wings of fortune beat like rain
You're back in Terrapin for good or ill again
For good or ill again