Death is before me today: like the recovery of a sick man, like going forth into a garden after sickness. Death is before me today: like the odor of myrrh, like sitting under a sail in a strong wind. Death is before me today: like the course of a stream; like the return of a man from war to his house. Death is before me today: like a long lost lover, to a man who has spent years as a prisoner. Death is before me today.

To a New York trader I did belong. She was built for sea both stout and strong, Well rigged, well manned, well fit for sea, We were bound for New York in Americkey. Our cruel Captain as we did find Had left half of our provisions behind Our cruel captain, as we understand, Meant to half-starve us before we made land; At length our hunger grew very great, There was but little on board to eat. And we were in necessity All through our captain's cruelty, Our captain in his cabin lay, A voice came to him and thus did say: "Prepare yourselves and ship's company, For to-morrow night you will lay with me." Our captain awoke in a terrible fright, It being the very first watch of that night. Aloud for his bos'n he did call, And to him related the story all. "Captain," said he, "if that be so, Then pray let none of your ship's crew know, But keep your secrets in your breast, And pray to God to give you rest." "There's one thing more I have to tell When I in Waterford town did dwell, I killed my master, a merchant there All for the sake of his lady fair. I killed my wife and my children three All through that cursed jealousy And on my servant laid the blame hang-ed he was all for the same." Early next morning a storm did rise Which our seamen did much surprise The sea was all o’er us fore and aft ‘Til scarce a man on deck was left. Bos'un he up and declared That our captain was a murderer And it so enraged the whole ship's crew That they overboard their captain threw. When this was done a calm was there Our good little ship homeward did steer The wind abated and calmed the sea And we sailed safe to Americkey. And when we came to anchor there Our good little ship all for to repair The people wondered much to see What a poor, distressed shipwreck crew were we.

Cold, like the winter Frosted on the window sill So, memories linger Like a windless bitter chill Chorus: Crying out for solace, Reaching back far behind Flying through the forest Of your Soul in the garden of my mind Now nights are longer And the fire’s not so bright Darkness is stronger Without you to bring me light

V1 What becomes of tomorrow With yesterday still on my mind? Do you think I could borrow Another year from Father Time? I want to be like the Serpent Coil around and eat my tale Maybe then, I’ll find healing In the belly of this Whale Chorus: Running fast and going nowhere I’ve got nowhere left to hide And if I did I wouldn’t go there Not without you by my side V2 Oh, I know where to find you I know where you’ll always be Let me know when the rent’s due I’ll make sure your drinks are free Only you know how to tame me And your kiss is like a dove Will I ever be the same me? When that voice comes from above? Chorus V3 Life’s a clock, my time is turning Soon I’ll lay me down to sleep From both ends my candle’s burning But is there something I can keep?

Mist in the trees, lying low. Crawling - you don’t want to go Wisps in the leaves, cold like snow. Calling - I must know. What can you see at the edge of your eyes? Disappears when you try to surprise Forest has known your energies Something has grown out of your memories. Search for the path for so long and at last you can pass, But what’s here in the shape of a deer? It’s a ghost of your mind who will help you to find what you seek. Time slowing down as the year turns around and it bounds through the year while your heart’s full of fear And you want to stay close or your lost… but you’re weak. Deep in the wood, what have you seen? Robyn the Hoode? Jack in the Green? Forest grows old, myth out of mud Flesh of your mind, bone of your blood. High on a hill, a fort of not-stone, Deep runs the chill, echoes you’ve known Long time ago, already seen Know in your heart where you have been. Deep in the wood of your mind you will find there Your death and rebirth and the stories behind All the ways of your bones and the ways of the stones where the ice is. There is a place where your memories trace in the snow, long ago: what your ancestors know - Take me there – back to Lavondyss.

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My husband was a writer and a good one. He said the ruling party was to blame. For civil rights abuses and corruption By day he spoke, by dead of night they came. My twelve year old, he fought against them bravely They struck him down and held him to the floor They made him watch while other men disgraced me And now my son will speak to me no more. I took the girls and sought my husband’s family And left my son within my mother’s care, but though I Pleaded on my knees they would not have me. For fear the ruler’s henchmen would come there Chorus: I’ve always tried my best to raise my family To be a loving daughter, mother and a faithful wife But what’s the use struggling on so proudly, When your daughter tries to take her own sweet life? 2. My Mother had a flock of sheep to feed her She sold just half and told me what to do. A man would help me run away to England, Where we could start our lives again brand new. I can’t remember much about my journey I spent so long in darkness on my own. But one day I woke up alone in London With no papers and no way to call back home. I was tired, I was scared and as a stranger I didn’t have a place to lay my head I never knew how much I was in danger, until A man defiled me in my cardboard bed 3. I found a job and learned a little English I saved up hard to let my daughters come And after two long years were up and over I’d saved enough to rent a little home My mother sold her sheep to pay their travel This time they could afford to come by plane But someone on the plane thought there was trouble. And my woes were just beginning once again I met a lovely woman at the airport She asked me if I’d tell her all my tale. Policemen came and stood then all around me. And when I’d done they said “it’s off to jail.” 4. They took my daughters off to some far city To live where someone had some room to spare But someone found my daughter far too pretty And added to my little girl’s despair. They let me go to fill in all the papers I told them everything there was to know But I couldn’t name the current shadow secretary back home And when the form came back they just said no. So, there we were - all facing deportation Not allowed to earn ourselves a wage We lived on what the country gave my daughter For she was less than eighteen years of age 5. And then one day my daughter was a woman. A group of people burst in through our door. “Take”, they said “one bag of your belongings” “You haven’t any time for any more.” They cuffed us and they put us in their transport. They drove away to God knows where or when. They put us in a room without a window. And I wonder when we’ll see the sun again. If we go back where we came from it’s all over. My husband was an enemy of the state. I pray to God each night that He will save us But, I guess my darling daughter couldn’t wait.

You're in the park, it's after dark, your mates all gather round to 'ave a lark and someone's comin' who should be runnin' away. Under the skin - adrenaline - like their face, it'll soon kick-in. The beats keep drummin' and the blood is flowin' your way There ain't no honour in violence. There ain't no blood in a righteous war. How much more of the bullshit must we endure? It's just a matter of time. In fear and hate, you contemplate: "How much longer do we sit and wait 'til someone strong enough rights what's wrong in our land?" "The times dictate a new mandate: All blood criminals must migrate. Before our country shatters, we must take matters in hand." There ain't no courage in silence. Words are bombs in a righteous war. We're all just visitors, prisoners on this shore. It's just a matter of time. Your lies conceal the pain you feel - a barbed wire prison for a heart of steel but the tears we're cryin' will turn that iron to rust. What makes you free, the eye can't see. It's only living in community that can make us challenge the things that scavenge in us. You want the courage of lions? To know yourself is what life is for. You're only runnin' around for ten and three score. It's just a matter of time.

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The taste of salt and oceans roar On a coast I’ve never been before Too-ra-loo-ra-aye... The stones are strange, the sand is brown, I close my eyes and lay me down. I see a ring of dancers there with moonlit skin and waist-long hair I find a coat to keep me warm that I may watch the dance ‘til dawn. That coat is mine she says to me and is my passport to the sea Though on the land I sometimes roam, the waves and water are my home. I say “Fate has brought us here tonight I’ll keep this coat and hold it tight.” “I live such a lonely life, if I keep this, you’ll be my wife.” “Maybe so,” she says to me “What will you give for my dowry?” I swear to you by wave and foam To give you comfort hearth and home She breathes her name into my ear As daylight comes and sun appears. A name I will hear evermore When I hear waves upon the shore.

I've always thought it better to light up a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness on your own, But there are many ways to lose yourself amidst the madness and forget about the truths you've always known. But deep inside you can't hide from yourself. And every now and then, I see my eyes and wonder who looks back at me. And every now and then I hear my lies and know what I should be. And every time I do I wish that I could join the Club of No Regrets, but it gets so hard, so hard doing it on your own. I used to think that life would bring some friends that I could trust in, Who would keep me in the way I ought to go, But I won't forever for someone else to make the first move Or to tell me things I should already know. The deepest mind can blind you from yourself. There's a time when you must draw a line and not back down for anything, And there's a time when you must see it through and hold on to your dreams No matter what they say and when you do, you join the club of no regrets And it's not so hard, so hard, and you're not alone. (Dedication) (reprise V1) And every now and then I realise how others have got cause to mourn, And every time I do I wonder if I know that I've been born. 'cause when I see the things that people do to join the club of No Regrets, then it's not so hard, so hard, and I'm not alone.

I am a Goddess in her power and a bird that’s taking flight, I’m the beauty of the flowers and the stars that shine at night, I am every man and woman, I am bird and beast and hill - If you strike me down, my heart is beating still. I am the Mabon in the Morning and Apollo in the Noon, You can feel me in my power on the twenty first of June. Let the huntsman come to get me, for the fox in his den - I am Barleycorn and I shall rise again!

Will you walk to the sea, Where the winds carry me To say one last goodbye? There was joy in our years. There is salt in our tears And it's no shame to cry. Though my life cannot be the same, There's a roaring flame in my heart And I promise I'll never let it die - We're together apart And every end is start. I am going on before - There's another shore, where we'll stand On a braver day Where the ocean spray meets The white shore of land Where we will meet hand in hand. Will you walk to the sea, Where the winds carry me To say one last goodbye?