Trial Balloon

by Cat Faber

Trial Balloon cover art
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about

These are my test tracks. They may include suboptimal recordings or I may have done something stupid with the mixing. There will eventually be a real album that will include most of these tracks, but done right (I hope.) Thanks for helping me test things out.

credits

released 10 June 2011

tags

license

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about

I write music about science fiction and fantasy subjects, commonly referred to as "filk."

I write much faster than I can record. Recent songs may be found at my dreamwidth journal whose URL is given below.

contact / help

For help with downloads, click here.

For all other inquiries, click here.

Track Name: Art Feeds Life
Art feeds life and life feeds art,
And art feeds life, but you know you need
Guts, and brains, to follow your heart
Into the life you dared to start,
And the dreams that sometimes make you bleed.

So you pay the prices assessed
Burn bright, beating back dark of death.
Still you feel in your secret chest
There are times that you wish for rest
More than water or food or breath.

You're glad you made the crossroad deal.
You swore to go to any length,
And all your friends who wish you weal,
Straighten spines of silver and steel,
Tap their spirits to will you strength.

Strongly though you wish to stay,
The story calls you down the road;
You know you can't go on this way,
But still you think for one more day,
If you stand up straight you can bear the load.
Track Name: Hold The Line
The employer wants to break us, but the boss is on our side,
And the money this will make us is worth a little pride.
We will meet their fucking deadline; we will build their damn design--
Hold the line, mates; hold the line!

It's a rotten situation; let him bitch and strut and frown.
It takes more than just frustration to break the union down,
So we'll smile and take his money; turn it into yours and mine--
Hold the line, mates; hold the line!

If we break it won't be funny; he will treat us just the same;
We'll just make a lot less money, and eat a lot more shame,
So we'll build to spec exactly, though it's pearls in front of swine--
Hold the line, mates; hold the line!

Seven twelves at this location. When we're done, for my reward,
I will take that damn vacation I'll be able to afford.
I'll go biking in the mountains, up around the timberline.
Hold the line, mates; hold the line!
Hold the line, mates; hold the line!
Track Name: Common Ground
Common Ground
Lyrics and melody by Catherine Faber

(main lyrics)
You are the sun, I the sunflower near
Swayed by a music you make but can't hear.
My starveling heart has me twisted around;
Surely, it pleads, we can find common ground.

Blossom and feather, shelter together
Troubles to weather, on common ground.

My folk and yours different roads have to walk,
Lives as distinct as the hawthorn and hawk.
You who are rooted, in blossom are crowned;
Still I can hope to achieve common ground

Firefly-eager, I orbit you now,
Confused as my wee, simple brain will allow.
I cannot surrender this joy I have found;
I'll fight or I'll flee but I'll find common ground

Strange is the counterpoint woven and dared,
Partnered where not even meter is shared;
In juxtaposition new harmonies sound,
Working in concert to make common ground.

(background lyrics)
Shining flower, so entrancing,
In the sunny meadow dancing,
Hungry winds have turned me round
Till we stand on common ground

Blossom, feather, stand together
Storms to weather common ground

My folk, your folk separate walk,
Yours as free as flying hawk
Mine as still as tree green-crowned
Still I hope for common ground

You call fireflies to surround me,
You delight me and confound me
I must keep this joy I've found
I will find us common ground.

In the music we discover,
Be my partner, be my lover.
Let our song together sound
I the descant, you my ground.
Track Name: Common Ground 2
The same as Common Ground, above.