I woke up yesterday and wrote down in my journal. "I am defending my existence. We need songs of revolution." In that spirit I wanted to share the opening song of a post-rock musical I have been working on, The Cat, The Bird + Revolution. Inspired by the legend of La Llorona.
lyrics
Scene One: A Love Letter From The Corporate State
Lights slowly fade onto the stage and throughout the isles. LABORERS begin to assemble in a line. They are covered in slips of paper that describe the different atrocities corporations have committed in the name of conquest and colonization. The LABORERS form a line and begin placing currency on the stage. Llorona is in line with the Laborers. THE KING then enters.
THE KING:
I’m not coming down.
I feel the earth still owes me ground.
(LLORONA gets to stage and places money at the King’s feet)
(To Llorona in a predatory manner:)
I can feel you breathing.
I can feel you reaching.
(To the kingdom)
You can call out the wind.
Call out the rain.
Call out the sun and the lasting gaze.
You can call out night.
Call out the tamed.
Call out “the one” but the pipes will play.
Some day in some way.
(THE KING wields their fire staff in a spectacle that inspires awe and fear)
THE KING:
I’m The God of Self
You best believe I made me well.
(LLORONA gets to stage and places money at THE KING’S feet again.)
(To Llorona in a predatory manner:)
I can feel you breathing.
I can feel you reaching.
(To the kingdom)
You can call out the wind.
Call out the rain.
Call out the sun and the lasting gaze.
You can call out night.
Call out the tamed.
Call out “the one” but the pipes will play.
(Each time the Laborers pass through the line they appear more and more disheveled. There is unrest. One LABORER can not pay the fee when approaching the stage and steps to the side, th LABORER behind them offers to help and also removes themselves from the line. This LABORER happens to be a younger woman whom the guard becomes "interested" in. This LABOR is captured in a stealthy manner. THE KING meanwhile is creating a spectacle keeping the kingdom focused on them.)
THE KING:
Some come on say what you will.
Say what you want.
Cause know that this is real
Cause it made my heart.
So I’ll stand you on the line.
Ive made this very clear.
That we all will face a time when we must disappear.
GUARD:
(Sung simultaneously)
Have gratitude for all that I do.
Loud thunderous sound. There has been an event. A possible earthquake. Lights flicker. Llorona uses this as a distraction and runs off... The revolution is imminent.
credits
from The Cat, The Bird + Revolution,
track released March 24, 2020
Written by Pauline Pisano
Performed by Pauline Pisano & Jason Crawford
Produced by Kerry Pompeo, Pauline Pisano + Jason Crawford
Additional production by John Arbuckle
Recorded at The Ice Plant, Concord Music Group + Pauline's Home Studio
Engineered by Kerry Pompeo + Wayne Silver
Mixed by John Arbuckle at Cove City Sound Studios
Sparkling synthpop with an emphasis on high-wattage chords and the kind of melodies that burrow themselves deep in the brain. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 1, 2023