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The Godmother

from No Signposts. by Anne Lister

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There are many different versions of Sleeping Beauty out there, some healthier than others. This is a healthy version.

lyrics

She wasn’t invited to the christening, but still she thought she’d go
Taking her own present for the child.
And the others travelled in sunlight, but her journey was ice and snow
And when she reached the feast her eyes were wild.
The others gave the girl gifts of beauty and of love
All the things a princess shows to the world
But the uninvited guest gave her anger in a velvet glove
And they wondered what use that was for a girl.

As the girl grew older, she lived life in a dream
Seeing love in every young man’s face and hands
And her godmother watched discreetly and stayed clear of the scene
And tried to find a lesson she’d understand.
She sat at a spindle, spinning a silken thread
Which the young girl picked up carelessly one day
The needle pricked her finger and she fell down as if dead
And her godmother froze the action on the play.

She whispered very secretly into the young girl’s ear
And gave her the common sense she’d need in life.
How beauty may be wonderful but some kinds disappear
And certain kinds of love fade overnight
But anger gives us energy, and how we should beware
For silken threads can hide a cruel pain
And how there are many ways for us to show we care
But smothering with kindness is no gain.

Through the briar forests the young men hacked their way
But the thorns blocked their swords and turned the blades
Until one came at last who sighed without dismay
Stepped in naked, defenceless and unafraid.
The forest split before him, the castle door stood wide
The girl woke as he walked in through the door
And as the later years went by they worked side by side
And nothing was ever quite the way it was before.

She wasn’t invited to the christening or welcomed to the feast
The gift she brought was almost thrown away
But I’ve often learnt the most from the lesson I’ve liked least
The one that came in an unexpected way.
Anger in a velvet glove is a treasure fit for queens
A gift to truly celebrate in song
Sometimes the wisest council has been whispered me in dreams
Only naked and defenceless hearts are strong.

credits

from No Signposts., released June 18, 2020
Pipes - Steafan Hannigan. Glock - Anne

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Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

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