The White Snake

from Ten Told Tales by Richard Buchanan

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    Ten traditional Scottish folk tales re-imagined in song. This CD comes in a booklet style sleeve with full lyrics and artwork derived from original linoprints produced by Richard for this release. Also comes with a code to download a free digital version of the album.

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lyrics

Once there was a king
whose cellars brimmed with plenty.
His subjects toiled the land
their bellies ever empty.
One brave man who dared to question
was forced to bend the knee
and live in servitude.

And there was a snake,
mysterious and hidden,
who’s flesh unlocked the tongue
of beasts to share their wisdom.
“Fetch me now this fabled creature.
I will eat its flesh, gain
dominion supreme.”

Off that broken man
went searching for the serpent.
blindly through the woods
and hills with anguish he went.
Nothing good from King’s new powers
will ever come to me
or those of this land.

He knew not what power
chose his wan direction
through the crushing force
of weakness and dejection
to the place where that snake lay
and gave him strength to stand
and slice off its head.

Weak and close to death
from ravages of hunger.
Without sustenance
he could go on no longer.
The snake’s white flesh quenched his hunger.
A morsel became two
and soon it was gone.

“Rise, oh chosen one”.
declared a voice beside him.
“Listen to our words,
our wisdom and our guidance”
From the woods, creatures emerged
and pledged their loyalty
to unseat the tyrant.

Up sprung the man unbroke
And charged upon a stallion
Back to the palace
Drawing men and beasts around him.
The king did flee into exile.
The man helped build a land
For all the common good.

credits

from Ten Told Tales, released August 30, 2019

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Richard Buchanan Scotland, UK

Former bass player with legendary Scottish 90s folk rock under-achievers The Lost Soul Band, Richard now writes, performs and records songs that draw from a wide range of influences.

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