Words to accompany my latest Spotify mix-tape I Believe In Music Jun2018
This ‘mix-tape’ was put together as a musical hug for a friend. I've listened to it almost daily these past few months which have been a super challenging time for me. It has been a life buoy, comfort blanket, spirit lifter, solace, distraction + inspiration. I hope you feel moved by the music too x
Dancing in
the Dark
The day before you came
I was dancing in the dark
All alone, a slow disco
To the rhythm of the night.
‘Keep your head’, I told myself
‘Keep it hid’.
Then you arrived, fresh from your bus
ride to Gulu
With your unchained melody,
Big love and beautiful life,
Singing ‘O Virtus Sapientie’.
The soft rain fell
As you came to stand by me
And the stone cold heart of glass
Melted out of my system.
I realized it was not worth hiding,
I was already spinning over you –
My fire burned a gentle storm
As you left to slip into something
more comfortable.
‘Dearly beloved, I can not but praise
you!’
My guardian angel, Queen Mab
Whispered into my ear.
‘Take it easy. Don’t worry and don’t
ask why.
‘As time goes by you will understand
‘We are all angels in chains.
‘There are no little lies
‘In this perfect world.’
As the summertime shed
Its glitter and gloss,
We met again at the river,
Waded into the blue
And, lost in music, reminisced
About halcyon days.
‘Remember New York, 2002?’ you asked.
‘We had to drive everywhere
‘Despite the deep waters.’
‘Like being in Wonderland…’ I
murmured,
Recalling the afro blue
Shining far across the universe.
‘This sunshine feels so good.’ You
remarked,
Laying your head on my belly.
I knew nothing but right here, right
now.
I longed to close my eyes
And dream of sheep and clouds
When you sang your lullaby –
Nwahulwana.
But the strange ways of this world
Had turned the day to night 52
And the May Queen arrived
In her soft machine,
Leaving her sister, Mahal Kita
To carry fire for us all.
They gave me a lamp
That spilled its light
Its very sound and vision
All along the sourire.
The seeds planted long ago
Within my childhood dreams
Suddenly began to crystallize
Into something more than being.
‘Credo, credo! Cocco bello!’
From the other side of the burgs,
As they began to sing Rachel’s song –
‘Cocco bello, Cocco bello!’
Jupiter flamed whilst the strings of
life
Played a tango in the night,
And we danced together, you and I
Beneath the blue moonlight.
‘We are stars.’ You whispered softly
And I nodded. It was true.
‘I believe in music, my friend.
‘I believe in you.’
