JC - please delete previous post (or its contents) - editing error I didn't notice until too late. Thanks

Just notices this on the unfulfilled request lists

Mick

(KING SUN, QUEEN MOON AND PRINCE NIGHT) (Bill Caddick)
KING SUN

King Sun so bold with his cloak of gold,
Wide into the world he has gone
(With his golden arrow and diamond bow)

To hunt and kill the white swan.
In five far lands, over seven streams (he) wandered
Following his arrows as they rain.
Till at length his long bow lies loosened on his shoulder,
And homeward (he turns) once again.

Queen Moon in her crown and her (silvery) gown,
She walks the walls of (her tower) .
And her star children stare from (the) windows high,
As she passes the lonely hours.
(While her vigil she's a-keeping all alone in her tower top,)

Her tears tumble downand turn to dew.
Then a darkness fills her (eyes) and her thoughts go a-wandering,
(As) the bold Prince Night (creeps) into view.

"Come down, come down, my beautiful Moon,
It's a crime such a lady to leave.
(If) you were mine I would hold you close,
And give you no reason to grieve."
Queen Moon she (comes) down at the words he has spoken,
And into his arms (she quickly runs).
And her marriage vow she breaks and a promise then she makes,
To leave the lonely (tower) of King Sun.

Then comes King Sun so wearily home,
Where the lovers make ready for flight.
"Now you are (returning) it's I who will go,"
Says the Queen, "I follow Prince Night."
Then it's King against Prince (and) light against darkness,
It's the clamour of sword upon sword.
Till Prince Night flings a shadow to the eyes of his enemy,
And the blind King Sun is wounded sore.

Low sinks King Sun as his red blood runs,
To stain both (soil and sky).
Queen Moon she takes flight in the arms of Prince Night,
While behind them (the) star children fly.
But the eldest of her daughters who is the Princess Morning Star
Lingers to call up the day.
Crying, "Rise up my father and follow you the Morning Star,
Follow on and I will show the way."

So the daughter is gone and the father follows on,
Till the length of the day passes by.
Then weary from wandering the King falls a-bleeding,
And the lovers once again rule the sky.
Queen Moon and Prince Night they flee from their heavens,
When the King's hot pursuit comes again.
And it's said when once (again) the King meets the lovers,
It's then that the world will meet its end.

Source - "King Sun, Queen Moon & Prince Night" - (c) 1974 by Bill Caddick - chapbook by John Crane (with illustrations by John Crane). Variants with ()
Source - LP Rough Music, 1976 Variants with <>

Notes from the LP: "King Sun" was in fact written for Magic Lantern, for performance by shadow puppets, while I was still a member of the group. The song is in fact a completely invented legend though it bears some resemblance to certain Eastern stories (For Magic Lantern, past and present)...(In addition to the above dedications, all the songs are of course for June).


ABC transcribed from the chapbook (I have changed only one note - 3rd line of ABC the B2 in 1st complete bar was A2 in the chapbook, but not on the recording, and never when I've heard Bill sing the song. There are other differences, but minor and I haven't bothered to transcribe it all from the recording).

Ki-i-ing/ Sun so-o-o/ bold with his/ cloak of gold,
Wide/ in-to the/ world he has/ gone/-
With his/ gold-e-en/ ar-row and/ di-a-mond/ bow
To-o-o/ hu-nt a-nd/ ki-ll th-e white/ swan./-
I-n/ five fa-r/ lands, ov-er/ sev-en streams he/ wa-n-dered
Fol-low-ing his/ ar-rows a-s they/ rain./-
Till at/ length his long/ bow li-es/ loose-ned on his/ sho-ul-der,
And/ ho-me-ward he/ turns once a-/gain./-//


X: 1
T:King Sun
M:4/4
L:1/4
C:Bill Caddick
K:G
(B,/C/ D)|G2 (B,/C/ D)|G2 B> A|G2 B,< D|E3
B|B2 A> G|D2 B,< D|E4-|E2
G (B,/C/ D)|G> A (G =F)|(D C) (B,/C/) D| G4-|G2
(G A)| B2 (A G)| d2 G> A| B< B A G|(G F) D2|
G> A B A|G G (B,/C/) D|E4-|E2
G< A| B2 A G| d2 G< A| B B A G| (G F) D
B,|(C D) E F| G2 B> A|G4-|G2||