I can't remember what the correct word was supposed to be as it was something mystical and ancient, but the very nice man who explained all this to me was very definite about it and said that he had checked when the same error was pointed out to him. He also said that this single word was crucial to understanding the whole song as Michael was trapped not by a kiss oh,but by some mystical creature whose name escapes me.
Does anyone know anything about this? I can't seem to find my copy of Liege and Leaf at the moment. In the meantime I think I shal continue to sing the words I have been singing.
thanks
Robbie
CRAZY MAN MICHAEL (DT Lyrics)
(Richard Thompson and David Swarbrick)
Within the fire and out upon the sea
Crazy Man Michael was walking
He met with a raven with eyes black as coals
And shortly they were a-talking
"Your future, your future, I would tell to you
Your future, you often have asked me
Your true love will die by your own right hand
And Crazy Man Michael will cursed be"
Michael he ranted and Michael he raved
And beat at the four winds with his fists-oh
He laughed and he cried, he shouted and he swore
For his mad mind had trapped him with a kiss-oh
"You speak with an evil, you speak with a hate
You speak for the devil that haunts me
For is she not the fairest in all the broad land?
Your sorceror's words are to taunt me"
He took out his dagger of fire and of steel
And struck down the raven through the heart-oh
The bird fluttered long and the sky it did spin
And the cold earth did wonder and start-oh
"Oh, where is the raven that I struck down dead
That here did lie on the ground-O
I see but my true love with a wound so red
Where her true lover's heart it did pound-O.
Crazy Man Michael, he wanders and walks
And talks to the night and the day-oh
But his eyes they are sane and his speech it is clear
And he longs to be far away
Michael he whistles the simplest of tunes
And asks the wild woods their pardon
For his true love is flown into every flower grown
And he must be keeper of the garden
Copyright Sparta Florida/Warlock Music
recorded by the Fairport Convention on Liege & Lief
@madness @murder
filename[ CRAZMIKE
JY
