"the white sail's skating / And the grey mist on the sea's face, and grey dawn breaking"

[larryhammer]

In the western United States, most main highways run parallel to railroads, in large part because both aim for the same few gaps between mountains. This means that, when we're driving to and from my parents' house, we pass the large freight liners, generally at least a couple going each way, over the 8-odd hours.

So when we play Vienna Teng's Aims, when we get to "Landsailor," we often have one right there to sing along to. Or if not a train, then to any of several tractor-trailer trucks, who also count.

In concert, Teng describes it as a love song to modern technology and capitalism. Done as a duet.

[Humanity:]
Landsailor
Landsailor, sail on time
Rain or shine, I know you can
Cloudraker
Cloudraker, share your finds
All your wonders at my demand

Lightbringer
Tamer of night
Blossom of hours unleashed
Make me a lawbender
All equalized
Saved from the chill and heat
Your power flows through me transformed
Here’s where I was born

Landsailor
Deepwinter strawberry
Endless summer, ever spring
A vast preserve
Aisle after aisle in reach
Every commoner made a king

Earthbreaker
Noble and prized
Feed me beyond my means
Hello worldmaker
Never denied
Build all my wildest dreams
But there’s a storm outside your door
And I’m a child no more

[Technology and capitalism:]
Headless and faceless
Tireless and seamless behind these walls
This is my progress
When you don’t notice my lines at all
I split the world open
Delve ever deeper in my alchemic arts
I crack the ciphers to free up your mind, your life, your heart

[Duet, humanity's lyrics:]
Oh landsailor
In the bed that we’ve made
May every nail be shown
Great lifebringer
The price that we pay
Time that you made it known
I want to be your bride in full
Shield my eyes no more
Oh I am altered now for good
Shield these eyes no more

That.

---L.

Subject quote from "Sea-Fever," John Mansfield.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

This was one of my favorites from that album--it was the second verse I especially loved.

Right now I'm listening to "Never Look Away."

Thank you so much for linking to it, back when you did ♥

[larryhammer]

I want the romance novel based on "Never Look Away," with the successful alpha-ish male and the strong woman.

---L.