The Centre of the Cyclone by Alchemeon, from Alchemeon Live In Session Winter 2008-09.
* The Centre of the Cyclone is more-or-less in the key of A major.
* There is a classic chord progression in the first verses, which is A - Em - G - Bm - D.
* This mutates into C - G - D - Am - Em - G.
* The final chord of the whole song is an Asus4, which leaves a giant tantalising question mark dangling in the air.
* The Centre of the Cyclone has several sections, each with a different tempo and texture.
* It was first performed live in 1985 by Laughing Sun in the drama studio at Exeter College during a free lunchtime concert given for the students.
* Jim used his amazing understanding of arrangement to take this wonderful song and make it longer and more elegant with the addition of a guitar solo before the vocals start.
* It seems more and more extraordinary that Pok wrote the lyrics for this when he was only 19.
THE CENTRE OF THE CYCLONE
In forlorn castles too brief for living
We rose to catch the sound but were defeated
Just around the corner beyond the eyes
Beyond the skies we set ourselves as real
Like spaceships casting cosmic lines, left behind
With stars strewn from our astral selves and planets in our eyes
You walk along the road of life too high to see
The mountain you are climbing
Casting seeds and scrolls from our outstretched hands
The forgiven forget of the gift
And it’s too late, the ladder stretches up and down
And where do you stand in perspective to it all?
Can you imagine a place, a space that you have not been before
But which is not new to you?
A place you can recall softly, push through bad dreams
Make it real, remember
Complications contradict but reality sticks
And unbounded has its realms
In everything you see
Yes, what do you see?
Push through the dark vales to the sea
Cast your cosmic line wherever it may fall
Maybe you will find some higher guidance there or
Maybe you will find a place that you can truly rest
Maybe you will find some friends who love you the best
Listen
Listen
Listen
The tides of swirling memories
Are nearly gone but forgotten
Would you choose to beg or loose
The axis which you hold onto
Thirteen is the number, twelve it is the rite
Thirteen red eyed ravens
Outside the house at night
Outward, outward on out
Cast light, cast light about
Outward, outward on out
Look out, which way is far out?
Petty wages are falling like leaves, calling the master
To apprenticeship again
Will he recall the time, the chime of freedom
Blowing through his keyhole
Step down from your pedestal and mingle once again
With the crowds that you shunned as a youth
At the centre of the cyclone
Where all our thoughts are real
You’re cacooned in your mental egg
Imprisoned inside your head
If we look out the bars we’ve made
Can we maybe follow just a little way
To see there are no shackles to pass
Yet more fresh air, green fields and grass
And we are like the butterfly
We can’t take off, our wings aren’t dry
But soon if we shall heed the guides
The caterpillar metamorphosise
Words and music by Simon Miller.
This arrangement by S. Miller/G. Davies/J. Peters/Iggy.
Performers:
Pok the Bard – guitar and voice
Jim Iz – keys and voice
Iggy – drums and percussion
George – bass and technicals
This version recorded live at Depot X, Exeter, 13th January 2009.
Cassette salvage and remastering at Wud Records Studio One, 2018.
Cover illustration by Pok the Bard.
Graphic design by Sam James.
Released August 23, 2018
Original release date: 15th January 2009
Copyright © 2018 Wud Records.
Copyright ℗ 1984 Pok Songs/Explicit Music.
See also:
https://www.wudrecords.co.uk/artists/alchemeon/
https://www.explicitmusic.co.uk/lyrics-information/alchemeon/alchemeon-lyrics/the-centre-of-the-cyclone
https://wudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-session-spring-2009
https://wudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-session-winter-2008-09
https://twitter.com/WudRecords
