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The Centre of the Cyclone

from Live In Session Spring 2009 by Alchemeon

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The Centre of the Cyclone by Alchemeon, from Alchemeon Live In Session Spring 2009.

* The Centre of the Cyclone is more-or-less in the key of A major.
* The rhythm and noises at the start and then in the instrumental section are in the key of E.
* 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.

lyrics

THE CENTRE OF THE CYCLONE
In forlorn castles too brief for living
We rose to catch the sun 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 where 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 where you may 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 lose
The axis which you hold onto
Thirteen is the number, twelve it is the rite
Thirteen red eyed ravens
Outside the house til 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 chimes 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

When you look out the bars you’ve made
Can you maybe follow a little way
To see there are no more shackles to pass
Yet more fresh air, green fields and grass

And we are like the butterfly
Cannot take off, our wings aren’t dry
But soon if we shall heed the guides
The caterpillar metamorphosise

credits

from Live In Session Spring 2009, released September 14, 2020
Original release date: 10th April 2009

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 Sound Gallery, Exeter, 22nd February 2009.
Cassette salvage and remastering at Wud Records Studio One, 2020.

Cover illustration by Pok the Bard.
Graphic design by Sam James.

Copyright © 2020 Wud Records.
Copyright ℗ 1984 Pok Songs/Explicit Music.

See also:
www.wudrecords.co.uk/artists/alchemeon/
www.explicitmusic.co.uk/lyrics-information/alchemeon/alchemeon-lyrics/the-centre-of-the-cyclone
twitter.com/WudRecords

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