THE SLEEPY TREE
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Rhythm guitar and lead guitar by Childe Roland.
The crows are pinned to the belly of the sky by their wings, pieces of the night, black shards ripping at the clouds. The sun drips honey in the eyes of insect minds, in dry stone walls the spiders weave their shrouds. I walk alone, through fields of Summer sun, along the secret path to where the willow weeps. He's waiting for me with a touch so soft and warm and the sounds of the city die as I fall asleep. So won't you come and sleep with me, quiet and safe as can be. Won't you come and dream with me, in the Sleepy Tree. The buds of the leaves push gently into my skin, the branches twist and work their way through my bones. Sluggish and warm, I sink into an emerald sea, and memories fade of metal and brickwork homes.
The Statement of Henry Worthy by Brian Lumley from Dagon's Bell & Other Discords. NEL 1994.
The Old Forest by J. R. R. Tolkien. Chapter VI of The Fellowship of the Ring . George Allen And Unwin. 1966.
HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars, keyboards and bass by Steve Lines. Lead guitars by Childe Roland.
Standing on the shore near a sea of dark despair, high on a cliff, alone it does stand. The front door is open for any who may dare, enter the House on the Borderland. The whispering wind rolls in off the waves, weeping with the voices of the lost and the damned and in every window a sad and lonely face, lost in the House on the Borderland. I know in my heart there's a room there for me, with a view of the ocean as it washes on the shore. The time is drawing near when I'll walk by that sea and enter the House on the Borderland. And I'll walk its halls and its secrets I will learn: The House on the Borderland. After all this time I will finally return to my House on the Borderland.
The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgeson. Manor Books. 1977.
NIGHTWINDS
Music by Steve Lines and Melanie Townsend. Lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars, organ, piano and bass by Steve Lines. Lead guitar by Childe Roland.
Like a bird with a broken wing; bamboo cage, no voice to sing; her painted face gaunt and thin, I can hear the nightwinds calling. A city sleeps, uneasy sleep, centuries of dust you weep, memories are bittersweet, I can hear the nightwinds calling. The lonely sky, the hollow hills, creatures suck and bite and kill, but I know you're out there still. I can hear the nightwinds calling. In the night you know, lost eternal soul; the world is hard and cold. The touch of the dark, there's poison in your heart, you're a thousand years old. I feel your kiss upon my cheek, icy cold with burning heat, won't you please come back to me. I can hear the nightwinds calling.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. Raven Books. 1976.
Fevre Dream by George R. Martin. Victor Gollancz Ltd. 1983.
Dracula Directed by Tod Browning. 1931.
THE STRANGE INVENTOR
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Mark Angell. Backing vocals by Ken Flynn. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Lead and rhythm guitars by Childe Roland.
There was a man who dreamt he could change the world but instead the world changed him, He wanted to reach out for the stars but the stars became cloudy and dim. He fashioned a most peculiar ship of hopes and memories and just to please the ordinary folk he also used nails and trees. This man he lived apart from the world with his visions and mysteries, he often would walk in wondrous lands and sail on shimmering seas. But those around him did not take to one who stood apart. One night they smashed his magical boat and broke the old man's heart. They talked about this strange little man and said he was insane: "What we did we know it was right, there was something wrong with his brain". The very next morning when they awoke, they found he was no more, all he left was a note that read "I forgive you all". Oh the Strange Inventor where is he now?
The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath from At The Mountains Of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft. Panther Books. 1968.
WHITE HORSE
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Electric and acoustic guitars, slide guitar, keyboards and bass by Steve Lines.
Like a moth to the flame from darkness you came and I won't see you again for a thousand years. Shining with the stars, like Jupiter or Mars, you'll soon be gone a blur of frozen tears. Shine on, my heavenly angel, shine on, shine your light on me. Spinning silver seed from some majestic tree, floating on the winds of the sun. On tired wings you fly, across the midnight sky, just like you my race is almost run. Your beauty and your grace in every upturned face, more beautiful than words can ever say. Take me when you go and wrap me in your glow, on a horse as white as snow I'll ride away.
Night of the Comet directed by Thom Eberhardt. 1984
2061: Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke. Del Rey 1987.
How we found out about Comets by Isaac Asimov. Longman 1983.
SANDMAN
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Electric guitars, bass, lead guitar, feedback and 'nightmare voices' by Steve Lines.
When I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep, into the dark I'm drifting deep, far from the light of day. Throw your dust into my eyes, keep me safe 'till sun arise, I want to dream of purple skies, floating far away. Sandman watch over me, Lord of twilight mystery, I want to see the things you see, hear these words I say. As I lay me down to sleep, I hear the laughing demons creep, tortured souls in horror weep; I cry out in fright. Shadows swell and touch the walls, the dark is flowing through the doors, I stand upon the endless shores, sweeping left and right. Crawling lizard, spider screams, Nightmare Wizard in my dreams, weird mutations, horror scenes, I cry out in fright. Sandman, Sandman, Master of Nightmares grim, Sandman I need you now, hear my whistle sing.
Sandman by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. D.C. Comics. 1974. National Periodicals Publications Inc.
Hero of Dreams by Brian Lumley. Headline Books. 1989.
THE MIDNIGHT SISTER
Music by Steve Lines. Words by John B. Ford. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Lead guitar by Ken Flynn.
Sister Midnight, Sister Midnight, one that shuns the earthly daylight, one that never learnt to pray right, nails that scratch and teeth meant to bite. She's your curse......is Sister Midnight, Sister Midnight, claws your eyes and you'll have no sight, haunts your mind and you'll die of fright, raise your fists but you still can't fight. She's the worst......is Sister Midnight, Sister Midnight, dances in the crimson moonlight, craving blood all through the long night, walks upright when she has no right. She's your curse is......Sister Midnight, Sister Midnight.
Ghouls & Gore & Twisted Terrors. by John B. Ford. BJM Press. 1998.
Macabre Delights & Twisted Tales by John B. Ford. BJM Press. 1997.
EGYPTIAN QUEEN
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Rhythm guitar and lead guitar by Childe Roland.
If I had diamonds in the palm of my hand, If I had temples throughout the land, If I had oceans at my command, I'd give them all up for you Egyptian Queen. If I had the treasures from Solomon's caves, if I could hear dreams of men in their graves, if I had the ring that Sheba gave, I'd give them all up for you Egyptian Queen. If I had secrets from the Valley of Kings, if I could hear the stories that the Nile sings, if I could fly the night on Phoenix wings I'd give them all up for you Egyptian Queen.
She by H. Rider Haggard. Hodder Books. 1957.
She Directed by Robert Day. Hammer Films. 1964.
Queen of the Pharaohs by Leonard Cottrell. Evan Brothers Limited. 1966.
SHADOWQUEEN
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Electric rhythm and lead guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Backing vocals by Ken Flynn.
When darkness falls and creatures call from under crimson skies, you cry away your fears in tears the ravens prize and I will sink into the darkness of your eyes. The silent breath, the kiss of death, the dead will rise. Upon the ravaged breeze the savage demons ride. And I will sink into the darkness of your mind. Fear crawls into the halls a poison dart. Serpents shine and intertwine and fall apart. And I will drink from the darkness in your heart. When you awaken you will think it just a dream, but your soul has been taken by, the Shadowqueen. I can hear the Nightwinds calling, calling out to me. I can see the shadows crawling, I am the Shadowqueen.
Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice. Futura Books 1990.
SACRIFICE
Music and lyrics by Childe Roland. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Acoustic guitars by Ken Flynn. Electric rhythm guitar and lead guitar by Childe Roland. Bass and keyboards by Steve Lines.
Where were you when they sacrificed your soul? There's a wind that blows so cold it was a present from the Jester. But I'm steady as a rock when everyone is suffering shock. I'm gonna give you all of my dreams before I say goodnight. Your cats they sleep with one eye on the wall, they is chasin' ghosts and phantoms in the astral light. Where were you when they sacrificed your soul? There's a wind that blows so cold but you saved me now I'll never know. The kids in the alleyway they know their human rights but they're living in an age of micro-wave radiation. Now the Seven rays are here but we're still living in fear, the world is filled with highly dangerous humans. So where were you when they sacrificed your soul? There's a wind that blows so cold you're lucky 'cos you'll never know.
The Ceremonies by T.E.D. Klein. Viking Press. 1984.
The Wicker Man Directed by Robert Hardy. Warner Bros. 1972.
A SINGLE TEAR (acoustic)
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Acoustic guitars and harmonica by Steve Lines. Lead guitar by Childe Roland.
All alone you sit on endless shifting sands. Centuries of dust, falling through your hands. All you do is cry a single tear. Darkness in your dreams, shadows touch the wall, on misty wings it seems, you hear the nightwinds call. All you do is cry a single tear. Wine upon your lips, warm and bittersweet. Feel the warm embrace of eternal sleep. All you do is cry a single tear.
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. 1872.
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice. Macdonald & Co. 1989.
THE SLEEPY TREE (sleepy version)
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars, slide guitars and drums by Reefus Moons. Bass by Steve Lines.
The crows fly high, wings tearing at the sky, eyes as dark as night, lost in the clouds. In insect minds, honey drips from the sun, but they can't escape from the spiders silken shrouds. In fields of Autumn rain I find myself again, walking the secret path to where the willow weeps. He calls to me as the sounds of the city die and I welcome his embrace as I fall asleep. So won't you come and sleep with me, quiet and safe as can be, won't you come and dream with me, in the Sleepy Tree. Leaves so
soft push gently under my skin, branches sway and work their way round my bones. Safe and warm I sink into another world and memories fade of the life that I've known.
The Seed from the Sepulcher by Clark Ashton Smith from Tales Of Science & Sorcery. Arkham House. 1964.
Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving. Golden Galley Press. 1946.
GRAY
(only available on CD release)
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Mark Angell. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Lead guitar and piano by Ken Flynn.
We've slipped into the mirror, lost inside, We can only lose what we must hide. In the night they come to us with eyes of deepest dark, in dreams of strange dimensions, they tear our souls apart, we can't hide. We are the ones who must be silent. We are the ones who must tell lies. In silver ships they come to us, with eyes of deepest dark, out there in the dreamlands, they tear our minds apart, we can't hide. Soon they'll be back, to take us from this world. Psychedelic shining lights, swirling round and round inside my head. To the ones who have slipped into the mirror and the ones who reflect it in their eyes. To the ones who hide everything buried deep inside and the ones who can't be silent and the ones who want to die, you must hide.
The Night Callers by Frank Crisp. Panther Books 1960.
The Gods Hate Kansas by Joseph Millard. Monarch Books 1964.
Invasion Of The Saucer Men Directed by Edward L. Cahn. AIP. 1957.
A SINGLE TEAR (electric)
(only available on CD release)
Music and lyrics by Steve Lines. Vocals by Melanie Townsend. Rhythm guitars and bass by Steve Lines. Lead guitar by Childe Roland.
All alone you sit in a darkened room, voices of the damned call you to your doom. All you do is cry a single tear. Feel the soft embrace, the touch of Mother Night, soft against your skin, in the pale moonlight. All you do is cry a single tear. The silent scream, lost in the dark, wine upon your lips, poison in your heart. All you do is cry a single tear.
Martin by George Romero. Futura 1978.
The Dracula Tape by Fred Saberhagen. Ace Books 1980.
THE NINE MILLION NAMES OF GOD
(only available on CD release)
Music by Steve Lines and Melanie Townsend. Lyrics by Steve Lines. Keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars by Ken Flynn.
One by one the stars they fade, silent as they die. Constellations melt away in the twinkling of an eye. For time out of mind they've searched and the search is almost done. Now they sit and watch the skies. Soon the end will come.
The Nine Million Names of God from The Other Side of the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke. Corgi Books 1963.
