Crazy Man Michael Lyrics
Crazy Man Michael was walking.
He met with a raven with eyes black as coals,
And shortly they were a-talking
Your future, you often have asked me.
Your true love will die by your own right hand.
And Crazy Man Michael will cursed be.”
And beat at the four winds with his fists-o.
He laughed and he cried, he shouted and he swore,
For his mad mind had trapped him with a kiss-o.
You speak for the devil that haunts me
For is she not the fairest in all the broad land,
Your sorcerer's words are to taunt me.”
And struck down the raven through the heart-o.
The bird fluttered long and the sky it did spin,
And the cold earth did wonder and start-o.
That here did lie on the ground-o?
I see but my true love with a wound so red,
Where her lover's heart it did pound-o.”
And talks to the night and the day-o.
But his eyes they are sane and his speech it is clear
And he longs to be far away-o.
And asks of the wild wolves their pardon.
For his true love is flown into every flower grown,
And he must be keeper of the garden.
Two things - first that Thompson's lyrics re-work a story that crops up on other folk somgs (listern for example to "Molly Bond" by the Oyster Band amd the tune is again an arrangement of the traditional Willie O'Winsbury.
Secondly, I've always understood that it was written by Thompson as a reaction to the motorway crash that hospitalised most of the band and killed both their drummer (Martin Lamble) and his then-girlfriend Jeannie Franklyn (who was also commenorated by Jace Bruce in 'Songs for a Tailor')/
thompson is a freaking gifted one
I suppose since i use this song title as my login handle i'd better comment on it...
Apparently the basic story behind this song came to Richard Thompson in a dream. It took a while for him and Dave Swarbrick to get it together as a song, but when Sandy Denny (RIP) joined the band Thompson thought her voice would be perfect for it. Richard Thompson has always had a kind of morbid sensibility, and this one is quintessential Thompson. It's one of his faves from the Fairport years (and mine too). I played bass and guitar for about 5 years in a celtic/british folk cover band called Crazy Man Michael.
Hi Crazymanmichael, Thanks for the input.
Hi Crazymanmichael, Thanks for the input.
Fairport conventions are one of the best ever.
Fairport conventions are one of the best ever.
I am looking for a couple of song by fairport convention. I had them but never knew the song title and now i have lost the files. One of the songs has lines like...."Come to the dinner (missed the word after that)....Table is laiden? high...Fat bellies and hungry little ones"..something like that. The refrain ends like, "Some get nothing though there's plenty to share".
I am looking for a couple of song by fairport convention. I had them but never knew the song title and now i have lost the files. One of the songs has lines like...."Come to the dinner (missed the word after that)....Table is laiden? high...Fat bellies and hungry little ones"..something like that. The refrain ends like, "Some get nothing though there's plenty to share".
Another one goes like this....."The times you impressed me the most are the times...
Another one goes like this....."The times you impressed me the most are the times when you dont try, when you dont even try".
I love the way this song seems to combine so many other folk tales: the shapeshifting of Reynardine and Mad Suibne/Sweeny plus certain aspects of Tam Lin and the descriptions of insanity through nature. It is truly a gorgeous amalgamation of old tales into one beautifully told 'new' folk tale. All hail Sandy for doing it such justice.
None shall say she was hardened solid for she was mercury in a comet's eye.
None shall say she was hardened solid for she was mercury in a comet's eye.