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Oh, Father

from Ballads and the Blues by T.C. Elliott

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about

Written on 26 February 2022 for the February Album Writing Month songwriting challenge (fawm.org) it is based one (blatantly stolen from?) "The Elf-King" by J.W. von Goethe. The original features a conversation between a father and a child on a late night, supernatural horse ride. In my version the perspective is changed from father and child to only the child and no longer features a horse.

lyrics

Oh, father! Oh, father, can you see this man
Who’s been a’wandering since this night began?
He comes ever closer, he beckons to me
Standing in darkness underneath that old tree

Oh, father, what do you mean you don’t see him there?
Yes, I am sure. I can see him, I swear!
He’s standing in darkness, his features concealed
Oh, father, don’t say that this isn’t real

Oh, father! Oh, father, won’t you build up the fire
Please take my word, you know I’m no liar
I swear I’m not making up stories again
I am afraid. Will this night never end?
Oh, father!

Oh, father, don’t allow me to fall fast asleep
Swear on my life this promise to keep
My eyelids are heavy, I fear I won’t last
I dare not sit back. I dare not relax

Oh, father, I hear him whispering to me
He wants me to go to him under that tree
I cannot resist his calling, I fear
Oh where are you father? You said you’d be near!
Oh, father!

Oh, father! Oh, father, I told you the truth
And soon you will have my body as proof
I feel his fingers, they’re cruel and cold
I feel him reach right down to my soul
Oh, father!

credits

from Ballads and the Blues, released May 6, 2022
Written by T.C. Elliott
With apologies to J.W. von Goethe

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T.C. Elliott Columbia, Missouri

If Neil Young and The Holy Modal Rounders had a litter of baby songwriters then T.C. Elliott would be the runt of the litter.

T.C. has written over 1100 songs and at least one of them doesn't suck.

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