We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

about

Title-track of our second CD Alexandria, this is an original composition loosely adapted from the poetry of C.P. Cavafy ('The God Abandons Antony' in Collected Poems translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard) and John Milton ('Lycidas'), and an adaptation of an old Catalan tune, 'Baixa dansa Barcelona', from a 15th century manuscript de Bruxelles, heard on a CD 'Le Moyen Age Catalan', Ars Musicae de Barcelone.

What are the links between modern and ancient cities, or fissures through which other worlds interact with this one? William Blake said we could read a culture by its buildings. Which ones dominate? Our parliaments, spires and universities cower under skyscrapers of commerce. May we still build an Alexandria within? Or has She always been with us - in our dreams, songs and stories? Perhaps it is for us to play the Fool, trace cracks in the stonework, knock upon hidden doors? In Chess, the Castle is the Rook, which means to cheat, or fool. In Greek myth, Hermes is the Arch Deceiver, but as Messenger and psychopompos (Guide of Souls), he is present in creative play (hence, according to Shakespeare, we are players); on a musical level he might signal a crack through which humour peeps; awareness of contradiction; an overturning or unorthodox realignment of forms.

Fortress, Rook, Citadel, Harbour, Synagogue,
Library of Babel,
Agora, Kraal, Bazaar, Babylon, Brave New World,
Chamber, Camp, Harem, Temple, Inn, Tomb, Tao Yuen, Utopia,
Ziggurat, Labyrinth, Avatar, Yahooland,
Gormenghast, Goblin Market, Burrow, Faerie Mound, Seelie Court,
Shrine, Tavern, Tee Pee, Ulro, Stonehenge, Pooh’s Turf,
Prison, Palace, Pyramid, Parthenon, Monastery,
Shire, Cave, Kingdom, Casino, Tower Inferno, Cair Paravel,
Toad Hall, Tower of Victory, Xanadu, Troy,
Holy City of Byzantium.

lyrics

One more day away from Alexandria
And night is long to sail -
Rolling in a slow procession moved a place,
A city fair and strange.

Send the felon winds and every gust of wings
Toward Bayona's Hold
Over tides of dark I'll ever know your love
An uncrowned whitethorn blown:

“Fame isn't mortal,
nor does it lie in rumour, nor in your pride
But in the Laurel you'll reign afar
And in the Silence of you
in your rain, in your garden, in the sun on the rill
in Alexandria.”

As one so long prepared you'll hear the midnight voices,
Don't you mourn them now!
Don't betray your hope, and say goodbye to her -
Your Alexandria. 

credits

from Alexandria - full album 1998, released February 4, 2021
Lyrics, Melodies, Chords: Louisa John-Krol, Mark Krol
Cello line composed by Mark Krol, played by Louisa on Midi, programmed by Harry Williamson
Vocals: Louisa John-Krol
Keyboard Midi (Piano, Harp arpeggios, Xylophone): Louisa John-Krol
Background Orchestral Midi Chords: Louisa John-Krol, programmed & embellished by Harry Williamson
Additional Strings & Horns / Synths: Harry Williamson
Timpani, Ship Bells, Ocean sample: Harry Williamson
Arrangement: Louisa John-Krol, Mark Krol, Harry Williamson (soundscaping with direction/hummed ideas etc. with a nod to Gorecki, Arvo Part, Faure and other inspirations)
[One of Mark's greatest directions was to remove my acoustic Guitar so as to increase the spaciousness and sense of majesty. To hear how the missing Guitar part sounds, you can catch it in #15 of this digital album, from an acoustic rendition in France - Louisa]
Produced with & engineered by Harry Williamson, Spring Studio.
Photo of a sunset, provided by Jack Setton, symbolising farewell ...
To a city fair and strange.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Louisa John-Krol image

Louisa John-Krol Australia

Louisa is an Australian singer, composer, writer & faery storyteller who has released many albums of ethereal music on indie labels, primarily in France. She's completing a fantasy series, The Elderbrook Chronicles, with a soundtrack.

contact / help

Contact Louisa John-Krol

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Louisa John-Krol recommends:

If you like Louisa John-Krol, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now