Whoo! Just in under the wire. Written and recorded in an hour and a half and it turned out WAY better than I expected it to. Also, how tf did a thirteen syllable couplet Tolkien thing come out of a hail mary? I know, and I ain't tellin'.
Some explanation, because I think this story is interesting. "Vangeline" is from Greek, meaning "good news." It's where we get the word "evangelical." Our character is suspicious of his charge as he leads her through the woods, but what's really going on is he is already dead. He's in a private hell (as described in the tune). It's a loop. She, his charge, is actually the one holding the keys to his peace (she's the arbiter of the 'good news' that he needs to cross over). She's the one that can bring him to Heaven, glory, Valhalla, wtf ever, hence her knowing expression(s) throughout the tune. Until dude comes to peace with whatever he needs to come to peace with she can't be the doorway to the better place he's destined to be in; and thus he remains stuck in this loop, fading away every morning only to be met with being her escort the next night again and again and having no memory of it...or maybe he does. Hell if I know. This one of of those lyrics that had a life of its own. I started talking some shit and the story just told itself. Maybe that's why I like it so much.
lyrics
Traveling a lonely road I met a trickster there
Moonlight shone between the trees and shimmered in her hair
Flaxen gleam and soft moonbeams did quell the fear inside
'Scuse me sir, I've lost my way, much obliged for a ride
Saddled up and rode a'way's keepin' much to ourselves
She piped up 'bout a quarter two with tales she would tell
Spun a yarn 'bout gods and men and their own private hells
With a wave and stormy gaze a chilly silence fell
Where are you going, my dear Vangeline
Where do you wanna go
I'll take you there, but dear Vangeline
Is there something I should know
Moments passed but at long last came a powerful thirst
Mentioned to my charge a well where last we'd conversed
She flashed a smile and turned about to head the other way
Worried that she'd balk about, if she did she didn't say
Watered there and in her hair flashed a time from before
Saw in her a memory of light and open doors
Brought it up, smiles fell away her coldness did disarm
You'll find out dear, soon enough, ain't no cause for alarm
Where are you going, my dear Vangeline
Where do you wanna go
I'll take you there, but dear Vangeline
Is there something I should know
Witching hours came and past we rode for morning light
Midnight black gave way to blue ending oceans of night
Asked her 'bout that strange story 'bout men and private hells
There's that smile as I fade away to church's morning bells
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