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Black Rose & Other Stories

by Bry Hitchcock

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1.
Black Rose 05:10
The curtains rise on a forest, a river, a tune And the Black Rose in chorus, running from the moon She flies through the darkness guided by the song Of a poet by the water with no will to carry on You are my Black Rose, my midnights, my stars And you are golden girl, like sunlight on my heart The poet sees a spirit sent to lead her on her way To the underworld, Hades, where forever she must stay Rose says, “I’m just a woman who wants to fly away somewhere.” But she sees so much more and her song fills the air You are my Black Rose, my midnights, my stars And you are golden girl, like sunlight on my heart I’ve been stranded here for so long, searching for the key To open doors of being and creativity Now here you are before me to sweep away despair With honesty and laughter, and love enough to share The Black Rose, she listens until the spell is done And with her lips she christens the vessel made of song The poet climbs aboard and offers Rose a hand And stepping up to her reward, she claims her with a kiss You are my Black Rose, my midnights, my stars And you are golden girl, like sunlight on my heart The curtains fall, the lights grow dim, the music fads, the end
2.
Galaxy 04:42
When I am holding you it feels so real, it feels so true. Loneliness is so far away, a distant point in time and space. How can I know so soon, this is love? It’s the way my mind is turning, it feels like I’ve been spun like a moon around a planet, a planet round the sun, the sun among the many stars and love has just begun. The stars above are burning bright, shining in your eyes tonight. So take my hand and take this ring. We’ll fly away on love, love’s bright wings. Sometimes it takes years for our eyes to open. Sometimes it takes decades just to see the truth. Sometimes it takes miles to heal a heart that’s broken. It feels like it took forever for me to find you. When I am holding you it feels so real, it feels so true. Loneliness is so far away, a distant point in time and space. And I feel like the moon around a planet, a planet round the sun, the sun among the many stars and love has just begun. How can I know so soon, you’re the one? It’s the way my mind is turning, it feels like I’ve been spun like a constellation moving in a slow dance above. I feel my heart is bursting with galaxy of love.
3.
Gentle Love 03:14
I love thee like the bright moon loves the night which cradles in cool dark her love, the moon For even when the moon can give no light the night still gently holds her love, the moon I love thee like the beaches love the surf which washes 'pon them gently, caressing And even when waves crash against the earth the sands are loving, the surf caressing I love thee like the white clouds love the breeze which blows them here and there across the sky It moves and shapes the clouds with loving ease as two together tumble across the sky I love thee most like a man loves fire light which warms his sleep throughout chill winters night
4.
So here is the princess of Ilium, a troubled girl from a troubled time. Gifted with visions and cursed for what she saw, she hid the horror deep inside. Cassandra dreamed of fire and blood in the streets. She knew her father’s realm was going down. But no one wants to hear the sad, sad truth. The court was glad to send her to the snakes. They chased the prophetess from the castle They sent the prophetess to her knees They made Cassandra bow before Apollo And in his eyes she watched her city die So here is the princess of Ilium, kin to the Amazons, priestess of the sun. She tended the serpents of Apollo and kept her mind and body to herself. When the serpents died and earthquakes shook the halls, she knew the day she’d foreseen was at hand. But terror leaves no time for breath or vindication. She ran to save her mother, her queen. But they chased the prophetess to the temple They brought the prophetess to her knees They raped Cassandra there before Athena And took her from the altar to their king Cassandra could see things that everyone ignored. The soldiers were leading Ilium to war. She showed them the signs, by Apollo she swore, her father was leading her family to war. So here is the princess of Ilium, a slave to the Mycenean king, kin to the Amazons, and priestess of the sun; a victim of Apollo’s ancient pride. Cassandra could see her mother still alive, a servant to the lord of odysseys. So she looked deeply into Agamemnon’s eyes and smiled when she saw that he’d soon die. They chased the prophetess from the castle They sent the prophetess to her knees They made Cassandra bow before Apollo And in his eyes she watched her city die But they chased the prophetess to the temple They brought the prophetess to her knees They raped Cassandra there before Athena And took her from the altar to their king
5.
The Kiss 03:20
I was patiently hoping for a dream to come true and then something happened when I met you The look in your eyes and smile on your face I knew I’d returned to a welcoming place One kiss just isn’t enough A long time I’ve been searching for love and finally I’ve found the peace that I missed You opened my heart with the first kiss Restlessly waiting to be with you again to hear your laughter and see your grin For your warm embraces and the taste of your lips I’ve come a long way, it’s been a lonely trip One kiss just isn’t enough A long time I’ve been searching for love and finally I’ve found the peace that I missed You opened my heart with the first kiss Now I’m anticipating another day of loving you I’m glad I was patient ‘cause my dream’s coming true When I looked in your eyes this morning It made me so happy I just want to sing One kiss just isn’t enough A long time I’ve been searching for love and finally I’ve found the person I missed You opened your heart and gave me the kiss
6.
Darkness 04:40
dark song slowly softly sweetly a dirge of eternity paternity, maternity twist to land on feet claw for air to gasp to breathe, to swim, to live i’m taking on air, i’m rising i’m taking on air, rising taking on air, i’m floating away i’m taking on air, i’m rising nowhere, nowhere laying back in the crosshairs lips embrace the darkness looking for another way show you, yes, i’ll show you darkly, slowly softly, sweetly feel the love inside hold you, i can squeeze you i’m taking on air, rising taking on air, i’m floating away i’m taking on air, i’m rising nowhere, nowhere
7.
Violet 04:26
Hello, darkness, my dearest friend Bringing new wonders again and again Black candles burning, a shadow of light Blow them out one by one and welcome the night Good night, Violet I see the world in your eyes Good night, Violet When you wake I will be by your side Midnight. I can see again Pale, violet eyes casting light on my skin There’s a queen in the darkness and an emerald knight Cry to the songbirds, “Let this dream take flight!” Good night, Violet I see the world in your eyes Good night, Violet When you wake I will be by your side But the wind doesn’t sing when there’s no one at home and the rain doesn’t drum when I’m feeling alone The clouds never part when you don’t have a home And the moon never smiles on a lover alone Goodbye, Darkness, my best friend I know I’ll see you again in the end But now comes the sunrise, bringing new light Glowing in violet eyes, farewell the night Good night, Violet I see the world in your eyes Good night, Violet When you wake I will be by your side I will be here when you rise…
8.
I think I’m going somewhere but I really don’t know why This empty road I’m traveling leads somewhere in the sky The other travelers that I’ve seen were few and far between Not many people like to climb this high This road, it keeps on turning every night and day Just when I think I’ve reached the top my hold slips away Another night and day, my dreams they slip away Each peak of curiosity keeps me climbing to the next I feel compelled to climb until I’ve reached my proper ledge I only wonder why it seems, when I meet another mind, I always feel it’s me who has to walk along the edge I walk along the edge, I walk along the edge This world, it keeps on turning every night and day Just when I think I’m flying high my dreams slip away Another night and day, my dreams they slip away Well you’re going your way and I’m going mine Two travelers on these rocky slopes with separate peaks to climb I only wish to sit beside you for a little while Sharing words of courage and wise saddened smiles And when I think of you I’ll always feel okay And have the strength to keep on climbing for another night and day Another night and day, my dreams they slip away This world it keeps on turning, every night and day Just when I think I’ve found my place, my dream slips away Another night and day, my dreams they slip away
9.
thursday afternoon was the last time i saw you it feels so good when we’re together friday night i went to see a movie but something was missing, it was you i need some happiness in this life i’m hoping i can find it with you maybe we’re three times charmed i’m trusting you to tell me if it’s true you can open up your heart ‘cause i would never do you harm just tell me when you feel the way i do... saturday morning, making a little breakfast something is missing from the room now it’s sunday night, sitting and watching tv the sofa feels empty without you we need some happiness in this life i’m hoping you can find it with me maybe we’re three times charmed i’m trusting you to tell me if it’s true you can open up your heart ‘cause i would never do you harm just tell me when you feel the way i do... that’ll be the day, the day you say you love me i wanna be with you and look into your eyes with love each day… maybe we’re three times charmed i’m trusting you to tell me if it’s true you can open up your heart ‘cause i would never do you harm just tell me when you feel the way i do...
10.
Wishes 04:29
In a time when love and sorrow came crashing to our shores The soldier said to her true love, a day before the war “Though I have chosen you, you’ve yet to give your heart to me. And if I’m not the one for you, just tell me, tell me.” Cause I might die tomorrow Never knowing your love And I might cry tomorrow Living without your love In a time when death and anger came turning on the wheel The soldier stepped onto the field, for there to test her steel To fight for pride and honor and peace under free skies She we went to war without her love and there she gave her life Cause I might die tomorrow Never knowing your love And I might cry tomorrow Living without your love And all she ever wanted was to hear her lover say I'll love you still at the end of the day. And all she ever wanted was time enough for love. But all the wanting in the world will never be enough. In a time when loss and memories came storming to our door The woman dreamed of her true love so often after the war In visions she says she loves her and shelters her from the end She wishes she were with her now, and wishes and wishes again Yeah, she wishes and wishes again She wishes and wishes again Hearing: I might die tomorrow…
11.
Sometimes I know when it’s time to go Sometimes I know when it’s time to stay Sometimes I know what I see is real as I watch it slip away Sometimes I see the clouds in the distance And I can walk the other way Sometimes I walk right into the sun But sometimes the sun doesn’t end the day And I can see and hear it all And I can smell and feel it all And I can taste the sweat on my lip But it’s not me that’s moving at all Sometimes I know when it’s time to run Sometimes I know when it’s time to crawl Sometimes I see those clouds in the distance And I run to catch them all Sometimes my hands are not my own Even to reach up for the sky Sometimes their all I have that’s mine And they hold me when I cry Sometimes I see the clouds in the distance And I can walk the other way Sometimes I walk right into the sun But sometimes the sun doesn’t end the day Sometimes the sun doesn’t end the day Sometimes the sun doesn’t end the day
12.
Ten years ago on a cold, dark night There was somebody killed ‘neath the town hall light Few were on the scene, but they all agreed The one who did the killing looked a lot like me She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me The judge said, “Son, what’s your alibi? If you were somewhere else, then you don’t have to die.” But I spoke not a word though it meant my life For I’d been in the arms of my best friends wife She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me The scaffold was high and eternity near I saw her in the crowd, but she shed not a tear But sometimes late at night when the cold wind moans She visits my grave and cries o’er my bones She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees Nobody knows but me
13.
Spancil Hill 03:26
Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by Me mind being bent on rambling, to Ireland I did fly I stepped on board a vision and followed with me will, til next I came to anchor at the cross near Spancil Hill It being the twenty-third of June, the day before the fair, When Ireland’s sons and daughters in crowds assembled there, The young, the old, the brave and the bold, their duties to fulfill There were jovial conversations at the Fair of Spancil Hill I went to see my neighbors to hear what they might say, The old ones were all dead and gone, the young ones turning gray, I met the tailor Quigley, as bold as ever still, Sure he used to make me britches when I lived near Spancil Hill I paid a flying visit to my first and only love, She’s as fair as any lily, and as gentle as a dove, She threw her arms around me saying, “Johnny, I love you still.” Oh, she is a farmer’s daughter, the flower of Spancil Hill I dreamt I hugged and kissed her as in the days of yore, She said, “Johnny you’re only joking, like so many times before.” But the rooster he crew in the morning, he crew so loud and shrill And I woke in California many miles from Spancil Hill

about

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It had been more than 10 years since I recorded any music, but I always wanted to lay down better recordings of my songs from the 90s and 00s. After a lot of research I decided to go with the recording solution I felt would be easiest to learn and create with, Ableton Live. Mary Spender made an Ableton training video with producer and Ableton virtuoso Rachel K Collier. This course helped me get my bearings and make my first few recordings, get a midi controller set up, and understand the Ableton Live interface. From there, I watched dozens of YouTube videos on various topics.

Over 18 months, I recorded these songs in a makeshift studio set up in our dining nook. An hour or two here and there adds up. Once the recording was done, mixing began. I mixed each of these songs over a hundred times, listening to them on different systems and chasing a sound.

I bugged so many people to listen to beta tracks and provide feedback. I’m grateful to all of them, particularly Steve Sowell. I received invaluable feedback on the Produce Like a Pro forums and Discord. This helped me turn the corner and stop over-producing everything. Acoustic guitars sound lovely on their own, it turns out. :)

As ever, I am thankful for the support and love of my partner and inspiration, my Black Rose, my Mechelle.

I hope you enjoy the album. This is my life’s work. May it bring you feelings.

Bry Hitchcock
Halloween 2022

credits

released October 31, 2022

Black Rose and Other Stories was performed, recorded and mixed by Bryanna Hitchcock with Ableton Live 11.

Mastered at Nu House Studio.

GEAR
Microphones:
Sennheiser e906
Shure SM57

Guitars:
2017 Eastman E20D Acoustic Guitar
1976 Kiso Suzuki J200 Acoustic Guitar
2001 Ovation Applause Acoustic Guitar - Nashville Tuning
1996 Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar
2020 Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster Electric Guitar
2021 ESP LTD EC-1000 Electric Guitar
2021 Ibanez Standard SR400EQM Bass Guitar
1980s Carvin 5-String Bass Guitar
Ernie Ball strings
Fender picks
Ebow Electronic Bow

Studio:
Alienware Aurora R5 PC
Dell 27” monitor
Focusrite Scarlet 4i4
Ableton Live 11
Archetype: Petrucci
Archetype: Henson
Abby Road Plates Reverb
Schepps Omnichannel

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Bry Hitchcock California

Music lover and sometimes creator since the 1980s. I played guitar with Head Circus during the mid 90s in Santa Cruz, CA. I've played in coffee shops, bars, and nightclubs, but never made it into a pro studio. Now recording at home again and back in the groove. ... more

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