I had a friend who always teased me about having one foot in fantasyland. When he died, I wrote a song called "Fantasia," named for the world of imagination ruled by the Childlike Empress in "The Neverending Story."
Recording it was intense, profound. Isolated from the world with just his song--it was like floating in the last small place the Nothing left unclaimed. Holding on to the words, to the wishes. The only things that proved it had all been real.
lyrics
Make a wish
Take your time
Give any name to what you find
Come to me
My loving unbeliever
I was never superstitious
But if I had the choice
I'd call the court magicians
To show you in the mirror
To speak in your own voice
Make a wish
Take your time
Give any name to what you find
Stay and see
What wakes before the dreamer
All worlds have their beginnings
Some stories have no end
Some stars will tear the velvet sky
To fall into the ocean
And still some songs may mend
And all we have cradled
And all we have crushed
And all we have loved into diamonds or dust
It is here in the void on these pages
The last grain of sand in Fantasia
Make a wish
Take your time
Give any name to what you find
Come to me
My loving unbeliever
credits
from Courage, Dear Heart,
released November 3, 2023
Summer Russell - lead vocals, guitar
Betsy Tinney - cello
I could listen to Lauren sing forever. Her writing is vivid and sensitive, sweetly and painfully human--never apologizing for sharp corners and rough edges. The beauty of her spirit shines through. Summer Russell
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