Souls Ascend – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards

Inspired by The Icicle Works’ Birds Fly. Reimagined what it might sound like as if being done by Tom Waits.

In the dim-lit kingdom where the shadows dance,

Where the neon flickers, and the street lamps prance,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme,

In the alley’s hush, from a whisper to a scream.

Beneath the fractured moon, where secrets teem,

A raven’s croon, a lonesome dream,

Through the urban sprawl and the city’s steam,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme.

Creaky hinges sing on the tavern’s door,

The whiskey’s warmth on the cold, stone floor,

In the murky corners, where the outcasts scheme,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme.

A harmonica wails with a rusty sigh,

In the flickering candlelight, where the desperados lie,

Tales of heartache, like a smoke-filled stream,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme.

A tomcat’s whisper in the alley’s gloom,

A troubadour’s lullaby, a vagabond’s tune,

Through the labyrinth streets, where shadows beam,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme.

In the echoes of the city, where the misfits glean,

From a murmur soft to a banshee’s scream,

Feathered souls ascend in the night’s dark scheme,

In this urban tapestry, a nocturnal dream.

Artist Statement:

Musical Elements:

Rhythmic Structure:The song adopts a slow to mid-tempo rhythm, evoking a sense of contemplation. The tempo serves to create a brooding atmosphere, fitting for the urban landscape described in the lyrics.

Instrumentation: Traditional blues and folk instruments dominate the arrangement. A harmonica features prominently, adding a mournful quality to the piece. The use of acoustic guitar and possibly piano provides a foundation for the narrative, while the occasional inclusion of atmospheric sounds like creaky hinges and whispers enhances the ambiance of the song.

Melodic Composition: The melody follows a blues-infused structure, characterized by repetitive phrasing and expressive ornamentation. It meanders through minor scales, capturing the essence of longing and solitude. Waits’ gravelly voice adds depth to the lyrics, infusing them with a raw emotional intensity.

Harmonic Progressions: The harmony is rooted in traditional blues progressions, featuring minor chords and modal inflections. These chord progressions contribute to the haunting quality of the music, reinforcing the themes of urban decay and existential contemplation.

Lyrical Analysis: The lyrics paint a vivid portrait of urban life, where despair and beauty intertwine amidst the shadows and flickering lights. Imagery of “feathered souls ascend” suggests a transcendental longing, as individuals seek solace and redemption in the midst of chaos. The juxtaposition of light and darkness, whispers and screams, reflects the complexity of human experience within the cityscape.

Emotional Impact:“Souls Ascend” elicits a profound emotional response, invoking feelings of nostalgia, yearning, and introspection. The song’s somber tone and evocative imagery invite listeners to contemplate the fragile beauty and inherent tragedy of existence.

Stylistic Influences: Drawing inspiration from The Icicle Works’ “Birds Fly,” Tom Waits infuses his distinctive style into the song, imbuing it with a gritty, noir sensibility. The fusion of folk, blues, and cinematic elements creates a unique sonic tapestry that captures the essence of urban life in all its complexity.