Undressed Fancies – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards

Inspired by William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch. Re-imagined in what I think it might sound like as a folk song that paints Burroughs and his words as some heroic tale.

(Verse 1)

In the shadows of the Tangiers moon,

Where the Burroughs’ words do swoon,

A tale unfolds in a twisted dance,

Naked Lunch, a wild romance.

(Chorus)

Oh, the In-between, where shadows creep,

A folk tale from the junkie’s sleep,

In the Burroughs’ prose, the secrets lie,

A symphony of chaos, beneath the sky.

(Verse 2)

On the streets of the city, the junkies roam,

Searching for a fix, a place to call home,

The typewriter clicks, a rhythm so strange,

In Naked Lunch, the characters change.

(Chorus)

Oh, the In-between, where shadows creep,

A folk tale from the junkie’s sleep,

In the Burroughs’ prose, the secrets lie,

A symphony of chaos, beneath the sky.

(Bridge)

Cut-up words, a mosaic of dreams,

In the Burroughs’ world, nothing’s as it seems,

Tangled minds in a junkyard of thought,

A folk music ballad, twisted and fraught.

(Verse 3)

In the mugwump haze, where nightmares breed,

A folkloric tale of the desperate need,

To escape the routines, the routines of the mind,

Naked Lunch, a journey unkind.

(Chorus)

Oh, the In-between, where shadows creep,

A folk tale from the junkie’s sleep,

In the Burroughs’ prose, the secrets lie,

A symphony of chaos, beneath the sky.

(Outro)

As the typewriter rests, the story untold,

Naked Lunch, a folkloric fold,

In the echoes of Tangiers, the melody fades,

A ballad inspired by Burroughs’ cascading shades.

Artist Statement: 

“Undressed Fancies” is a folk song inspired by William S. Burroughs’ seminal work, “Naked Lunch.” The lyrics weave a narrative that captures the essence of Burroughs’ writing style and the themes prevalent in his work, particularly the chaotic and surreal nature of the human experience, as depicted in “Naked Lunch.”

Melody and Harmony:

The melody can be characterized by a reverent yet haunting quality, reflective of the dark and twisted themes explored in Burroughs’ literature. It may be structured around traditional folk chord progressions, possibly with minor chords to evoke a sense of mystery and unease. The harmony would likely be simple yet effective in conveying the emotional depth of the lyrics.

Rhythm and Meter:

Given the folk genre, the song likely follows a steady rhythm, possibly in a 4/4 time signature, allowing for easy storytelling and singability. The verses may feature a moderate tempo, mimicking the pace of a wandering soul, while the chorus could introduce a slightly faster tempo to emphasize the urgency and chaos inherent in Burroughs’ prose.

Lyrics and Theme:

The lyrics are an exaggerated symbol of heroism, drawing directly from the themes and imagery found in “Naked Lunch.” References to Tangiers, junkies, and the typewriter serve to transport the listener into a Dadaist world of addiction, despair, and surrealism. The repeated chorus acts as a refrain, reinforcing the central idea of the song – the exploration of the liminal space between reality and hallucination.

Structure:

The song follows a traditional folk song structure, with multiple verses interspersed with a recurring chorus. This structure allows for the gradual unfolding of the narrative, mirroring the episodic nature of Burroughs’ writing. The bridge serves as a departure from the main narrative, delving deeper into the surrealism and fragmentation of Burroughs’ literary technique, before returning to the familiar refrain of the chorus.

Instrumentation and Arrangement:

Instrumentation for “Undressed Fancies” would likely include acoustic guitars, possibly with fingerpicking patterns to evoke a sense of intimacy and introspection. Other folk instruments such as a harmonica or violin could be used to add texture and depth to the arrangement. The overall production may be kept relatively minimalistic, allowing the focus to remain on the storytelling aspect of the song. However, there could be additional sounds to enrich the composition, as if it were being sung around a carnival ground campfire after a hard day’s work, with the carnies adding various portable stings, squeezebox, and flutes. It builds a tension between the indoor-isolation of the lyrics imagery and the folk-stylings of outdoor music.