The Elder Tree

Here's my new track, 'The Elder Tree', a dark, folk lament. The song's narrative is played out in this beautiful music video created by Layla Holzer where her handmade puppets enact the tragic tale.

Moth Rah - The Elder Tree from Moth Rah on Vimeo.

Puppets, props, direction and editing: Layla Holzer
Filming: Spike Dennis and Layla Holzer

Lyrics:

Let out the ghost from his haunt.
There is a sighing that chills me quite to the bone.
The branches of this tree groan with the weight of his memories.

Oh, the Elder Tree, break it's branches and cleave its heart in two.
Oh, the Elder Tree, there is a spirit that wishes to break free.

It happened long, long ago, before our dreams were old.
Trudging through deep, winter snow: a man who was almost a child.
He'd fathered a babe born cold with a girl who lived near the lake.
She had been forced out from her home but he had not known 'til too late.
His tender love died where she lay. Her breath was cold as ice.
So, with a heart so cold it burned, he vowed her father would pay the price.

Through and through, with an axe kept outside for firewood.
Blood ran thick and steam rose up from the corpse.

With blood that froze to his hands, he ran down to the lake
But the ice there was so thick, though he tried it would not break.
Into the thicket he ran, more pained with every breath.
With the belt tied at his waist in the arms of this tree he'd find rest.

He swung high on that tree that never bore fruit again.
The sap is poison to touch and the wind it rattles her name.
The wind it rattles her name.

Jennifer.

....

This song is from my new Wild Wedding EP which can be pre-ordered from my bandcamp.