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Just Beyond

by Mich Sampson

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Mich's first solo album (2006), with beautiful, evocative artwork by Anke Teschke. Full lyrics provided.
    Recorded and engineered by Club GK.
    Guest musicians: Marilisa Valtazanou, Talis Kimberley, Rachel Shurmer, Simon Fairbourn, Martin Gordon-Kerr, Tim Walker, Janet Bolton.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Just Beyond via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Just Beyond 06:01
I remember, as a child, Looking out my window and seeing how the trees made funny shapes against the stars, And wond'ring what they felt, as they brushed their branches against the moon and struggled in the breeze. It's not so different now. At my desk, Monday morning, close my eyes - Remember how I felt one cold spring night, When I gazed up into the sky, and thought there might be... Be G-d, Be aliens, Be a world of dreams, Be my own imagination? I didn't care. I thought there was something there; Just beyond the moon, Just beyond my hand... Maybe. It's hard to believe, when you're dealing with the little things and all of life's mundanities. I take the time to hope; Read history and fairy tales, read the scientific news. For just beyond the moon, Just beyond my hand, Maybe there's something that I don't understand... Be G-d, Be aliens, Be a world of stories, Be my own imagination? I don't care. Please let there be something there; Just beyond the moon, Just beyond my hand... Maybe. Some people think we're strange - that we've got our heads above the clouds and never fall to earth. But that's how we keep sane! If we can hold on to the faith or hope that there is something more. For just beyond the moon, Just beyond our hands, Maybe there's something that we don't understand! Be G-d, Be aliens, Be a world of spirit, Be our own imaginations? Let them stare. We pray there is something there; Just beyond the moon, Just beyond our hands.. Maybe.
2.
The Hunter 04:06
She stood at the platform; her train had rushed by, She was weary from duty, and too tired to cry, When a dark and dank steam train drew up by her side, She didn't think twice but jumped on for the ride. Well, she may be the Hunter; tonight she's the prey, Her carelessness cost her on that fateful day, They were watching her closely as she fought to her seat. They smiled, "there's the girl that we wanted to meet..." She looked up in horror - she felt their cold stare And finally noticed the crowd standing there She knew all their faces, excuses and pleas Their visage like shadow, their touch light as breeze. . . Well, she may be the Hunter, tonight she's the prey Though once she pursued them, right now she's afraid They cluster around her like moths to a flame And stroke her, smile at her - - Run away! Run away! She jumped to her feet - but they spoke in tones clear "Child, we're not here to hurt you, sha'n't harm you, my dear. We wanted to help you - you won't let yourself see You're dead, child, and we know how hard that must be." "Well, I may be the Hunter, tonight I'm the prey. They tell me these LIES and I can't get away! They cluster around me - they want me to pay! And grasp me, clasp at me - oh! Run away! Run away!"
3.
Sholem 02:59
Volt ikh gehat koyekh, Volt ikh gelofn in di gasn, Volt ikh geshrign "Sholem!" "Sholem, sholem, sholem!"
4.
Now and Here 04:17
The dusty scent of stone, Ruined walls rise up before me, A banner, crimson red, billows in the dawn. Bronze statues stand guard. Stare empty-eyed at me. I watch the tapestries play out deeds of old. Somehow it makes me feel like I was there, Walking through the halls as candles flare, Somehow it makes me feel that time is near And when they ask me where or when, I'll say, Now and here. His curls hide the scars Earned on his journey; he's battled Across the angry seas for his Lady Fair. She holds out her hand, He presses it to his lips, Smells the faraway scent of violet in her hair... Somehow it makes me feel like I was there, Holding out my hand, trying not to fear, Somehow it makes me smile though others scowl, And when they ask me when or where, I'll say, Here and now! So if you feel alone - The world has been unkind, Or maybe you need to know how special you are! Return to that place, Your castle with its dark and angry stones Away from all your cares! Doesn't it make you feel like you were there? Running through the halls as candles flare! Doesn't it make you feel that time is near And when they ask you where or when, Just say, now and here!
5.
Torch to You 03:56
I did everything I could, Crushed all of my ambition And you say that's not enough. Bound'ries of me were trails of dust Swept up in your clever words - I became an echo of your heart. No matter what I did, No matter how I tried, I was no match for you, my caro, my dearest, I couldn't hold a torch, I couldn't hold a torch To you. All of my plans involved us both, What we'd be doing When we had our time to share and no one else could interfere. None of your plans had me in mind - you'd watch me cry As I tried to reconcile myself to all the echelons you'd climb. No matter what I felt, Now matter how I cried, I tried not to burden you with the fear I hid inside. I couldn't hold a torch, I couldn't hold a torch To you. Now all of my time is my own, I spend it wisely With the people that I love, and with the music that I write. I found my own path through the stars, I'd hidden it Behind the need to feel at peace with you, the strange desire to please - And now I follow my own heart, I hope that you won't mind If I choose to let out all the doubts I nurtured deep inside, For I will not hold a torch, I will not hold a torch For you.
6.
Always on her feet, She's got her lord in mind, And there's always servants to instruct - and she mustn't slip behind On all the weaving, cooking and cleaning that occupies her day, And if she finds her hands are idle, she'll get her harp and start to play. And she dreads That moment of silence - that's when it comes, All those hopes and fears that she's spent so long pushing aside, and maybe She's allowed this one moment of weakness As long as she don't tell them that when she stops, she cries. And the war goes on outside the walls, she tends the injured in her halls, And sends the kitchen scraps out to the poor. And she don't sleep much, For she'd miss too much. (But the midnight watch is quiet, so she wonders what it's for) And when the war is over And her lord returns to home. She'll pick up love where she left off, and won't let her thoughts turn to that Poor serving boy who held her close that night - She won't allow herself to think that what she did was right.
7.
On a lonely day in winter, My son led my to the sea, And I watched him playing in the waves, Cold comfort to me. Every day he asks of his father, the captain bold and true, And I blink the salt spray from my eyes As the mem'ry chills me through. For the honour of his father and the breaking of my heart, For a love that went unspoken, I was forced to do my part, No, he does not know of his son, so he's safe from scandal's touch. He'll never know why I left... I loved him too much. There were rules we could not transgress; It was safer not to feel. So we never mentioned our love, just in case that made it real. But one night the storm broke upon us, Harshly flung the ship above the waves. As the crew prayed for salvation, my saviour kissed my tears away. For the honour of his father and the breaking of my heart, For a love that went unspoken, I was forced to do my part, No, he does not know of his son, so he's safe from scandal's touch. He'll never know why I left... I loved him too much. And the low sun brings tears to my eyes, so I think I see him there, Playing with our son upon the shore as if neither had a care. And I gasp, as soon I realise that what I see is not a dream And the man that walks towards me now speaks soft and close to me... And he said, "For the honour of his father? Did you think my heart so cold? When you left, I thought you angry, and that loss has turned me old. I've searched the ocean for you, for we're safe from scandal's touch; I left the fleet for you, dear, for I loved you far too much. I left the fleet for you, dear... I loved you too much."
8.
(Antigone:) Waiting in darkness and stone, Betrayed, friendless, trapped and alone. Only I dared to honour the gods, Stood against the law, Spoke against the throne. And now I know that death is near, Lover outside my prison, My father cursed, my brother slain, Yet in me you'll find no shame. I tried my best, I did what's right. Now I will haunt my captor. I never shied from any fight, Furies will hunt him down! Whispers in the night, Telling you we're near. (Iphigenia:) Waiting in fine silk and gold, Weary from travel, hungry and cold, They told me I will marry today, But who the lucky man is? My father won't say. I hear the drum, the ritual cry, I'm seized as soldiers stare - I'm Killed for a charm against the winds. As they pray they'll be spared. He lied to me, my mother too, Now I will haunt my killer: He cannot run, he cannot hide, I will walk by his side... Whispers in the night (Can you hear me?) Telling you we're near... (Clytemnestra:) Waiting, I've found out his lies! He comes to my doorstep, Lover at his side. Wanting a war, he stole my daughter's life; He'll pay the price for betraying his wife! And now I know my son is near. Anger guides his sword, he Thinks that his father did no wrong - If he could hear my song! The whore is buried with her man, Orestes plans revenge but Should he succeed (I know he can) Furies will hunt him down! Whispers in the night (Can you hear me?) Telling you We're near.
9.
Lullaby 03:49
10.
Don't think I can't see you behind the oak tree, Making leaves rustle as you spy on me, You followed the sound of the flute from your home, Stumbled upon my small circle of stone. Come out child, and join in the dance, Step into the circle and see what you're missing, Just take my hand, and I'll show you the way, A one, and a two, and you're with us to stay. Dance, child, let your feelings run free, Hear the call of the forests and sea, Our footsteps will paint the leaves with colour, But you'll never know til you dance with me. I see you've read all the stories: "Beware of the fairies, their roundels and songs!" Your kind always feared those who celebrate living, Spend their days dreaming and doing no wrong. Come out child, and join in the dance, Step into the circle, come see what you're missing, Just take my hand, and I'll show you the way, A one, and a two, and you're with us to stay. Dance, child, let your feelings run free, Hear the call of the forests and sea, Our footsteps will paint the leaves with colour, But you'll never know til you dance with me. Trust me, you'll see you won't want to return To this pitiful world where dreams crackle and burn. The snowflake that vanished in the palm of your hand Drifts on through the dusk of Arcadian lands. Just take a step, that's it, just take a step... Yes, child, let your spirit run free, Hear the call of the forests and sea, Our footsteps will touch the sky with moonlight But you'll never know til you dance - Don't say that you've got to go! There's so much that you do not know! Child, you're making a big mistake, Come back and play! Come back and play! ...Never wanted you to join our dance anyway!

about

Mich's early solo album of filk and fantastical music. (You can hear some sneaky bits of Marilisa in the backing vocals!)

credits

released February 9, 2006

Recorded by Club GK.
Artwork by Anke Teschke

Guest musicians: Rachel Georgeson, Simon Fairbourn, Martin Gordon-Kerr, Talis Kimberley, Janet Bolton, Tim Walker, Marilisa Valtazanou.

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Playing Rapunzel Ilford, UK

Playing Rapunzel (Mich Sampson and Marilisa Valtazanou) are an energetic folk duo who share, in powerful harmony, songs of story and myth.

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