I often try to put myself in a character’s shoes when I’m writing songs, so here’s another perspective song. It features a duet between two villains who seem to be victims of their own circumstances — Medusa and Grendel’s Mother. Is it any wonder why they rail against Fate?
- Gorgon:
- Alone in gardens of frozen stone
- I sit and pine for my lost hope
- Of fitting in, of finding love
- Cursed by Fate and loved by none
- Save sisters three, who rest nearby
- Save sisters three – alone am I.
- Chorus:
- But I know I can’t fight, and I know I can’t flee
- There’s no prince or hero to rescue me
- From the cruel hand of Fate who put me in this mess.
- Oh Fortuna, you hag, you’re a cruel mistress!
- Grendel’s Mother:
- Alone within a cavern deep
- I sing my dying son to sleep
- And rail and curse against my wyrd
- That a mother may out-live her son
- Without my son, I weep and sigh
- Without my son – alone am I.
- (Chorus)
- Gorgon:
- The day it dawns – I greet it not
- As sunlight shines on man-shape rocks
- In perfect likeness of the men
- Who saw snakes once, then ne’er again
- My sisters watch and rest nearby
- Save sisters three – alone am I.
- (Chorus)
- Grendel’s Mother:
- The day it dawns in murky haze
- I wander ‘round in grief-wrought daze
- Then rage it tears my heart in two
- And now I know what I must do
- I’ll sing a bloody battle cry
- Without my son – alone am I.
- (Chorus)
- Both:
- Footsteps fall through caverns deep
- And bid me wakeful watch to keep
- A hero comes; I know it’s time
- I hold my breath, my Fate to find
- And so I now demand this wish:
- Ready or not, let’s finish this!
- Chorus:
- So I never will run, and I never flee
- I need no prince or hero to rescue me
- If I must be the villain, then I’ll play my part
- And I’ll fight to win, with all of my Art.