Gregorian Chance Album

October 7, 2015 [see lyrics below and headphones recommended]
 
'Tis the creepy season of Halloween chills and, to mark the centennial of its publication, here is my sonic version of Franz Kafka's notorious tale of hapless Gregor Samsa in "Metamorphosis," greatly abbreviated here in my words and music. The narrator (guess who?!:) describes only the earliest moments of Samsa's transformation, and then I spin it in the end with an upbeat twist. Maybe it will pique your curiosity to read the original story, and I encourage you to do so.
 
I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out all in all but, my-oh-my, did this piece ever have a long start-and-stall journey once I set lyrics down all the way back in January. It ed from collab to collab until it became clear the only way it was going to sprout wings and fly (ahem) was as a DIY project. Collaborations are great for revealing the true character (or lack thereof) of people, an eye-opening wake-up call that is indeed the single silver lining otherwise to a good deal of wasted time with a couple of folks. OTOH, it has also been the greatest source of joy collaborating with people whose heads and hearts are both in the right place. All you good souls know how much I respect and ♥ you!
 
Written, arranged, produced by Kathleen Martin, performing on all vocals, Epiphone electric rhythm and Yamaha keyboard for bassoon, clarinet, organ and percussion/effects. Insect sounds found online. Artwork by Kazuhiko Nakamura (aka Almacan) here: http://www.deviantart.com/browse/all/?section=&global=1&q=almacan and please also see original artwork by JT Lindroos at https://kat330.bandcamp.com/track/gregorian-chance
 
Gregorian Chance Lyrics
 
Mother, is that you? Sis, you out there, too? Voice so weird within my head. So very hard to lift up out of bed.
 
My body feels so strange. I think there's been some change, Yet it can't be as it seems. It all must be a dream
 
My boss yells from the hall: "You're late and didn't call!" I crawl across the floor To open up my door.
 
I glimpse my image mirrored. It's just as I had feared Overnight I'd turned in To wretched insect vermin.
 
BRIDGE I scream, but what comes out Is not a human shout. My angry boss still knocks. How will I work the locks?
 
I try to use my mouth To turn the latches south. It's not an easy job, But now I've turned the knob.
 
Shocked in sheer revulsion And recoiling in repulsion, My callers quickly flee From the very sight of me.
 
BRIDGE I fold my wings within my shell To shield me from my nightmare hell. This newest transformation Guarantees me more isolation.
 
And I cannot fall to ruin If cushioned in cocoon. Shall I settle in to rest Safe inside my insect nest?
 
But we're none as we appear, And change is what we fear; And fear that stunts our growth, So I'll bid goodbye to both! (c) October 2015 Kathleen Martin
 
CODA: [from "I'll Fly Away" punctuated by sounds of "La Cucaracha"] Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away. To that land where joy will never end, I'll fly away. I'll fly away. I'll fly away.