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In an uncertain world, perhaps a prayer to the unpredictable is something we can cling to.
I wrote this one in 2015, and it's been a favorite of mine ever since, sharing some characteristics with both my older song, "Carousel" and some of my newer, more jazz-influenced stuff. For whatever reason, a bunch of my encounters with the divine have involved a Trickster deity about half the time. That's a thing which might terrify some people, and I understand. Like the song says, I know they'll be as gentle as they can.
Lyrics:
Jokers wild, cloudy skies,
lights go down, new sunrise,
temple burns, mothers weep.
Trickster, guard my fitful sleep.
Aces high, spirits low,
always on with the show.
Rules to break, vows to keep.
Trickster, guard my fitful sleep.
"Poker Face", Suckerpunch,
"Amazing Grace", Naked Lunch,
Battlestar, Quantum Leap;
Trickster, guard my fitful sleep.
Spider song, rabbit silk,
jackal purr, raven's milk;
fairy tales softly creep.
Trickster, guard my fitful sleep.
I know you've been
as gentle as you can
in sleeping or in waking.
I keep my courage
very close at hand
and pretend I am
unbreakable.
Heavy crown, thistledown,
wicked smile, silly frown.
Love's embrace, no mistake.
Trickster, guide me when I wake.
Cuddle tight. Kill the light.
Bring the love and not the fight.
Morning coffee, evening tears;
Trickster, please stay right here.
Oh, I know you'll be
as gentle as you can.
I'll be at my bravest,
stick to the road,
follow all the plan,
no matter how
it changes.
credits
released June 5, 2020
Music, lyrics, arrangement, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass, vocals, mix, and produced by S. J. Tucker at The PixieHouse, Camp Timberlake, Arkansas. Cello by Betsy Tinney, Wild Pine Studio by the meadow, Redmond, Washington.
Mastered by Ben Deschamps, Amphis Music, Hamilton, ON.
Cover photo by Ryan Loyd & design/layout by S. J. Tucker.
Thanks to Sherry Kirk for the gift of the (ethically collected & prepared) coyote skull many years ago, and thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for helping me choose this tune for June 2020 release.