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The One On The Black Horse

from No Time To Be Tender by Ian Fitzgerald

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lyrics

The afternoon arrows, the sanctified sermons both cut through the dust on Main Street
But neither's a match for the passionless, passing-less, oh-God-please-bring-the-rain heat
There's a man here who's sure he's a conquistador but his horse doesn't look quite convinced
The one on the black horse rode straight to the source and nobody's questioned him since
Angela's gown had grown brown at the hem from too much chasing down 'round the fire
It wasn't her wedding day, anyway she'd just made three wishes worth of desire
If horses were beggars, we'd wish they were wordless then ride them right into the valley
The one on the black horse grows lines on his face like lines carved in the wall to keep tally
Oh, oh
There were flowers on the floor

The conquistador drew his sword from its sheath where another man might hold a gun
It's more just for show or at least so we know that he's gentle but bows to no one
Wrapped 'round its handle, a blue field of stars from a flag that he watched them retire
The one on the black horse knows light shines for years after stars have extinguished their fire
The clock tower ticks like the morning doves flapping their wings in the dirt but not flying
Angela's gown had grown grey like the shade of their feathers from measuring time
You can follow the wind and not get home again; their are gusts that you can't trust or trace
The one on the black horse trusts neither the breeze at his back nor the sun on his face
Oh, oh
There were flowers on the floor

The conquistador tossed his hat on the floor by the mantel where Angela stood
Behind it, he entered and offered to cleanse her as only the pure-at-heart could
Wrapped 'round her wrist was a rose in the place of a bracelet that slipped from her arm
Just as she stood at the mantel pretending the ashes were keeping her warm
The conquistador pulled his sword from his side and dissected from elbow to wrist
And holding her close as he possibly could, painted red lines on Angela's dress
"Oh my dear, you are saved," as his blue banner waved and his sight like the night sky grew dark
"Will you visit my grave? Will you whisper my name?" "No. In fact, I'll make sure it's unmarked"
The conquistador would have died in her arms if she'd held him for one moment more
Instead he collapsed and gasped last on his back by his hat in the ash on the floor
The the sanctified sermons, afternoon arrows can't cut through whatever is left
The one on the black horse rides into the sunset away from his moment of rest
Oh, oh
There were flowers on the floor

credits

from No Time To Be Tender, released February 26, 2013

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Ian Fitzgerald Providence, Rhode Island

Though perhaps technically a singer-songwriter, Ian Fitzgerald prefers the term 'folk singer,' as it more accurately describes the tradition in which his music is rooted. From early twentieth century field recordings through Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and hundreds of artists in between, Ian has been influenced by one of the sturdiest strains of American music. ... more

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