Myself a Living Torch in 1992; 2020 remix of track from 1992 EP Citizen Self
"Back what seems a long time ago, a band of beautiful, insanely talented guys from Midwest America moved to the San Francisco Bay in 1988 with the idea of making music that would speak to the wild and hopeful hearts of people everywhere.
From their almost-buried treasure trove of gorgeously tortured songs, one in particular speaks to our Universal Tribe working together to overcome the immediate corona virus pandemic — and the challenges we face building a fair and just future together.
We hope you will be inspired by this song — Mermaid of Marin — which today is dedicated to Greta Thunberg and all the mermaids and mermen who will lead us into the light with courage, wisdom and love."
Clair Young Bright
26 March 2020
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10 PM from the headlands, you get the view
Breaking dawn on Black Sand Beach, you feel the naked truth
Looking for the future, wading toward Japan
Vanishing between the cresting swells, she says,
"Give me back what's mine"
Mermaid of Marin, you're the burning bridge at the back of my mind
Mermaid of Marin, in the swallowing, swallowtail tide
Signatures on seashells, souvenirs for shore
Entangled in economy, she swims until she's sore
Then up against the future, I reached out for her hand
She declined. She says,
"Give me back what's mine"
Mermaid of Marin, you're the burning bridge at the back of my mind
Mermaid of Marin, in the swallowing, swallowtail tide
Mermaid, mermaid...
Whispering, "Give me back what's mine"
Whispering, "Give me back what's mine"
You're the burning bridge at the back of my mind
Mermaid of Marin, in the swallowing, swallowtail tide
In the tide…
In the tide…
Whispering, "Give me back what's mine"
From the headlands, you get the view
From the headlands, you get the view
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voice, guitar – Jeffrey Bright
guitar, keyboard – Eric Schulz (aka Harlan T Bobo)
string bass – Chris Green
drums – Christopher Fisher
pedal steel – Steve Cornell
words & music – Bright
© 1992 Myself a Living Torch
Fugitive Music Publishing / BMI
cover art:
Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elisabeth_Jerichau_Baumann_havfruen.jpg
adapted by jeffrey bright
