Lyrics of „Born in Chains“, as far as I can make them out

[mnkyface]

Pursued by the armies of a cruel and dark regime [Sharon sings “waters,” but based on the line as quoted by Leonard in an interview, and the sense of the line, we think it’s “armies]
Sue

What if it's "warriors"?

[scocoh]

Pursued by the armies of a cruel and dark regime [Sharon sings “waters,” but based on the line as quoted by Leonard in an interview, and the sense of the line, we think it’s “armies]
Sue

What if it's "warriors"?

That definitely would fit. But to me it sounds exactly like her next "waters".

[scocoh]

.
.

Sue, thanks very much for putting it all together each time.


The Charley part is bugging me. Bear with me from this point on because I am sort of thinking out loud and hoping to spark something in someone.

[CHARLEY]
I was lost on the road, your love was so confusing
And all the teachers told me that I had myself to blame
But in the arms?? stands?? the?? illusion
The sweet unknowing unifies the name

I am convinced it's "alone on the road". Listen to her 'o' in 'road" and it's the same as in the first word--"alone".

I *think* the last line is "And sweet unknowing unifie[d][s] the name." (not sure if 's' or 'd'.)

I also think you are correct, Sue, in saying the last word in the 3rd line is "illusion". It seems to me it has to be either solution or illusion. There aren't many words with that "oo-zhun" sound. (But is it more a "oo-shun" as in solution?)

I'm also leaning toward mnky's "arms" instead of hour, but I can't convince my ears to go all the way!

Let's look at the pattern, then:

(essentially):
1- alone, confused.
2- Everyone said it was my fault
3-But the problem wasn't me -- or--- the problem was _____
4-God showed me the answer (or shows the answer)

So...#3 is a connecting verse of 2 & 4., i.e., where/how he was wrong. So the word "illusion" fits there.

It really sounds like "But in the arms stands the illusion". So maybe try taking out the word "arms" and see if anything else will make sense? Also try taking out everything except "But" and "illusion". Because---Would a (beautiful) English girl sing "the" as "thuh" or "thee"???

[scocoh]

This is fun scohoh - and thanks to all as we keep solving away.

Scohoh - I think it is all three women singing at the beginning, shortly after Sharon starts singing her verse (so beautiful!). Just brilliant arrangement! It is not easy to hear and at first I actually thought there was a change from 4/4 rhythm to 2/4 rhythm - when Sharon started singing - because of a quickening feeling. She establishes a rhythm beautifully. And there are parts being sung in the "in the spaces" by Charley and Hattie!! Maybe I am saying this backwards - but - something like that!

Also, I can't help thinking about another of Leonard's "new songs" - "The Darkness" - and the lyrics (not verified yet, but sorted out as best we know) -
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16675&p=234653&hili ... ss#p234653

Caught the darkness, baby
Drinking from your cup
I caught the darkness, baby
From your little ruby cup
I said, ‘Is this contagious?’
You said, ‘Just drink it up.

Reference there to "the cup" and "the darkness." A ruby cup. (In "Born In Chains" it is an amber cup.)

BUT in "Born In Chains" - "the darkness" has changed - is enlightened?
And if we are correct - whereas before - the liquid was "contagious"
- NOW it sweetens - "As the bitter liquor sweetens in the amber cup"
And - as Sue has added - at the end - the part sung by Sharon, Charley and Hattie -

Just darkness now to lift the spirit up

Anyway - back to the task -
We need Sue to do one of her clean-ups again to incorporate new input?

Oh - and I pray - please dear Leonard. Sing this beautiful song again.
(Not to mention again, and again.)

Ooh good stuff Sturgess. The cup and "Darkness" connection has me intrigued. Have to think on it. And I enjoy your comments about the music, but personally I am musically illiterate. I know there is such a thing as 2/4 and 4/4 but i couldn't identify them. I am pretty much stuck at the "oh cool! Listen to the way they do THIS!" stage. I had a music teacher in college who actually thought I was faking it-- I was so bad at identifying chords and notes etc.

[mnkyface]

Pursued by the armies of a cruel and dark regime [Sharon sings “waters,” but based on the line as quoted by Leonard in an interview, and the sense of the line, we think it’s “armies]
Sue

What if it's "warriors"?

That definitely would fit. But to me it sounds exactly like her next "waters".

yeah, I wrote that just thinking about the armies/regime aspect , without listening again. It is definitely "waters."

[tomsakic]

I recall "waters" both in Zagreb s/c and Salzburg show.

I uploaded Salzburg's Feels So Good to YouTube, and I have half of Born in Chains. As Maarten's vieo is much better and complete I didn't think to upload my video, but I could do it if it would help with the transcript of the lyrics. We also have mp3 of the show, in beatiful sound quality, so that will help also.

[Diane]

just seen/heard this - interesting new song, Born in Chains. Thanks!

[Hartmut]

I still suspect that
"Pursued by the waters of a dark and cruel regime"
is a mistake of Sharon's.

Some time ago Leonard quoted this line in an interview, and it was:
"Pursued by the armies of a dark and cruel regime"
– which makes more sense.

We have to wait for a recording of another concert to see if that suspicion is true ...

In Sligo, the line went:
"Pursued by the riders of a dark and cruel regime"

Jarkko told me that Leonard is still changing around the lyrics of this song. - So maybe we should not get too hung up on details like that ...

Anyway, I like "riders" much better than "waters".

[gijs]

made a start for the guitarchords of this wonderfull song: (miss one or two)

G bm em em
G bm em D
C E am F C Edim D

B em ( 2x)
C C7(?) G em (Bflat???) D

greetings Gijs

[Hartmut]

made a start for the guitarchords of this wonderfull song

Sounds good.

[sue7]

Using Al Noonan's incredible video of last night's concert at Lissadell, here is the version that they played on July 31, as far as I can make it out.
The video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f37lh9L ... playnext=2
Charley's third line is crystal clear, but the cup is no longer amber, if it ever was. I can't figure that word out, though.

edited on August 2, with brightnow's correction


[LEONARD] [SPOKEN]
I was born in chains but I was taken out of Egypt
I was bound to a burden, but the burden it was raised
Oh Lord I can no longer keep this secret
Blessed is the name, the name be praised.

[SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
I was born …

[LEONARD]
I was born in chains but I was taken out of Egypt
I was bound to a burden, but the burden it was raised
Oh Lord I can no longer keep this secret
Blessed is the name, the name be praised.

[SHARON]
I fled to the edge of a mighty sea of sorrow
Pursued by the riders of a cruel and dark regime
But the waters parted and my soul crossed over
Out of Egypt, out of Pharaoh's dream.

[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words and the measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, cannot read the rest

[HATTIE]
I was idled with my soul, when I heard that you could use me
I followed very closely, but my life remained the same
But then you showed me where you had been wounded
In every atom broken is the name

[CHARLEY]
I was alone on the road, your love was so confusing
And all the teachers told me that I had myself to blame
But in the arms of sensual illusion
A sweet unknowing unified the name

[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words, and the measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, I do not know the rest

[LEONARD]
I’ve heard the soul unfold in the chambers of its longing
And the bitter liquor sweeten in the hammered cup
Ah but all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now, to lift the longing up.

[DINO on saxophone, LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
But all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now, to lift the longing up


[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words and measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, I cannot read the rest

[SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Cannot read the rest

[astranger]

this gets better and better. what a great version from Sligo. The lyrics sound like they were pulled from Book of Mercy

[sturgess66]

Thanks Sue. Gorgeous song. And simply gorgeous and brilliant arrangements.

Regarding that cup - I'm thinking it is still amber?

I think I hear "amber" still.

[Mollydog]

I've played it over and over and can't make it out. It sounds like it starts with "ha".

[sue7]

Yes, I also think it sounds as though it begins with "ha," but then I hear part of the "amber," perhaps just the "ber" part?