Lyrics
So, you want to sing bad karaoke, but to amazing music, huh? Well, I can't say I blame you.
I to like to sing depressing World War II songs in front of a drunk audience.
But I digress, The Clockwork Dolls are known for ornate lyrics, sweeping instrumentals,
and a larger than life sound.
But sometimes with the timpani blasting away at your ear drums, words get lost.
Not sure what you're hearing?
Maybe you need a little help with that one phrase? Did she just say, "Hold the Lime?"
What's going on here!?
Well, we here at The Clockwork Dolls are here to help. Lyrics! All the Lyrics! All yours!
Only not, because they are copywritten. So if you use them, just ask permission, we won't bite.
Dramatis Personae Lyrics
Maiden Voyage
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
High above the weary world
I wait and watch and think of you.
I never thought that life would find me
Laughing with the pale moon.
The patchwork of the land below me
Endless ribbons in the night.
I'll ne'er again be who I was:
A child before my soul took flight.
I stop to think of all I've lost;
The list begins and ends with you.
Don't be afraid of who I am,
This strength is what I've come into.
Fly with me,
Forget the past.
We can build the future
In steel and brass.
Those below
We leave behind.
You really thought I'd be content
A housewife in a gilded cage?
The sea, the sky, it's all the same;
Adventure being what I crave.
I'll never stop, I won't come down!
My passion's here in whirring gears.
This triumph of my female soul
I will not spoil with useless tears.
The deck vibrates beneath my shoes:
The rhythm of my beating heart.
I will not mourn what might have been,
Our story's done before it starts.
Fly with me,
Forget the past.
We can build the future
In steel and brass.
Those below
We leave behind,
Conquering the clouds
As gears unwind.
Blades in Autumn
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
As he turned to go I could tell he was angry
But I would not back down from what I knew to be right.
To ask him to choose between honor and duty;
To aid in my capture or abet in my flight.
He knew of my plans, he knew I was leaving
and it offered him the choice to remain or to fly.
To stay in the place where he knew all the answers
Or to face the unknown in the sky.
He strode 'cross the grounds looking for isolation
Skipping stones on the lake to clear up his mind.
He was lost in the dark and the choice laid before him
And whom to disappoint he could not decide.
It was down by that lake that his father then found him
And they sat in the silence and brooded a while.
At last, he said "Son, I know that she's leaving.
And I know, too, you're thinking of going along.
I remind you a man isn't judged by his orders
But the actions he takes and things he decides."
He looked at his blade as it flashed 'cross the moon
In the moment he knew what his future must be.
No longer lost, he had made his decision.
The freedom of choice had in turn made him free.
(Counterpoint: Fly with me, forget the past. We can build the future
in steel and brass.)
He raised his father's sword and watched it gleam.
The shadows on the moon made shapes
Of everything he'd ever dreamed.
His anger washed away upon the wind
And left behind a sense of peace,
Anticipation to begin.
And when we met again we did not speak.
He simply nodded yes to me.
A day from now we would be free.
Fly, fly with me.
Black Jack Jezebel
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
They called her 'Black Jack Jezebel',
The Mistress of the Game,
And every border town could tell
The story of her fame.
A long, black coat with two quick guns
And endless luck with cards.
Until one game destroyed her run
The blow, it hit her hard.
She lost her cool that fateful night
And bet all on a bust.
She'd put her faith in an oversight:
A man she could not trust
He took her heart and took her crown,
Her reputation lost.
She vowed that night to hunt him down
No matter what the cost.
She booked her passage on a ship
To search throughout the skies.
Her anger spurred her on that trip
To kill him for his lies.
The Dame de Fer saw every town
From Maine to Frisco Bay.
But still she could not hunt him down.
Elusive was her prey.
Until one night in Saskatchewan
She found him in a bar.
"Is that my coin you're drinking on?
This time you won't get far."
She bought him down with at single shot,
She brought him to his knees.
"I'll have you know I can't be bought.
I will do as I please."
He groaned aloud as he hit the floor;
She'd caught him unaware.
"You can't kill me, you dirty whore!
I beat you, fair and square."
She laughed and kicked him in the side
And put away her gun.
"I've searched the world for your dirty hide,
There's nowhere left to run.
"I'll have what's mine, what's due to me!
You'll give me back my pride!
Return my luck and set me free!
I will not let this ride!"
"Your luck's not mine to give or take,
I never stole your pride.
What luck you have is what you make.
It all comes from inside."
He chucked then and breathed a sigh;
He bled out on the floor.
The man she'd chased 'cross every sky
Was, suddenly, no more.
"I curse the day I saw your face
Or every heard your name!
I curse the land, the sky, this place
As witness to my shame!"
That was the last they ever knew
Of Black Jack Jezebel
They couldn't care where she'd gone to
To heaven or to hell.
But windy nights with chilly air
Bring voices on the breeze.
And gambling men most everywhere
Might fall down to their knees.
And pray a shadow does not come
To play with them at cards.
For Black Jack Jezie's brand of fun
Puts them all on guard.
If she wins, or so they tell,
She'll only take your purse
But if you beat that dark-eyed gel
Your life's forever cursed.
No Guns Allowed In My Bar
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
Announcer: Ladies and Gents settle down, settle down. Settle down back there, pay attention, I tell you! You, in the back: shut your yap!
The Cabaret D’Infernal proudly presents: your favorite hostess and mine, the one who makes everything possible, Anne Fernale!
Anne: Merci, mes amis, merci! Thank you for the warm welcome. But we are not here to talk about me.
Look around you: my beautiful establishment is destroyed!
The night was young when they sat down,
The cards dealt thick and fast.
Cigars were smoked and drinks were downed
But something was wrong with those two.
They claimed they were cheated and started a rout
And turned the table over.
Then guns were drawn and knives came out;
My bar was completely destroyed!
I tell you lads, I mean it!
I want those fools brought in.
They look on a lot when they tangled with me,
They’ve gotten down under my skin.
I tell you lads, I mean it!
Those bastards can’t get far.
The rules are the rules
And everyone knows:
No guns allowed in my bar!
First things first:
The small one’s Owen, he started all this
By calling the dealer a cheat.
Was losing his money hand over fist.
Now, what’s the problem in that?
He slapped on the table and brought out his gun;
The rest of the bar followed suit.
Snatched all the money and started to run
And was out the door into the night!
I tell you lads, I mean it!
I want those fools brought in.
They look on a lot when they tangled with me,
They’ve gotten down under my skin.
I tell you lads, I mean it!
Those bastards can’t get far.
The rules are the rules
And everyone knows:
No guns allowed in my bar!
Hick: Tell us about the second one.
Anne: You mean the big one?
The big one’s big, what more can I say?
Despite that he’s not very bright.
His money was mine ‘fore he started to play;
That could be what made him so mad.
One look from his friend and he was on board.
He stood and flipped over the table.
Took down seven men, didn’t say a word,
Just lumbered out into the night.
Mes amis, I am bereft! I have given everything to my cabaret and to see it destroyed in one fell swoop . . . why, it’s almost too much to bear! As you can see, my fine
establishment has been destroyed! Mauled! Ruined! I beg of you, do this for me. You will be rewarded most . . . handsomely.
Unless they’re dead. I wanna do that part myself.
I tell you lads, I mean it!
I want those fools brought in.
They look on a lot when they tangled with me,
They’ve gotten down under my skin.
I tell you lads, I mean it!
Those bastards can’t get far.
The rules are the rules
And everyone knows:
No guns allowed in my bar!
(Laughter and coughing)
Impartial
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
Impartial is my battle cry
For here we stand or here we die
A firefight to light the sky;
The time for reckoning is nigh
Their ships outman us one to three
Your choices now could set you free
I ask you all to fight with me;
A challenge for the world to see
Prime your guns and whet your blades;
My fury now will be dealt in spades
We'll strike them fast, before night fades
And bring them down, this cursed brigade
We've come too far to let this go;
I'll live up here or die below
Make sure the guns are primed to blow;
Our moment thrives in this tableau
It is fair to bring them all to a fight we cannot win?
To ask for proof of loyalty they gave me on a whim?
Is this fear and loathsome doubt my last remaining sin
Or can I tamp this feeling down to fit inside my skin?
Was I a fool to leave the earth to chase this fairy dream?
For suddenly this carefree life has lost its lustrous sheen
Am I the leader, that they need, a venging Pirate Queen
Or just a girl who's lost her way, a cog in the machine?
But none of them have turned away and none of them have fled
Despite the possibility tomorrow we'll be dead
The fears of my mortality take flight inside my head
And supplant the notes of strategy compiled in their stead
Impartial is my battle cry
For here we stand or here we die
A firefight to light the sky;
The time for reckoning is nigh
Their ships outman us one to three
Your choices now could set you free
I ask you all to fight with me;
A triumph for the world to see
Prime your guns and whet your blades;
My fury now will be dealt in spades
We'll strike them fast, before night fades
And bring them down, this cursed brigade
They won't decide who'll win and lose
Our story's based on what we choose
I've come too far and paid my dues
Our triumph will be front page news
We've come too far to let this go;
I'll live up here or die below
Make sure the guns are primed to blow;
Our moment thrives in this tableau
Prime your guns and whet your blades
My fury now will be dealt in spades
We'll strike them fast before night fades
And bring them down, this cursed brigade
Clockwork Maid
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
Allison:
I am the governess, patient and true
Charged with the making a lady of you
Come down from that tree and put on your shoes
There's things to be learnt and there's no time to lose
Helene, you must learn to curtsy properly, like so
Now, you try
Helene:
Ow, sorry!
Alison:
Oh dear!
Helene:
Alison, can we go outside to the archery range?
Alison:
No! It's time for your lessons
Helene:
But you promised to teach me how to shoot!
Alison:
*ahem*
These things are important, you're nearly eighteen
Your wedding's just one year away
Your posture's atrocious, your hair isn't clean
Your petticoat's starting to fray
I saw Charles again today
Helene:
O, don't talk to me about that oaf.
Alison:
He's a fine gentleman
Helene:
I can't stand him!
Alison:
You don't have to stand him, just be a good wife;
A jewel in the peerage's crown
This party will launch off the rest of your life
Your destiny's worldly renown
I know that it chafes but it's all by design
You'll be the most beautiful bride
And then will come children... well, all in good time
A new generation to bide
Alison:
Helene, take off your party dress before you run. Otherwise you might... fall down the stairs
Helene:
I'm alright! Oooo... Ow!
Alison:
Oh dear!
I am the governess, patient it's true
But I don't think that I'll make a lady of you
You're dirty and wild and a little bit mad
But, strange as it seems, that isn't so bad
The big day's tomorrow, so rest well my sweet
The morning will come all too soon
Helene's counterpoint:
You are the governess
Don't make a lady of me
Dirty and wild, little bit mad
Strange as it seems, that isn't so bad
I won't sleep, I can't sleep!
Morning will come all too soon!
Allison:
Why does the night come to find me
Dancing alone in a dress of the moon?
I am here to perfect her, to push her into the sun
Seems all my life has been building to this day
Then why would I give, give it all away
For just another ordinary day?
A Safe Rest
Lyrics by Helene De Fer
Composition by Allison Curval
Helene:
How is it we have come to this
A turning that I somehow missed?
What weakened strength is left behind
For me without your brilliant mind?
I cannot fix your wounded hole
Or seek to hold your noble soul
But I can hold you till you sleep
And sing the song you sing for me
Close your eyes, my dear one
And rest your head beside me
Night's enchanting slumber
Sings you to a safe rest
The lissome night has fallen
The clouds are drifting slowly
I'll be by your side, dear
Till morning has come
Allison:
There's nothing here for me to forgive
Just live the life that you're meant to live
The greatest thing you've done for me
Is act to set my soul free
My journey ends tonight it's true
But so much more is awaiting you
Don't cry my sweet the night is here
And while you sleep I will be near
Close your eyes, my dear one
And rest your head beside me
Night's enchanting slumber
Sings you to a safe rest
The lissome night has fallen
The clouds are drifting slowly
I'll be by your side, dear
Till morning has come
Close your eyes, my dear one
And rest your head beside me
Night's enchanting slumber
Sings you to a safe...
Helene:
Rest
Flyboy
Lyrics by Colette Lovelace
Composition by Allison Curval
A helmet on
A deep breath in
A glance upon the sky
Would we be brave enough
To face the wind?
To fly?
No one to stop us now
Just Charlie Jones and I
With nothing but these flimsy wings
Did we dream a foolish thing
To be the men who fly?
Up we flew
Our engines burning
Up we flew
To touch the sky
Up we flew
With a desperate yearning
Up we flew
Prepared to die...
Brothers on wing
In skies, together
Far from Earth
Just Charlie and I
Up in the air
The radio screams
It's Charlie in distress
"A bandit's shot my wing!
I've had it now
I'm going West...
But know these years with you
I've served them all with pride
I know that all good flights must end
I'm glad my last was with you, my friend
It's been to short a ride..."
Down he went
His engines burning
Down he went
From out of the sky
Down he went
In a tailspin, turning
Down he went
Prepared to die
Up we'd gone
In the skies together
Up we'd gone
With no question why
Up we'd gone
For a soldier's duty
For a country we could not deny
A brother lost in a blaze of glory
Far from earth
Charlie Jones, farewell
And goodbye
Hold The Line
Lyrics by Colette Lovelace
Composition by Allison Curval
Whether the sun shines bright on us
Or whether torrid rains should fall
We will fly this bloody banner;
We will heed its rallying call:
Hold the line...
What would you sacrifice?
How strong would you stand
To face what lies ahead?
To answer this demand?
We'll tip our spears with broken bones
Sew skins into the sails
Our bodies burn from cannon blasts
Come what may, we cannot fail!
Brace yourself for the coming storm
With arms and weapons raised
Our glory shall be born of fire;
We will set these skies ablaze!
Hold the line!
When Banners Fall
Lyrics by Colette Lovelace
Composition by Allison Curval
The morning dawn rose bright
Golden on these roads
We thought the night would never end
That there would always be this cold
We climbed from the ruins
To see what remained
And one by one, we felt the sun
And prepared to start again
We picked up the pieces
From dust and debris;
Was it truly worth the price
Of this costly victory?
But there was no time to look behind;
We needed to rebuild
Braver deeds are still to come
And destinies fulfilled
Brighter days are still to come
And we at last stand tall
To greet the days ahead
When banners fall
From our sacrifice
A victory for all
We are what remain
When banners fall
A victory for all
When banners fall...
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (Eric Bogle Cover)
Original Lyrics by Eric Bogle
Performed by Colette Lovelace
Lyrics may differ slightly than the original
When I was a young man I carried me pack
And I lived the free life of the rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in 1915 the country said: Son,
It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As our ship pulled away from the quay
Amidst all the tears, flag waving and cheers
We sailed off for Gallipoli
How well I remember that terrible day
When our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell they call Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny Turkey, he was ready, he primed himself well
He chased us with bullets, and he rained us with shell
And in five minutes flat, we were all blown to hell
He nearly blew us back to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then we started all over again
Now those that were left well we tried to survive
In a mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive
Though around me the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me ass over head
And when I awoke in me hospital bed
And saw what it had done, and I wished I was dead
Never knew there was worse things than dying
For I'll go no more Waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs
No more waltzing Matilda for me
So they gathered the crippled, the wounded, and maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
The legless, the armless, the blind and the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where me legs used to be
And thank Christ there was no one there waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
The Band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared
Then they turned all their faces away
Now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I see my old comrades, how proudly they march
Renewing old dreams of past glories
And the old men march slowly all bent stiff and sore
The tired old men from a forgotten war
And the young people ask "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question
But the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men still answer the call
But year by year, their numbers get fewer
Someday, no one will march there at all
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me?
And their ghosts may be heard as you pass by the billabong
Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me?
When Banners Fall
Published in 2012
Total Tracks: 6
Credits
Allison Curval
Composition
Instrumentals
Artwork
Colette Lovelace
Lyrics
Vocals
Trinket Bramage
Vocals
Christopher Bass
Guitars
Martin Irigoyen
Mastering
Dramatis Personae
Published in 2009
Total Tracks: 8
Credits
Allison Curval
Composition
Instrumentals
Post Production
Artwork
Helene De Fer
Lyrics
Vocals
Johnny Benson
Studio Violin
Instrumentals
Tom Kessler
Barker (No Guns Allowed)
The Singles
A Forest of Crumbs
Lyrics by Julie Zakar
Composition by Sam Lee
The wind is cold, the woods are deep ...
Growing shadows start to creep ...
Will the spectral horsemen ride
In a Wild Hunt tonight?
The stomach turns at what lies ahead
And there's an overwhelming sense of dread.
And it's too late to turn back now,
We must forge ahead in anyway and anyhow.
No matter what ghosts appear,
I must face my every fear.
Hold tight tonight ...
Hold tight tonight,
Hold tight tonight.
The moon is dark and the sky is falling,
Voices on the air are calling,
"Phantom hunters, take your flight!"
Hold tight tonight ...
At last I end this weary roam,
In his embrace it feels like home ...
Dragonfall
Lyrics by Julie Zakar
Composition by Sam Lee
Now the nightmare's over,
Still, this dream goes on.
After this near endless night,
The sun begins to dawn ...
A battle done;
A rising sun;
A war survived.
A night through;
A life anew;
A world revived.
A peaceful dawn;
A terror gone;
A story spun.
A dragon slayed;
A people saved;
A morning come -
The morning's come.
Now the dragon's fallen
And the choice is mine to make:
Do I dream forever
Or face my world awake?
Now the story's done,
So let the morning come.
The story's just begun,
So let the morning come.
Let the morning come,
Let the morning come.
A Forest of Crumbs
Published in 2014
Total Tracks: 1
Credits
Sam Lee
Composition
Instrumentals
Artwork
Luna Skye
Live Cello
Julie Zakar
Lyrics
Vocals
Martin Irigoyen
Mastering
Dragonfall
Published in 2015
Total Tracks: 1
Credits
Sam Lee
Composition
Instrumentals
Artwork
Julie Zakar
Lyrics
Vocals
Robare Pruyn-Bush
Vocals and Mastering
The Iron Terror
Published in 2015
Total Tracks: 1
Credits
Sam Lee
Composition
Instrumentals
Artwork
Julie Zakar
Lyrics
Vocals
Robare Pruyn-Bush
Vocals and Mastering
Charlie Stark
Vocals
Adami Osho
Vocals
Our Fans
Angry Chanting
Iron Terror
Lyrics by Julie Zakar
Composition by Sam Lee
Heed the sound of the warning drums,
Beware, the Terror comes.
Rises from the darkest depth,
Its every step, an anvil’s strike
Every breath, a haze of death
We are all doomed, each alike
Heed the sound of the warning drums
Beware, the Terror comes.
No one can hide
From the dragon's eye
There is no escape
From what awaits
Listen close,
All in turn,
All will burn
Listen close
All will learn
All will burn
(All will burn, all will burn … )
See the dying light
Never to return
Hear the echoed cry,
“All will burn!”
No hope remains,
All in turn
All wiiiiilllllllll
The wretched weak march in its thrall
Ever forward to its call
The dark that causes stars to fall
The end will come for us all
All
Will
Burn (hold this burn out if you can......)
All will burn
All will burn
All will burn
All
Will
Burn