Albion from Exile by Johanna Glaza

We heard the voice of slumberous Albion, and thus he spake,

Idolatrous to his own Shadow words of eternity uttering: 

O I am nothing when I enter into judgment with thee! 
If thou withhold thine hand; I perish like a fallen leaf:

O I am nothing: and to nothing must return again: 
If thou withdraw thy breath. Behold I am oblivion. 

He ceasd: the shadowy voice was silent: 
but the cloud hoverd over their heads 
In golden wreathes, the sorrow of Man; & the balmy drops fell down. 

And lo! that son of Man that Shadowy Spirit of mild Albion:

Luvah descended from the cloud; in terror Albion rose: 
Indignant rose the awful Man, & turnd his back on Vala. 

We heard the voice of Albion starting from his sleep: 

Whence is this voice crying Enion! that soundeth in my ears? 

O cruel pity! O dark deceit! can love seek for dominion?

Dominion...

And Luvah strove to gain dominion over Albion 
They strove together above the Body where Vala was inclosd 
And the dark Body of Albion left prostrate upon the crystal pavement, 
Coverd with boils from head to foot: the terrible smitings of Luvah.

Then frownd the fallen Man, and put forth Luvah from his presence

Saying. Go and Die the Death of Man, for Vala the sweet wanderer. 

I will turn the volutions of your ears outward, and bend your nostrils 
Downward, and your fluxile eyes englob'd roll round in fear: 
Your withring lips and tongue shrink up into a narrow circle, 

Till into narrow forms you creep: go take your fiery way:
And learn what tis to absorb the Man you Spirits of Pity & Love. 

Love love... love love...

They heard the voice and fled swift as the winters setting sun. 
And now the human blood foamd high, the Spirits Luvah & Vala, 

Went down the Human Heart where Paradise & its joys abounded, 

In jealous fears & fury & rage, & flames roll round their fervid feet:
And the vast form of Nature like a serpent playd before them 
And as they fled in folding fires & thunders of the deep: 
  
Vala shrunk in like the dark sea that leaves its slimy banks. 
And from her bosom Luvah fell far as the east and west. 

And the vast form of Nature like a serpent rolld between,
Whether of Jerusalems or Valas ruins congenerated, we know not: 

All is confusion: all is tumult, & we alone are escaped. 

• Alternative
• William Blake
• analogue
• avant-garde
• baroque pop
• experimental folk
• folk
• found sounds
• indie folk
• singer-songwriter
• London