Alone from Pendulum by Liz Stringer

Sharks they swim through shadows round the rocks where I was born
Worn smooth by the wrath of a thousand rainstorms
They watch me for I am friends with the creatures of the dark
The alley-dwelling bottom-feeders near and far
Oh they know my way, keep to myself and the bad keeps away
They understand what it is to be alone

I remember my mother well, she was gentle and she was tall
I still smell her faded apron and hear her dinner call
And when she lost her eyes, I gladly gave her mine
Those last years were summer days and strawberry wine
Oh I know what she’d say, she’d scold me now for living this way
She’d say “Don’t you stay alone”

I read in a magazine that was washed up on the shore
It said this Autumn’s colour is navy green and all office girls are whores
I never knew the city well, I don’t do pretty talk
But I understand the cicadas’ rhythm and the birds’ call
Oh it don’t make sense to me, for the colour of the seasons are the colours of the sea
And the ocean decides the colour of the sky
And I am alone

• Americana
• Folk
• Roots
• Melbourne