Inspired by Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels, performed live in the Bushwick Book Club at the Living Room, NYC on July 30, 2013.
In this book we learn that the 20th Regiment of Infantry, Maine Volunteers had a special bugle call to let them know whatever bugle call followed was meant for their brigade. It was written by Dan Butterfield, the same Union army general who composed the bugle melody we know as Taps. I incorporated the 20th Maine's signature bugle call into my song; it's the repeating line that sounds like someone calling "Dan, Dan, Dan, Butterfield..."
Cherries are ripening all over Pennsylvania
All that month there is heat and wild rain
Strange hot land of elegance and anger
A windblown vacancy, a breathless pain
There is not much time, beware, prepare
Never, forever, never, forever
Never, forever, never, forever
Hour of decision, enemy on soil
Without so much as a drop of brandy
Emergency ration against snakebite and bad dreams
Not even a spoonful of save the baby
There is not much time, beware, prepare
Never, forever, never, forever
Never, forever, never, forever
He dreamed of his wife in the steamy morning
"I lie here dreamyly"
She was suddenly there, hot candy presence
She the only vacancy
O hast thou forgotten
how soon we must sever
oh hast thou forgotten
how soon we must part
it may be for years
it may be forever
Sweet Soubrette features the songwriting, vocals and ukulele of Ellia Bisker, whose dark, edgy "existential indie rock" has
won fans' hearts and critical praise since the release of debut album Siren Song. She is joined by a talented backing band, often featuring as many as 8 musicians onstage. Sweet Soubrette's fourth album, Big Celebrity, was released in 2016....more