By the Knife

This song depicts a nightmare I had about someone who had become estranged to me. It was quite violent in action, but the mood of the dream was rote; like folding clothes or changing guitar strings, there wasn't much excitement. I woke up in a nervous sweat though, and then I retraced the dream to the beginning in my journal as to not let it evaporate completely. I was left shook up by this nightmare for days, as it was not something anyone would want to experience. Some time later I had the understanding, as in the nature of dreams, that I was every character in the nightmare. I was the witness, I was the victim, I was every villain. With this perspective I felt as though I had been freed from the spell of estrangement. My dream had cut the cord of some manipulative spell that had been left to linger over me. This song represents the freedom that a dream or nightmare can afford us in the waking life. lyrics BY THE KNIFE I died by the knife. I died for your life. Men of mystery, men, they set me free. Held by these strong hands. Blood we spilt on them. Tried best that I could, this did me no good. Things might have been different if I had known you didn't care if you lost your limbs. Blank slate was your face. Calm indifference. They cut off your hands & feet as you lay there. I have no regrets. I'd do it again. We were both in such a difficult spot. There's no turning back. What's done is done. I heard not a word. Nothing was said. Though I surely knew, what could I do? This is how it ends. I wish you the best if you made it out of there alive. Did you survive long after I died? I hope that you did, my beautiful friend. I never wanted to see you in pain. Oh what a shame, my beautiful friend.

Collaborators: Maco Terr: guitars, bass, vocals Robin Chestnut: drums