Listener, Beware.
I'd been researching a book to be called "The First Vampire," from 2010 'til about 2020. It's yet to be completed but I wrote this song in a single sitting three years ago so all that research wasn't wasted. However in writing so quickly I not only misquoted but mangled Yeats' most famous poem (for which I shall have my tongue torn out should I ever set foot in Ireland.) That said, two years ago my wife and I began reading aloud Elaine Pagels books on the Gnostic Gospels; writings which seemed to justify the most dramatic piece I've ever channeled. So I brought it and a companion piece to Jerry Marotta who tore into them both like his sanity itself was at stake. (Or was I too late?) Then, what with Mr. Levin on the road with you-know-who, I sent "Christ vs The Vampire" over to Jeff Keithline. Yet made no promises. For here was a highly talented but rather tame--or so I thought--individual. Well, that night Jeff Keithline appeared at my door brandishing a large shiny kitchen knife and--after stepping within five inches of me--whispered thru clenched teeth: "I'm the bass player on this or the both of us are going to die." The result? I'm still alive and Jeff is an altogether brilliantly purged human being. Next! Well I'd certainly never seen Ariel Shafir as pleased as while engineering final vocals before which a disembodied soul identifying himself as Sir Percy Percival took control of my vocal chords and after that last throat-destroying phrase "what ancient dooooooor!"... giggled. The giggle--more terrifying than anything preceding it, has--for the sake of what's left of our Christian civilization--been removed. Nevertheless... Listener, Beware.
lyrics
Christ vs The Vampire Words & Music: Tad Wise
with apologies to W B Yeats
Finally Christ rose to challenge the god of blood.
But no, it was not the other way 'round.
The occasion was The Last Supper on Earth
When The Nazarine finally stole that long-coveted crown.
For when Christ said: "This is my flesh-- Eat of it.
And drink of my blood for thine own soul's immortal sake!"--
He defied, mocked, and defiled ancient ritual...
That theft of human blood to quench a thirst none would ever slake!
And so when Christ and The Vampire went to war that night--
A war which has raged in secret ever since--
Except that it has finally broken free of such secrecy:
The blood-guzzler freely feeding on the ignorant.
What rude beast his hour come round at last
Slouches rich, feasting fat on the unborn...?
What tide of blood does he ride and to which side,
Exactly what hinge has he ripped from what door?
Yes and but The Vampire no longer hunts the living
For they slice their own throats and kneel for his suck.
Nothing they possess is not gladly given.
And they would kill any who dare call their lord..."Corrupt!"
And so The Vampire finally emerges from those entertainments
Thru which for centuries he's slept in coffins and bared fangs.
None of that is necessary anymore
For the guards who today guard his door
Are among the best-trained agents of this Earth's most powerful land!
What rude beast his hour come round at last
Slouches rich, feasting fat on the unborn...?
What tide of blood does he ride and to what side,
Exactly what hinge has he ripped from what ancient door?
Grand Adventure Music
BMI 2023
credits
from The TakeAway,
released November 18, 2023
Tad Wise: guitar and vocals
Jerry Marotta: drums
Jeff Keithline: bass
Original guitar, vocals, and drum tracks recorded at Jersville Studio
by Ariel Shafir who recorded final vocals at Dreamland Studio.
Mixed and Mastered by Mark Dann at Mark Dann Studio
Produced by Tad Wise
Tad Wise started writing songs at ten, while raking Bob Dylan’s leaves. He was discovered by John Hall in 2000 who promptly
produced Wise’s first CD. Twenty years later Wise returned. First with "For The Record," with Tony Levin & Jerry Marotta. Then with "Mind's Eye." In 2023 he'll release
"The TakeAway," starting with the title track...right now....more
