MAYHEM, MAYBE (Jethro Tull)

This is a sentimental favorite of mine, originally included in Tull's 20th anniversary box set. Some of the instrumental bits had been recorded during the "Broadsword" studio sessions, then left to gather dust until Ian Anderson unearthed the master tapes and completed the flutes, whistles & vocals for the sake of said box set. The lyrics tell about one particularly chaotic night when the neighboring fairies see fit to run amok through an otherwise sleepy little town, and likely having a high old time at the up-tight towns people's expense. I really love the Celtic musical influence in this piece, and (as is Ian's trademark) the lyrics are very cleverly rendered.

lyrics:

"MAYHEM, MAYBE"

When we're working nights, the village round
The old church becomes scary town.
All curtained windows and bolted doors
But never an eye to see
As us fairy folks sweep from the hill
Never caught us and never will.
Pulling roses and daffodils --
Mayhem in the high degree.

The blacksmith chased us all to ground.
They searched all night -- we were never found.
The tinker boys and the sheriff's men
Shaking the tallest tree.
And we sat and watched the women hide.
Laughed so much we split our sides.
Scattered horses that they would ride --
Mayhem in the high degree.

We crossed through fields of midnight green
Often heard but seldom seen.
Tore along hedges, stripping leaves --
No-one could quite agree
Whether we came from north or south.
We stole the screams from out their mouths
And go where no man would allow
Mayhem in the high degree.

Like scaly carp and feathered swan
To nature's world we do belong.
We ride the thin winds of the night
And set dark spirits free.
We terrify the mare and foal.
The fox stood still and far too bold.
So we strung him up, brush neatly folded --
Mayhem, maybe.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• mayhem
• maybe
• jethro
• tull
• fairies
• run
• amok

[LilyPicta7]

Thanks for putting this up! It's one of my all time favourite songs by Tull! I love the slideshow too, really well done! Schottish Fairies seem to be more mischievous than our Irish ones.^^ Greetings from Ireland, Lily XXX

[gothling1955]

@LilyPicta7 Thanks, you're very kind. I definitely wanted to try and bring the story of the song out in the images. And yes, those Scottish Fairies do seem to be particularly troublesome. Ah, Ireland, huh? Wow, that's wicked cool. Best wishes from the Pacific Northwest coast of America... Steve OOO

[LilyPicta7]

Wow, like music from the Otherworld!^^ Always loved this!

[gothling1955]

@LilyPicta7 Yes, I've always loved the instrumentation in this piece -- a fine little Fairie jig which makes our feet want to follow the rhythm. Thanks for watching!

[permaveg]

Fantastic little song about the little people, this with "Songs from the wood" album with "Jack in the Green" in the similar vein as this song shows Ian tapped in to that pagan spirit world and captured it in music, blessed be indeed.

[gothling1955]

@permaveg I always find comments like yours to be a true delight to read. I've long harbored an appreciation for Ian's willingness to explore such subject matter in a musical/lyrical form, and he has done so quite thoughtfully. 1975's "Pan Dance" strikes me as a facsinatingly wondrous foreshadowing of later works, such as "Jack-In-The-Green", "Cup Of Wonder", "Dun Ringill", "Weathercock", "Mayhem, Maybe", and others containing elements of ancient Celtic spirituality. Thanks so much for watching!

[permaveg]

@gothling1955 I only became aware of "Pan's Dance" in 87 or 88 when the twenty years anniv boxed set came out, reading through the booklet that came with the set it said the track in question was dedicated to the "Top of the Pops" dance group "Pans People", curious. Ian has certainly studied the "old path" i feel. First time i've seen all the lyrics too, thanks for that and the brilliant pics that accompany it, made me smile, good work. Much thanks.

[gothling1955]

@Pynaegan You're very kind. I'm just pleased beyond measure that anybody out there might enjoy this rare gem as much as I do. Yeah, I know how you feel: I had that limited edition box set in vinyl form, and a few months later (when I grudgingly made the switch to CDs), the CD edition was nowhere to be found anywhere. Couldn't even order it through the record store, as I found out. In any case, I was more than pleased to post the lyrics, since Ian's words are always worth reading. TULL FOREVER!!!

[Pynaegan]

Added, favorited and subscribed to.Curse no five star system for this deserveth it. Once owned the boxed set but it was the cassette version and when listened to as much as I did they are a fragile and finite thing.(curse my not having dubbed them and wore out and lost the copies) Replacement of the set has been futile to date.Bless you Gothling for your caring enough to post the lyrics and slideshow. And blessed be Jethro Tull in all their forms throughout the years and generations.

Blessed Be

[crissi812]

@gothling1955 Gothling now that you mention this i myself can see exactly what you saying..... and I also must say the images you have used in this video to portray the story have a total corrilation