eirlys rhiannon

plot

There’s a fence and a track down one side,
but no way up this weedy incline.
As I cut one, the leaves seem to laugh,
in just days there’s no trace of my path.

A strange cocktail awaits me outside:
“Why bother?” their eyes seem to cry,
“We’ve whipped and subdued it elsewhere.
Shiny shelves are stacked high with our wares.”

Trophies high, trophies low,
this is how to live you know
– could I say no?

Because each drop of oil is blood,
each leaf in the mouth is a gallon of sweat.
Each drop of oil is blood,
through these rivers of earth
my sisters and I met.

This plot has got hold of my dreams,
its spirit seduced me with ease,
but by day it holds fast ‘gainst my hands,
and it steadfastly resists my plans.

Naivety faithfully served,
my demons compete with the birds
(“Who are you to claim kin,
to atone for your sin?”).
Should a worrisome conscience take heed?
Or is guilt just the earth’s tax on greed?

Taxes high, taxes low,
this is how to live you know
– could I say no?

Because each drop of oil is blood,
each leaf in the mouth is a gallon of sweat.
Each drop of oil is blood;
through these rivers of earth
my sisters and I met.

There’s a fig tree beside where I ride
catches the mud of the rising tide.
If I opened the door to your four-wheel drive,
could I rest in the dry for a while?

Could we cover our newfound shame
at the way we confused the rain?
Or lift up our elbows and poke out our eyes
– who’s to blame when everything’s fine?

Brollies high, brollies low,
this is how to live you know
– could I say no?
Because each drop of oil is blood.
Each drop of oil is blood.

Words and music by Eirlys Rhiannon and Rowan Armes

As performed on Sleep by:
Vocals – Eirlys Rhiannon
Piano – Rowan Armes
Harmonica – Carbon Town Cryer

Click here to hear radio interview which includes a live acoustic version of Plot.