I recorded the demos for Pennard on cassette 4-track in Dallas, playing and singing everything myself. The recordings featured here are taken from six live performances in Seattle that were then mixed down in the studio.
Pennard: A Rock Opera
by Tom Wiseley
Contents
Prologue (Wind in Wales)
Sand in Wales
King
Getting toKnow You (Part One)
Love Song
The Innocent Song
Bargain
Euchre
Getting to Know You (Part Two)
Finale Postlogue (Sandstorm)
The Story:
There is a castle in Wales that stands buried to it’s battlements in sand. The history of the castle is obscure but there is a local legend: The Orgy at Castle Pennard. In the Dark Ages, Wales was a battleground for rival kingdoms. A group of mercenary warriors grew out of the turmoil, independent of any king. Their home was the Castle Pennard. Their leader enjoyed the greatest wealth and fame in the land. For a handsome reward, he and his men would ride to battle for any king, any cause. But the men of Pennard were lost to history with one fateful mistake. A king to the north had called upon them to come without delay, promising any price if they could ensure him victory. Upon his return from the sucessful battle, the leader of the men requested the hand of the king’s daughter. The king objected but his daughter was vain and shortsighted and asked her father’s permission to go. Reluctantly, he consented. With his new bride, the leader set off for Pennard with his men. On the way to the castle,the princess rode behind the leader and listened to his grim tales of battle. He told her of the wild feast they would have once they returned to Pennard.“There will be wine, food, women for my men and y ou for me!” The princess was dismayed. That night, they reveled in victory at Pennard. The feast went far into the night. Mountains of meat and seas of ale. Few were left standing when a sentinel appeared from the watch tower to report a huge host of figures approaching on the battle plain before the castle. The leader sprang from his seat and roused as many of his drunken men as he could. The warriors rushed out onto the battlefield to meet the approaching figures. They found themselves face-to-face with a group of shimmering apparitions, glowing silvery-white. In terror, they drew their swords and began slashing and hacking at the figures. The figures vanished, leaving the men dumbfounded. It had been a group of fairies who had come to dance on the princess’ wedding night. As the men stood amazed, the sky clouded over and the wind began to howl. As the men stumbled blindly about, the wind brought a mountain of sand down upon them.Their castle was laid to waste. As the storm settled and dawn broke, all that could be seen was the battlement of Pennard.
— from “Welsh Walks and Legends”, by Showell Styles
Prologue (Wind in Wales)
(Bare stage–split level. Dawn flickers across the cyc as the music rises. Amidst clamoring themes and washes of sound a driving beat emerges. HERO is seen. He stands without movement and sings as the music merges into one whispering chord)
HERO:
My father was a free man He taught me to take my stand
He died sooner but lived more than most
The day I lost my family I swore death would never catch me
And I began to run from my own ghost
But something brings us face-to-face although I run from place to place
And I find myself alone and growing tired
I try to be a free man I kill to beat death and here I am
Stealing time and fighting fire with fire
The wind in Wales is fine
All my days are mine
I’m a horseman riding off with time
(The FAIRIES enter and dance. Their movements are gentle and flowing)
Prologue (Sand in Wales)
(The FAIRIES move to the upper level. The WARRIORS enter. Their movements are athletic and acrobatic)
FAIRIES:
The castle Pennard stands in Wales
Where Warriors made their stand and failed
Swords had lost to sand goes the tale
Among the men a man
(The WARRIORS break apart to reveal Hero.The Fairies part to reveal KING, QUEEN, DAUGHTER, FLUNKIE, ENTOURAGE)
Up upon his throne the King Safe and warm at home sitting
Reaping blood alone, forgetting How gold can turn you cold
The king he needs the man to fight
KING:
Come and save my land tonight
Of the riches in my hand by right
All that you desire is yours
(HERO turns to see DAUGHTER who exits with ENTOURAGE. WARRIORS exit)
HERO:
The wind in Wales is fine
All my days are mine
I’m a horseman riding off with time
(HERO exits)
FAIRIES:
Tra la
Fly far
Doo da
Uh huh
Wise words
Worth what
When you’re
On top?
(Exeuent. Lights out)
King
(Fanfare. Lights up on throne room. KING leads procession onstage. He is eating, attended by FLUNKIE. As KING struts about, FLUNKIE picks up what is thrown)
KING:
I am the shaper, I am the King
God is kind of like me
I’ve got a house, it’s pretty big
It’s got a balcony
Objects are objects, so are subjects
They’re placed where I want them to be
I am the mover, I am the man
I’m the majestic monarch
Don’t be decieved–It’s just a game
But don’t forget who holds the cards
Maybe you like me and maybe you don’t
But you’ll make me feel loved if you’re smart
(He giggles and leads the procession off. DAUGHTER is at the tail of the line and lingers as HERO appears downstage. He sees her)
Getting to Know You (Part One)
HERO:
Strong
True
Worn torn
And Blue
So
I’ve been bought and sold
I got old
Learning what I know
See me as the answer
Stop the spinning world
Nothing else would matter
Nothing else but you
Give me have me take me
Share some simple time
Where would I be If you were mine?
DAUGHTER:
Soft
Tender as a dove
Forlorn and lonely
Peeking at you
So
Cold
Hold me hold me hold on
I just hope you
See me as the answer
Stop the spinning world
Nothing else would matter
Nothing else but you
Give me have me take me
Share some simple time
Where would I be If you were mine?
(They come together. Gentle. Not sexual. Lights fade with music)
Love Song
(WARRIORS crash onstage and spar with gymnastics, acrobatics, etc.)
WARRIORS:
I love to move, I love no tomorrow
Where I was and where I’ll be
Are sunk in wine and sorrow
I love my skin, Don’t you?
Tough as leather, dry inside
Only swords get through
I love to hate, blame my skin
Love’s too thick to penetrate and hate is love worn thin
I love to sleep–sleep ain’t easy
When I’m dead I’ll sleep like lead
A sleep like that would please me
I love to move, I love no tomorrow
Where I was and where I’ll be
Are sunk in wine and sorrow
(WARRIORS move on. HEARTS lags behind. He’s older, winded, good-natured. As he listens to the WARRIORS fade in the distance, he hears the FAIRIE’S theme, which fades as well, leaving him delighted and saddened)
The Innocent Song
HEARTS
In days gone by, for years to come
If I could start again, be anyone
I’d head down south with my old girl
And grab a piece of big town fun
She’s always said my heart’s too big
To live off war, to be at peace with it
And ya know, I’d laugh at my old girl
But as years roll by, I’m surely gettin’ tired of it
I think it’s more my style to leave ‘em with a smile
What I’d really like to do–what I woulda shoulda could do
Is graba handa sanda shuffle shoe
(He pulls a handfull of sand from his pocket and pours onto the ground. His soft-shoe is no better than his singing–more loveable than talented. Finishes CS and bows. Blackout)
Bargain
(Lights up on the marketplace. WARRIORS and FARIES double as merchants, vendors, hustlers)
COMPANY:
Hey woah gimmie wanna wanna gimmie, etc.
(Procession enters upstage. KING, DAUGHTER and HERO move center)
DAUGHTER:
Let me say goodbye now, father
Please don’t make it hard for me
‘Cause I would leave one way or another
KING:
Have you even thought of me? Have you stopped…
DAUGHTER:
I have stopped and stopped and stopped
And never even been alive
This man could give me a lot
He’ll take me where the folks are always high
Bye bye…
HERO:
All we’re saying…
KING:
You’ve a lot of nerve to come here, blow your kisses and drink my wine
HERO:
You’ve a lot of nerve to say that
KING:
You’ve a job and not much time
Not much time, so don’t waste mine
What’s the price? Name your price
DAUGHTER:
It could cost his life
HERO:
It could cost my life
KING:
It could cost your life
Let me try to choke the tears back–coming from a man like you
You murder like you’re drinking water and line your pockets when you’re through
Land or money, stock or grain: Pick your poison, wear your shoe
Name the price–we’ll have a bargain. You have my word
HERO:
The girl will do
KING:
The girl?
HERO:
The girl
KING:
Not subject to negotiation
This is blood not stock or grain
What has a man in your position
Got to offer her but pain?
COMPANY:
Hey woah gimmie wanna wanna gimmie, etc.
KING:
Suppose I were to have you shackled
Stripped of skin and hung to dry?
HERO:
You overestimate my sense of humor
DAUGHTER:
You underestimate my will to fly
HERO:
Somehow these brass tacks elude you
I want to make this crystal clear
Eitquette aside, you’re in no Position to make a deal here
KING:
Then let me humbly accept this lemmon
And try to squeeze out something sweet
You win this battle you can have her
Pennard is mine if you get beat
HERO:
Pennard?
KING:
Pennard
HERO:
You have a bargain for a battle
Take my hand and seal the pact
KING:
I’d rather have your word in writing
Just in case you don’t get back
COMPANY:
Hey woah gimmie wanna wanna gimmie, etc.
Euchre
(A clearing in the woods. Campfire. Warriors slowly gather, drunk and happy. Tableis placed at which sit HEARTS, CLUBS, DIAMONDS and ALONE. Cards are dealt to a stomp, clap, jug-blowing groove)
HEARTS:
Pass
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
DIAMONDS
(knocks)
HEARTS:
Pass
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
DIAMONDS:
Hearts
HEARTS:
(Plays his card and begins, a capella)
Any time you cook the soup, I’ll eat it
Maggie I am awful fond of you
When you bite my neck, I say what the heck
And say another one last I love you
(Deals)
Two three four
(Slams face card down. Players pick up hands)
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
DIAMONDS:
(knocks)
HEARTS:
Pass
(CLUBS Plays his card and begins)
CLUBS:
Clubs are something I have always known
The smell of blood is just the smell of home
So if I chop you up, Please don’t take it rough
You might just say I have a kiss of stone
(Lights isolate ALONE and stomp-clap becomes finger snap)
ALONE:
Alone.
I’m going it Alone.
I’m going it Alone.
I’ve had the rug pulled out beneath me
So many times I finally seen
The closest I should get
Is back-to-back in sweat
Don’t try to touch my heart
Just let me be
(Deals. Stomp-clap resumes. Lights back to normal.)
Two three four
(Slams face card down. Players pick up hands)
DIAMONDS:
(knocks)
HEARTS:
Pass
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
DIAMONDS:
(knocks)
HEARTS:
Pass
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
(All throw in hands. Stomp-clap halts)
ALONE:
Your deal
(Stomp-clap resumes)
DIAMONDS: (Very drunk, deals poorly)
Three two three two two three two three
Diamonds get the sharpest cleanest cut
Of any other weapon I know of
Right and wrong are chance
But one sure thing’s finance
Smiles may lie, but coin will win my trust
(Stomp-clap halts. WARRIORS lean together in clusters. Barbershop)
WARRIORS:
I am grieving the loss of my smile And I’ll prob’ly bite dust in a while
I’m making the most of what’s already a ghost
Loo la la la Loo la la la Loo loo loo
(Stomp clap resumes then fades as game resumes)
HEARTS:
Pass
CLUBS:
Pass
ALONE:
Pass
DIAMONDS:
(knocks)
Etc.
(Fade out)
Getting to Know You (PartTwo)
(Another clearing in the woods)
HERO:
There’s nothing like a woman’s touch
There’s nothing that I like so much
The only thing that soothes my heart
Is when I’m held
And it’s been such a long long time for me
BOTH:
Getting to know you
What can I show you?
What will it come to?
What do you see?
Getting to hold you
What can you see through?
I’m sure they told you
Things about me
DAUGHTER:
You do not seem right to me
There are things I did not see
This is turning out all wrong
I am very sorry
BOTH:
Getting to know you
What can I show you?
What will it come to?
What do you see?
Getting to hold you
What can you see through?
I’m sure they told you
Things about me
HERO:
Why am I doing this to me?
There’s better places I could be
You pull me in but out of reach
The night is young, I’ll take you home
And then we’ll see
BOTH:
Getting to know you
What can I show you?
What will it come to?
What do you see?
Getting to hold you
What can you see through?
I’m sure they told you
Things about me
(HERO exits. FAIRIES enter and dance with DAUGHTER)
FAIRIES:
FAIRIES:
Tra la
Fly far
Doo da
Uh huh
Wise words
Worth what
When your
Walls drop?
(Exuent. Heart’s Theme mingles with moving light. Blackout)
Finale Postlogue (Sandstorm)
(
(Music and lights softly up on Pennard. The WARRIORS are hours into an orgy)
COMPANY:
(Chorus One)
Gimmie my life, gimmie my time
My appetite gone
Let me bury myself under
This drink and a song
:
ALONE:
So where did I go anyway?
I checked my friend’s eyes today
And I’m nowhere to be found
Last time I bothered to look, I’d smile and that’s all it took
But now he shuts me down
Please stop by O lonley, O lonely
Keep me from ice ‘cause I’ll go
COMPANY: (ChorusTwo)
Gimmie my life in great big bites
Mountains of meat and seas of ale
Let me dig down when I’ve won my fights
Maybe bury myself in my drunken nights
CLUBS AND DIAMONDS:
I offer this toast to my friends
That whenever this partnership ends
We go down in battle
Maybe we’ve done it all wrong
I know we can’t do it for long
Just pray it doesn’t matter
WARRIORS:
Here’s to the Club Club the Brothers in Blood Club
All washed away by the tide
Here’s to the Club Club the Brothers in Blood Club
All blown away by our pride
(ChorusTwo)
DAUGHTER:
Always was a dancer
Since I was a youngster
Since I was a little girl
I’m a little flower
In my final hour
A dainty, dusty whirl
(Little girl enters to dance a duet with DAUGHTER then exits.)
COMPANY: (Chorus )
(The lights mellow, the crowd settles. Warmth)
DIAMONDS:
When I’m all rich and getting old
Losing teeth and counting gold
You can all come visit me
To share the wine and the memory
COMPANY (Refrain) Share the wine and the memory. Share the wine and the memory…
Postlogue (Sandstorm)
:
FAIRIES:
Tra la
Fly far
Doo da
Uh huh
Wise words
Worth what
When your
Hearts’ stopped?
(SENTINEL spots FAIRIES and reports to HERO, who rouses a few WARRIORS. The confrontation results in a sandstorm. Each character sings their theme into the chaos. Blackout.)
(Flickering dawn across the cyc. Pennard is buried. As the lights warm, there is a stirring beneath the sand and HEARTS emerges. He empties a pocketfull of sand and ponders. He hears the FAIRIES’ theme, smiles, looks at his feet and soft-shoe’s off. Blackout)