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Sybil's Leaves

from Sybil's Leaves by DOS

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Patrick Bryant
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about

This song was written shortly after Rosarium was recorded and could be thought of as an addendum to the album. It was the first piece of music I write on my Mickleburgh spinet. It's written in G major which a teacher once told me was the most assertive of scales. The title was inspired by the Gerard Manley Hopkins’ apocalyptic sonnet, Spelt From Sybil’s Leaves.

The song is about the song itself, which often acts as a vehicle for some otherwise unforeseen event in a life. The song as an oracle, a crystal ball, a rune to be cast. I see that Sybil’s Leaves concerns the nature of prophecy itself. Prophecy when determined by another and when expectation and duty preside over the soul’s thirst for communion and fulfilment.

The string arrangement on this song was written by Timba Harris who I met one fateful night at Café Oto while treading the boards with our mutual friend Toby Driver. Much the same as Rosarium, this song was engineered by Thighpaulsandra who also contributed a synthetic garden with his modular system during the dying embers of the song. My partner, Rose Keeler-Schaffeler joins me with her voice. We were then anticipating the arrival of our son, Percy.

lyrics

Too sheltered long under Sybil’s Leaves
A sore verily one
We soldier on through the current here
With calm bearing song

When is emotion knots and tyrannies?
In columns it rows
Toward the land where the scarless steer
In blossoms of the tongue

Whisper of your secret exalted
Covetous one
Back in the shadow of a cross

Much clearer to the father once appeared
In pitch black relief
The frosted fruits of a jubilee
Dappled by his feet

Whisper of your secret exalted
Covetous one
Back in the shadow of a rose

Safe and sound from anyone around
Safe and sound from anybody’s crown

Row in the rough
When it’s all over
Row in the rough
Row this song over

credits

from Sybil's Leaves, released October 9, 2023
Daniel O’Sullivan: Voice, Piano, Bass, Drums & Percussion
Rose Keeler Schaffeler: Voice
Timba Harris: String arrangement
Thighpaulsandra: Modular Synthesizers

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DOS UK

Syncretic composition | Nō Problem

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