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    Teshaleh

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    1. Totentanz

    From the recording Born of Fire

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    4. ​ ​ TOTENTANZ
    (Our version of this song is inspired by the
    so-called ​ Oberdeutscher vierzeiliger Totentanz ​ ,
    as we find in ​ a manuscript from 1443-1447 ​ , and
    more fully developed in ​ the dance of death in
    Basel ​ from ca. 1440. Each section is from the
    perspective of a particular archetype which is
    labeled at the beginning of each section.

    Lyrics

    (The Emperor)
    My power boundless
    To far land and sea
    I laid waste for Empire
    Foes fell to their knees
    My will is no longer
    Now I’m but a shade
    My blade and staff rot
    As death heeds no crowns

    (Death)
    Lord of men
    On your throne
    Crows now nest
    Your scepter and crown
    Are worthless as dust
    For I Death am Emperor here
    And now clasp my hand
    And join in the dance

    (The Merchant)
    In life I traveled
    To sell wares much prized
    My coffers buldge
    And my purse always full
    Now I feel chilled
    As a hand reaches out
    When in my tomb
    Gems and gold are no bribes

    (Death)
    Merchant man
    Your gold will not help you
    Of riches Death
    My master needs none
    Your skull can rest
    Atop a pile of coins
    As we clasp hands
    And you join in the dance

    (The Child)
    Dear Mother, where are you?
    You lay in the streets
    I barely crawl yet
    I am made to walk
    The smoke blinds my eyes
    And my toys are lost
    A man in black calls
    And I take his hand

    (Death)
    Weep or you laugh
    It matters not to me
    Your Mother’s arms or teet
    Would not save you now
    Rise from your knees
    It is time to join the line
    And now clasp my hand
    And join in this dance

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