American Sirens (for Gwen Araujo)

from New Myths Preview (Vocal / Piano Takes) by Peter Le Couteur

/

about

This track is dedicated to the memory of Gwen Araujo, who was murdered in 2002 in Newmark, California. Several of the lyrics are taken directly from the court reports about what was said during the night Gwen was killed.

If there is any way this track can be used to help transsexual teens, please don't hesitate to ask me.

lyrics

If we are the Greeks then you are the Romans. You love the deserts like we loved the sea. We lived for our secrets and you for exposing red faces, blue collars, and really white teeth.

American sirens, calling to the sailors cruising through the shallows of the San Francisco night. American sirens, out there in the desert where they're unweaving the rainbow back to red and blue and white.

Tie me to the mast boys, I've just got to hear what they are singing about. Tie me down to the mast boys, I've just got to hear the sirens singing to me. Lash me tight to the mast. To the mast. Gotta hear the sounds. Hear the sirens.

E-O-E-O-E-O-E-O...
I lied when I told them; the curse, I was bleeding. But they could have anything else that they liked. I knew it was risky but I, ah, I didn't know that the girls would reveal what lace couldn't hide.

Hold me down again, hit me to the floor. Kick me in the ribs then sit me on the sofa; I'm ok. You're not gay José. This is not your fault; you're a football player. I just can't believe this is a fucking man. I can't cope with this. I believe this is a female, but if she isn't going to tell you maybe you should check for yourselves.

Oh hold me now. Hold my head. Under. Well, oh hold me down. Can't you see that I'm bleeding here?

It can't be helped. These things can't be helped; boys will be boys. Will be boys. Will be boys.

Hold her down again. Drag her to the garage. Hit her with a shovel, strangle her then put her in the truck. Drive her out of town. Put her in the ground in the desert. Let's just say she had a long walk home.

American sirens. Some say they're monsters, leading men astray to drown them in the night. But I know that their curse is that they can't stop singing. Attracting men like moths around a light.

Tie me to the mast, boys, I have to hear the sirens singing to me. Lash me to the mast boys, I've just got to hear the sirens singing to me. Lash me tight to the mast, boys, I've just got to understand. Understand. Understand. Understand.

The truth will be buried deep, one way or the other. You know the sea floor is just a desert under water.

And if we are the Greeks then you are the Romans; you love the deserts and we love the sea. We lived for our future. And you for exposing the bodies of sirens on network TV.

credits

from New Myths Preview (Vocal / Piano Takes), released February 9, 2012

license

tags

about

Peter Le Couteur London, UK

The illegitimate lovechild of Tori Amos and Tom Waits, raised in secret at an English boarding school on a diet of Irish folk, blues, and comparative mythology.

After eight years of faffing, and finally finishing Seven New Myths in Prague with the help of the expat indie scene there, PLC is back in London singing in bars, and doing a PhD at the Royal College of Art about imaginary museums.
... more

contact / help

Contact Peter Le Couteur

Report this track or account

Peter Le Couteur recommends:

If you like Peter Le Couteur, you may also like: