Track 9 | Penance
“We’ll be waiting in the wings, on the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far…”
Eliza Delf: Celebrating the bravery of women that refused to be bound by the limits and expectations of their time, whilst also lamenting what they were denied. Dark undercurrents underpin the soaring and defiant chorus that gives voice to the current generation that are following in the footsteps of those that started the fight for justice.
Jon Loomes: A feminist message with a warning to a certain type of man, juxtaposed against that most anachronistically misogynist of musical styles, the 'Bond' theme. In my mind, this tale, full of secrets being gradually brought to light, is set in eastern Europe, which seems as good a reason as any to dust off the Cimbalom. Time for veteran agent Georgina Smiley to come out of retirement.
Lyrics
Penance
We’ll be waiting to catch you out,
It’s a witch hunt,
But the witches do the hunting
With a pitchfork.
We know you don’t like magic,
That’s what it’s for.
It’s easy to be a big man, shake all the big hands,
When every hour you earn a grand.
But it’s easy for us to see through,
We know you,
We’re here too
And we’re not a fan.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
Get out your pen,
Get ready to ratify once again.
We’ll lobby, march, lead the charge,
Tell your friends.
We’re not a spare rib, or a spare part,
We’ve assembled and we’re moving fast.
We’re with Pankhurst,
And it likely will hurt,
But we’ll endure, we’re not demure,
We use deeds not words.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
We know you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
Back then it was herbs,
That was our curse.
Black cats around your feet
Could send you six feet deep.
Sent by the royal fool and his Daemonology.
They’ve always been scared of tongue a little loose,
Opinions will get you sent to the noose.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
We know you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
So many lives left unlived,
So many tales untold,
So many songs unsung
So many great loves gone cold.
So many lives left unlived,
So many tales untold,
So many songs unsung
So many great loves gone cold.
You took so much without regret.
The time has come to pay the debt.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
We know who you are,
Get rid of that smile.
We’ll be waiting in the wings,
On the wings of the women who’ve brought us this far.
© Eliza Delf 2022