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Marionettes

from Retro by Time Baby

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about

While reading Francis Steegmuller's wonderful biography of Jean Cocteau, and I had become fascinated by the relationship between Cocteau's acquaintances in the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev and Vaslav Nijinsky. In writing about them I was finally able to start making sense, and realized that my old style was just a cover for a lack of confidence. Still one of my personal favorites, even if I butcher every French word in the song.

lyrics

Leaving the spires of Moscow for Paris and spring
Going abroad as Scheherazade, living legends of coquetterie
The republic's imperialist daydreams embodied in me
The instrument of imagination learning lessons in mortality

But the harlequin of the Ballet Russes died
His impresario growing like dreams
Now the clown of God finds his hands and feet tied
Caught up in the trap of the free
Caught up in the trap of the free

Oh Sergei, is this your most fabulous play
Marionettes who determine the dance
Ingenue, trophy, muse, or coquette
Teach me my role of the day
Teach me my role of the day

But you must find it odd
Your Scheherazade
The gold odalisque of your dreams
Here in your bed
Caressing the head
That trapped me with all of its schemes

Backstage I was always the focus you wished you could be
Panting and blue, strange ingenue, admirers orbiting me
But with Romola, my bride, I sailed home to find
The greatest scandal was waiting for me

Yes, Sergei, you fired me, and Jean now ignores me
And Misia has far greater fawns to ensnare
I'm no longer your clown but Parisians remember
The harlequin I used to be
My strings have been cut but the world will remember
The puppet that I used to be

credits

from Retro, released November 22, 2014

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Time Baby Fayetteville, Arkansas

Imaginary songs for imaginary people.

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