Two Songs by Alan Parsons

Don't know if you know but I have this project of writing a book on progressive rock. I had intended to prepare it this year, but now I think it won't be possible. Anyway, one of the chapters will be devoted to the songs (and music in genereal) based on Edgar Allan Poe. There are many! I guess few authors have been such a source of inspiration as our tormented writer...

One of the most famous projects is the one made by Alan Parson, back in 1976. The good thing is: his album has songs for the two stories we read and discussed in class.

Here we have the lyrics.

THE TELL-TALE HEART

The Alan Parsons Project
(Tales of Mystery and Imagination – Edgar Alan Poe – 1976)
Sung by Arthur Brown


You should have seen him
Lying alone in helpless silence in the night
You should have seen him
You would have seen his eye reflecting in the light

So for the old man
Ashes to ashes, earth to earth and dust to dust
No one will see me
No one with guilt to share, no secret soul to trust

And he wont be found at all
Not a trace to mark his fall
Nor a stain upon the wall

Louder and louder
Till I could tell the sound was not within my ears
You should have seen me
You would have seen my eyes grow white and cold with fear

Heard all the things in heaven and earth
Ive seen many things in hell
But his vultures eye of a cold pale blue
Is the eye if the devil himself

Take me away now
But let the silence drown the beating of his heart
I cant go on
Let me be free from wretched sea that I can not see
Please let me be free

THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO
The Alan Parsons Project

By the last breath of the four winds that blow
I’ll have revenge upon Fortunato
Smile in his face I’ll say "come let us go
I’ve a cask of amontillado"
Sheltered inside from the cold of the snow
Follow me now to the vault down below
Drinking the wine as we laugh at the time
Which is passing incredibly slow
(What are these chains that are binding my arm)
Part of you dies each passing day
(Say it’s a game and I’ll come to no harm)
You’ll feel your life slipping away
You who are rich and whose troubles are few
May come around to see my point of view
What price the crown of a king on his throne
When you’re chained in the dark all alone
(Spare me my life only name your reward)
Part of you dies each brick I lay
(Bring back some light in the name of the lord)
You’ll feel your mind slipping away