Emerging  into the
brightness of the day

Recognise?
I am alone
In search of Cassandra, Princess of Troy
Summer Solstice Song
Güzelsin
Wedding Hymn
My City has been Burned to the Ground
January 13th
Another Mad Message
Time to Go Home
Dark Shine

In Search of Cassandra, Princess of Troy
words & music by Ed Hooke, October 1994   -   © Ed Hooke 1994 & 2007

Amongst the royalty of Troy at the height of its fame
lived one girl, beautiful but mad  - Cassandra was her name.

It's told that the God Apollo wooed her
with the gift of prophecy but he said
none would believe or understand her
since she refused to grace his bed.

She told of war & and Troy's destruction she foresaw.
Predictably, she won no popularity. 

After 10 years of siege, the ships of the invaders sailed
leaving a giant wooden horse.
 Was this a prize for those who had prevailed?
Cassandra screamed of blood and burning
cloaked outside the Scaean Gate.
Of course, her fears fell on deaf ears
that scorned her pleas to wait.

She saw their joy.
The trophy was the toast of Troy.
And in their pride, they did not stop to look inside.

You warned us, Cassandra.
But nothing has been learned.
The gift horse has been welcomed in.
You spoke but nobody believed.
They said that you were mad.
Unwelcome truth flowed from your tongue.
You speak but nobody believes.

Troy fell.  Amidst the flames the temple offered no escape.
Once priestess at the altar - now victim of brutal rape.

Violated by a foreign soldier, then married into slavery
Frenzied by fear and foresight, Cassandra danced to meet her destiny.
Mycenae's palace beckoned, ruled, bejewelled, bedecked with gold.
Blindly her captor led her to their fate, which she herself foretold.

In the courtyard, this crazed girl struggled mighty hard
Until, dragged inside, by murderous hand, Cassandra died.

So I mourn you, Cassandra.
But nothing has been learned.
The victims have been taken in.
You spoke but nobody believed.
The future's in your eyes.
The truth flows from your fevered tongue.
You speak but nobody believes.

Emerging, shaking, drained and frightened, into the brightness of the day.
Pale and weak, unnatural, feared, with the wish that this would go away.
I have to dance.

Dance Cassandra!

3,000 years have passed.  Cassandra's ghost is whispering still.
The curse has lifted and we can now believe her, if we will.

Cassandra tells, to look beyond attractive shells.
What do they hide?  Cassandra asks me "What's inside?"

Cassandra sings of dangers hasty Progress brings
and from her pain, I have the chance to think again.

So I thank you, Cassandra.
Now I start to learn.
You warn me: "don't be taken in".
Cassandra's wisdom I receive.
Now our time has come.
At last, my love, you rest in peace.
Farewell, Cassandra - I believe.
Now our time has come.
At last, my love, you rest in peace.
Farewell, Cassandra - I believe.

They said that you were mad.  Unwelcome truth flowed from your tongue.

The future's in your eyes
but from your pain, I have the chance to find Taruiva again.