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Ian Rutherford - Plus Five - Shadow on the Mountain

from Ruthers by Others vol. 1 by Ian Rutherford

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about

I think this must be my favourite track so far, it's just passed Looking For Heroes.

After a pleasant day on holidays near Cairns, driving down the mountain I pointed out a rather strange cloud formation and the shadow it cast against the mountain. At the time I just noted the title into my iPhone as is my habit. Later that day I began to reflect that perhaps our ancestors might have perceived that shadow as a bad omen. Lyrics emerged quickly and began by exploring our ancient tribal and xenophobic tendencies but then realised they weren't quite that ancient.

lyrics

Shadow on the mountain
© Ian Rutherford 2014

A song about tribalism and xenophobia, with a bit of Dr Seuss


Verse 1
The folks across the valley are really not like us
Their hair is light, their eyes are blue
Their hats are bright, their clothing too
They worship snakes and shun the light
They are wrong and we are right

Verse 2
The people from the mountain are a strange and fearful lot
Their words are harsh, their hats are green
Small children there are never seen
They eat the beasts that we all ride
They are the ones we can't abide

Chorus
There's a shadow on the mountain, evil is around
A shadow on the mountain, uncertainty abounds
Panic at the prospect of things we do not know
Unfamiliar faces, their customs and their clothes

Verse 3
The people from the sacred lake have demons on their side
They swim at night, beneath the moon
They want our land, they'll take it soon
They eat our fish, from our lake
Their way is wrong, it's their mistake

Verse 4
The people on the leaky boat are just the same as us
They eat and breathe and laugh and cry
They cut and bleed and drown and die
They eat and breathe and laugh and cry
They cut and bleed and drown and die

Speak a different language and wear different clothes
The people on the leaky boat are just the same as us

Chorus
There's a shadow on the mountain, change is coming soon
A shadow on the mountain, a growing sense of doom
People from another land, arriving on our shores
Violating customs, contravening laws



Verse 5
The people on the leaky boat are just the same as us
They eat and breathe and laugh and cry
They cut and bleed and drown and die
They eat and breathe and laugh and cry
They cut and bleed and drown and die


Chorus (repeats)
There's a shadow on the mountain, it's just a passing cloud
A shadow not an omen, don't be sucked in by the crowd
People seeking refuge, arriving on our shores
People just like you and me, fleeing evil laws

credits

from Ruthers by Others vol. 1, released July 30, 2014
Music & Lyrics by Ian Rutherford

Vocals: Élan Noelle www.fiverr.com/destiny1474
Guitars: Mirko Pirozzi www.fiverr.com/feelthemyth
Drums: Jason Meekins www.fiverr.com/jmeekinsdrums
Synths: Ian Rutherford

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about

Ian Rutherford Melbourne, Australia

Ian is a Melbourne keyboard player and songwriter.

The Plus Five band is a range of mainly vocalists, drummers and guitarists that perform my compositions and augment my keyboards.

Nickname: Rutherz
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