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Carys and Rosemary - An Honest Man

from An Honest Man by Carys

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Featured in "The Story Behind the Song" on November's folkcast - www.folkcast.co.uk/ShowNotes/shownotes080.html; I wrote this song after a discussion with a friend revealed there were no songs about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The title comes from the oft-quoted phrase "Guy Fawkes; : the only man ever to enter parliament with honest intentions."

lyrics

I come in search of honest men
To right our country's wrongs
And throw King James from England's throne
My name is Robert Catesby
For forgiveness I do pray
For the deeds I fear we must commit
If we are to win the day

They tell me of a soldier
Loyal in friendship, skilled and true
Who may want to join our number
For reward in heaven due
Pray meet me at the Duck and Drake
The Inn along the Strand
Where we shall plan for catholic pride
Returned to our fair land

Concealed beneath the House of Lords
We'll sure surprise them well
When King James steps into parliament
We'll send him down to hell
But for this most important task
We need a man who's true
Who can be trusted unto death
Guy Fawkes, that man is you

On the fourth day of November
Guy Fawkes hid beneath the house
With six and thirty barrels of gunpowder to his name
But on the eve of triumph
Betrayal on soft footsteps came
As a letter to Monteagle
Warned the monarch of our scheme

As news of Fawkes' capture came
I turned away and ran
I knew what fate awaited me
Death, my redemption now

Fawkes was dragged to the bedchamber
Of the King who waited nigh
When asked of his intentions
Looked the king clear in the eye
“My Lord, you're a disease to me”
and these powder barrels plain
“Are to blow you Scottish beggars back to your own native mountains”

King James admired such courage
But there could be no reprieve
He ordered a confession
To be learned by any means
Two days it was before Guy Fawkes
Would give up any name
His body them so broken
He could barely sign his name

Yet when taken to the gallows
He found strength to leap alone
A broken neck spelt instant death
No drawing for this man
So remember oh remember
The failed gunpowder plan
Guy Fawkes who entered parliament
A truly honest man

credits

from An Honest Man, released November 8, 2012
Written and arranged by Carys
Vocals and guitar - Carys
Vocals - Rosemary
recorded and mixed at www.mikesound.co.uk, October/November 2012

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Carys UK

Carys, singer-songwriter with autism, anxiety and awesomeness, writes happy songs about death and sad songs about the universe. She has an enthusiastic and evocative stage presence displaying a natural charm. Carys is a unique talent, interpreting her own composed material and traditional songs alike as well as showcasing her beautiful and evocative vocal textures within ambient electronic music. ... more

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