The Centre of the Cyclone by Alchemeon, from Alchemeon Live In Session Winter 2008-09.

• The Centre of the Cyclone is more-or-less in the key of A major.
• There is a classic chord progression in the first verses, which is A - Em - G - Bm - D.
• This mutates into C - G - D - Am - Em - G.
• The final chord of the whole song is an Asus4, which leaves a giant tantalising question mark dangling in the air.
• The Centre of the Cyclone has several sections, each with a different tempo and texture.
• It was first performed live in 1985 by Laughing Sun in the drama studio at Exeter College during a free lunchtime concert given for the students.
• Jim used his amazing understanding of arrangement to take this wonderful song and make it longer and more elegant with the addition of a guitar solo before the vocals start.
• It seems more and more extraordinary that Pok wrote the lyrics for this when he was only 19.

THE CENTRE OF THE CYCLONE In forlorn castles too brief for living We rose to catch the sound but were defeated Just around the corner beyond the eyes Beyond the skies we set ourselves as real Like spaceships casting cosmic lines, left behind With stars strewn from our astral selves and planets in our eyes

You walk along the road of life too high to see The mountain you are climbing Casting seeds and scrolls from our outstretched hands The forgiven forget of the gift And it’s too late, the ladder stretches up and down And where do you stand in perspective to it all?

Can you imagine a place, a space that you have not been before But which is not new to you? A place you can recall softly, push through bad dreams Make it real, remember Complications contradict but reality sticks And unbounded has its realms In everything you see

Yes, what do you see? Push through the dark vales to the sea Cast your cosmic line wherever it may fall Maybe you will find some higher guidance there or Maybe you will find a place that you can truly rest Maybe you will find some friends who love you the best Listen Listen Listen

The tides of swirling memories Are nearly gone but forgotten Would you choose to beg or loose The axis which you hold onto Thirteen is the number, twelve it is the rite Thirteen red eyed ravens Outside the house at night

Outward, outward on out Cast light, cast light about Outward, outward on out Look out, which way is far out?

Petty wages are falling like leaves, calling the master To apprenticeship again Will he recall the time, the chime of freedom Blowing through his keyhole Step down from your pedestal and mingle once again With the crowds that you shunned as a youth

At the centre of the cyclone Where all our thoughts are real You’re cacooned in your mental egg Imprisoned inside your head

If we look out the bars we’ve made Can we maybe follow just a little way To see there are no shackles to pass Yet more fresh air, green fields and grass

And we are like the butterfly We can’t take off, our wings aren’t dry But soon if we shall heed the guides The caterpillar metamorphosise

Words and music by Simon Miller. This arrangement by S. Miller/G. Davies/J. Peters/Iggy.

Performers: Pok the Bard – guitar and voice Jim Iz – keys and voice Iggy – drums and percussion George – bass and technicals

This version recorded live at Depot X, Exeter, 13th January 2009. Cassette salvage and remastering at Wud Records Studio One, 2018.

Cover illustration by Pok the Bard. Graphic design by Sam James.

Released August 23, 2018 Original release date: 15th January 2009

Copyright © 2018 Wud Records. Copyright ℗ 1984 Pok Songs/Explicit Music.

See also: https://www.wudrecords.co.uk/artists/alchemeon/ https://www.explicitmusic.co.uk/lyrics-information/alchemeon/alchemeon-lyrics/the-centre-of-the-cyclone https://wudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-session-spring-2009 https://wudrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-session-winter-2008-09 https://twitter.com/WudRecords