works by william pham, 2005-present
The Butcher Does Butcher Gladly The butcher does butcher gladly, He cuts with noble knife -- He sings as he cuts, sings madly, He wants a noble wife. The handsome butcher sings alone, Softly to softest lamb, As he cuts her flesh straight to bone, Knife held in hardened hand. "She will become an Empress proud, She will send men to die -- She will command regal and loud, She will send men to die. Her hair will blaze red and bright, Fires to burn nations whole -- Her eyes will bring a thousand knights, A thousand pledge their souls. She will dance with men, kings and gods, She will know well their names -- She will spurn all men, kings, and gods, She will discard their names. O woman who shall be Empress, I butcher by your hand -- Let this noble knife well impress My love unto this lamb." The handsome butcher works his due, Until his hand does bleed -- He swears by blood his love be true, He swears he shall succeed. He goes to market all alone, To sell his butchered lamb -- And though the chill does cut to bone, He walks with stillest hand. A woman goes to market too, She craves the flesh of lamb -- She sings of love over and through, She sings with voice so grand. "I weep that I did love a stone, So smooth and cold and gray -- And by his side I was alone, Until our wedding day. I wed a stone and bid him live, For stones may not draw breath -- I bid a stone true love to give, Though all he knew was death. And so the stone did turn to dust, Taking with him my heart -- My one true love and truest trust, Did without farewell depart. I weep that I did love a stone, So smooth and cold and gray -- And by his side I was alone, Again I am to-day." And as she sings she buys a lamb, To cook upon her fire -- Her hand does touch the butcher's hand, She notes the price is higher. The butcher leans forward, and smiles, He readies his cruel knife -- After all, butchers must provide For madness and a wife. "I am no stone, so smooth and cold, And you are no Empress -- I am a knife, so cruel and bold, Therefore let me impress Upon your skin my love so true, Sweet blade and sweeter song -- I take all your coin, and life too, But I do you no wrong. For you yet love that bitter stone, So smooth, and cold, and gray -- Though by his side you were alone, Well past your wedding day. I weep that I must take your life, With this, my butcher's hand -- Weeping, I impress with my knife My love unto this lamb." The butcher does butcher gladly, He cuts with cruelest knife -- He sings as he cuts, sings madly, He wants a noble wife.
copyright (c) 2006 by william pham