Gront Spoketer - The Stray Light of Marrow Fen

A tiny will-o'-the-wisp adopts Gront the Warden, and he insists it isn't his problem while quietly leaving the lantern lid open for it. Upbeat, happy Gothic Americana with glockenspiel and pizzicato cello. #HappySong #GothicAmericana Genre & Mood: Upbeat Gothic Americana / Happy Dark Country, bouncy shuffle, deadpan, warm, stoic Key Instrumentation: Twinkling glockenspiel, pizzicato cello, fast acoustic guitar flatpicking, walking upright bass, off-beat hand claps, low male choir, boot-stomp Story Themes: A stray will-o'-the-wisp, a gruff warden in denial, a bog crossing, a lantern left open on purpose, small kindnesses #HappySong #GothicAmericana #DarkCountry #Gront #TheWarden #WillOTheWisp #FeelGoodFolk Lyrics: Marrow Fen at the close of the day, Fog on the boardwalk, the light going gray. Heard a thin hum by the rotted gate, A pale green wisp, about the size of a date. Bobbing at my heel like a lost little pup, I said, "Go home," and I hitched my pack up. It trailed me a mile through the reeds and the rain, I said, "Not my problem," and I said it again. (Choir) Left of the puddle! Right of the root! (Choir) Tiny light tagging along on the route! I walk a bit slower, I'd never say why, Just watching the ground, and the weather, and the sky. It's not my problem, it's not my pet, Just a green little flicker I haven't shaken yet. It rides my hat brim, hums off-key, Bold as a sparrow and twice as free. "Not my problem," I told it, twice. (Choir) Sure you did, Gront! Sure you did! It hummed right back like it thought that was nice. Stopped at a tavern to dry out my coat, The landlord squinted at the glow by my throat. "Is that your pet?" "It is not," I said, As it dozed on the brim of my hat like a bed. Next morning the lantern lid sat ajar, I truly don't know how it got that far. A green spark curled in the blue, soft and cold, And slept like a cat in the cool of its hold. (Choir) Lid's standing open! Someone's inside! (Choir) Small green blink in the blue lantern's tide! I'd close the lid, but I haven't yet, A lantern needs air. That's all. You bet. It's not my problem, it's not my pet, Just a green little flicker I haven't shaken yet. It rides my hat brim, hums off-key, Bold as a sparrow and twice as free. "Not my problem," I told it, twice. (Choir) Sure you did, Gront! Sure you did! It hummed right back like it thought that was nice. Midway across on the fen's soft sludge, Fog rolled in like a wet wool smudge. One wrong step and the bog would've won, But a green spark hung where the planks weren't gone. I stepped where it floated, firm and dry. "Lucky," I muttered. It chimed up high. Strummed it a tune till it dozed off tight, Little green blink in the blue lantern's light. Tomorrow I'll find it a proper place, A mossy hollow, some warm safe space. Tomorrow. Probably. Possibly. Soon. (Choir) Sure you will, Gront! Under the moon! It's not my problem, it's not my pet, Just a green little flicker I haven't shaken yet. It rides my hat brim, hums off-key, Bold as a sparrow and twice as free. "Not my problem," I told it, twice. (Choir) Sure you did, Gront! Sure you did! It hummed right back like it thought that was nice. Moon on the fen and the road runs long, A teal-colored lantern and a faint little song. Pipe smoke rings drifting up to the sky, One for the wisp. Don't ask me why.