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Al Stewart

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HELEN AND CASSANDRA

According to the myths and legends 
At the fringes of our memory 
Paris stole the queen of Sparta 
And carried her across the sea 
As they fled, he never dreamt 
That he held the world in his grip 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 

From Mycenae comes Agamemnon 
And the Greeks of the city-states 
Laden with their bronzen weapons 
They're waiting at the Trojan Gates 
As the arrow flies and Achilles falls 
Does she raise the wind to her lips? 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 

It's funny how the story lingers 
It's probably a myth of course 
A whisper in the ear of Homer 
Perhaps there never was a horse 
She could have turned the head of Paris 
With the gentle sway of her hips 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 

Oh Cassandra, what did you know 
You who bring bad news wherever you go 
You had the gift to see the future 
From Apollo so it's said 
And he made no one believe you 
When you would not share his bed 
Oh Cassandra, what did you see 
As you walked the lonely road of your certainty 
Gazing at the ruined city 
That your warnings could not save 

Oh Cassandra, so still and so grave Cassandra 
The Bronze Age kingdoms tumble 
The cities fade one by one 
The walls of Mycenae crumble 
The Dark Age has begun 
And the truth is lost in the ancient dust 
Yet the memory forever persists 
Of Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships 
Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships

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© 2023 Al Stewart.

Front page photo: 📷 Randall Armor.

 

 

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notes
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  1. 1
    Antarctica 4:05
    0:00/4:05
  2. 2
    On the Border 3:46
    0:00/3:46
  3. 3
    Gina in the Kings Road 3:49
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  4. 4
    Last Days of the Century/Constantinople/Last Days 7:25
    0:00/7:25
  5. 5
    Year of the Cat 9:25
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  6. 6
    Genie on a Table Top 3:47
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  7. 7
    Night Train to Munich 4:25
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  8. 8
    Time Passages 6:35
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  9. 9
    House of Clocks 2:58
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  10. 10
    Roads to Moscow 8:45
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  11. 11
    Angry Bird 2:44
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  12. 12
    Coldest Winter 5:58
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  13. 13
    Princess Olivia 3:00
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  14. 14
    Hanno the Navigator 4:17
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