I wrote this whilst hypnopompic in bed one morning in April 2021 along with The Law. Went downstairs and played this then immediately recorded hence the simplicity. 

"Morning Star" has more than one meaning but it is also the name of a pub I recommend visiting when in Lincoln.

http://www.morningstarlincoln.co.uk/site/index.php 

The "like minded" people I'm not talking about may or may not visit it. I have no idea. 


The dawn invites you to Exchequer Square
Forged by fire and ice
Where the cobbles glow like embers
Even the bankers smiles seem nice
They’re shaking hands well with the bishop
Visiting eyes see through their lens
Do they imagine they're not peasants
That the Roman empire came to an end?
There are witches in the temple
Selling idols to the kids
The rosy cross-eyed noon sun
Sprinkles gold on their eyelids
There are mysteries beneath them
That won’t be known until the end
There’s a wizards deal which must be done
As with Judas his Lords friend
There is power in the arches
In the towers and underground
Black magic in the symbols
You failed to see when looking 'round
Weary travellers drinking coffee
To stay awake with hobbled minds
There is no stain on the newly
Blood soaked masonry behind
There's a meeting of like minds
As the sun goes down on the Morning Star
The Magna Carta's just a relic
The Son of God a diesel car
The Prince of this World holds the lantern
And the key to the treasury
The light that leads to darkness
The misguided love to misery

Exchequer Square

I wrote this and as always rougly recorded it. Many thanks to Lin https://soundcloud.com/linnon -  for making it sound good by adding great singing, 15th century Spanish bells, Indian flute and other things in Saint Petersberg. 

The picture of Saint George slaying the dragon is a British  propaganda poster from WWI. 

King Arthur had a Great War
Propaganda won
Lady of Shallot they forgot you not
At last your curse will be undone

Deceiving and leading
Romance fear and fairy tales
History is screaming
And I cannot wait to see the next fantasy

Little demon you're such fun
Find your nymphs and play
Robin Hood pure good 
The son of man didn't have to pay

Deceiving and leading
Romance fear and fairy tales
The Club of Rome is bleeding
And I cannot wait to see the next fantasy

Wake up wake up wake up
To an inversion of life
Lucifer bringer of light
Inspiring art you must be alright
It's amazing just how subtle can be my pride
And I cannot wait to see the next fantasy

Superman, Age of Aquarian
Bring us together as one
Mother earth, Crowley's word 
Alien evolution

Deceiving and leading
Romance fear and fairy tales 
Reality is screaming
And I still cannot wait to see the next fantasy.

Fantasy - With Lin

I sang it again, wasn't happy with the dodgy harmony last time. Have to rush when my kid is napping.
Added book shelf percussion. 
I'm loving mono

Devious are the ways
Of my self-deceit
Funny how I'm a slave
Of what masters me
This world isn't worth one soul
Holy Spirit make me
Holy rockers rolled up
Under the Dog Star
Almost sold my life
At the smart bazaar
This world isn't worth one soul
Holy Spirit make me whole
'Cause I reject the false light
It will shine no more
I reject the false light
Foolish is this age
Lost in fantasy
Spiritual pride
Could be the death of me
This world isn't worth one soul
Holy Spirit please
I reject the false light
It will shine no more
I embrace humility
I'm nothing if not poor
I reject the false light
And what I was before
I reject the false light
Holy Spirit give me life

The False Light (Mono)

I consider all the recordings I post as works in progress 

Boring boring bore 
I might as well listen
To parrots squawk
Boring boring bore 
Never quiet 
You don't really talk
I'm tired the hour is late
Have mercy give me a break
Boring boring bore 
Your monolgue just says
You've been hoodwinked
Boring boring bore
Never listen 
You're afraid to think
I'm tired the hour is late 
Have mercy give me a break
I know you're not allowed 
To stick your head above the crowd
But remember who you are 
Boring boring bore
I might as well listen 
To parrots squawk

Boring (Remember Who You Are)

I opted to delete my attempt at percussion using pictured drum.


Creating myths and prisons
With arts as ancient as the sea
Re-writing history 

Sorrowful as a sprite 
Anubis trending in disguise 
Sure to get his prize 

Self-made Royal genes
Captive libertines
Fair as an underworld angel
Don't blame them for a thing
'Cause you're not their responsibility 

Re-writing history 

I'm running from mine
Drinking my wine
I need the true vine

Self-made Royal genes
Captive libertines
Fair as an underworld angel
Don't blame them for a thing
'Cause you're not their responsibility 
You're not their responsibility

You're Not Their Responsibility

I wrote this lullaby for my son a few months ago. Many thanks to the wonderful Aine Parkes for collaborating with me and singing beautifully.

Check out Aine Parkes on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/SmJtg


Even knights need their rest
So the good King said
Knights need their rest
And it's time for bed 

To the kingdom of your dreams 
Life's not what it seems 

To the kingdom of your dreams 
Knowledge ends
Love remains supreme 

Even knights need their rest
So the good King said
You can only do your best
And it's time 

Knights need their rest
So the good King said
Tomorrow your quest
Now it's time for bed



Even Knights Need Their Rest - Lullaby With Aine Parkes

23/12/22 17:33
Phone recording of an improv pastiche from earlier today. Meant sincerely. 

They made me look like I'm a monster 
They made me out to be a fool
They made it seem like I'm a moron 
Selfish and uncool
They said I am a danger
When I'm harmless as a dove
And you got to ask yourself 
Where's the love?
They said that I'm a liar
They implied I was insane 
They took me off the airwaves 
Said I couldn't catch the plane 
They said that I'm a danger 
When I'm harmless as a dove 
And you got to ask yourself 
Where's the love?
Be wise as a serpent 
And discern what is true 
If you don't defend other lovers
They'll soon be coming for you
They made us all out to be monsters
Made us look like we are fools
Made it seem like we are morons
Selfish and uncool
They said we are a danger
When we're harmless as a dove
And you got to ask yourself 
Where's the love?
And you got to ask yourself 
Where's the love?
And you got to take the hate
And give back love!



Give Back Love (Improv)

01/01/23 18:06 Phone Recording take 7,  written today. Work in progress 



I remember you sweeter
Before you were a tweeter
You were a spirit transmitter 
But now you are bitter
And it's a shame 
If you think no one cares
You went through pain 
I know I was there
But you always had a wise word
And a kind word too
What happened to you?
I remember you taller
And now you are smaller
Over the land you would skitter
But now you're just bitter
Ooo oo now you are bitter
Ooo oo now we are bitter
And it's a shame 
If we think no one cares
We went through pain
Yet always stayed fair
And we always had a wise word
And a kind word too
The disillusionment grew and grew and grew
I remember you fatter
And it didn't matter 
In the days before twitter
When you were not bitter
I remember you jolly
In the rain with no brolly 
I remember you shiny 
Your wit was perfectly briny
I remember you noble
Before the dragon went global 
You were never a quitter 
Hope you stop being bitter

Bitter (Original)

Phone recording added to by The Happy Somethings 

I uploaded Bitter before but in my opinion this Bitter is better.
I wrote and played it on the 1st January 2023.

I have loved The Happy Somethings since I first heard them when in Azerbaijan about 6 years ago.  We share the philosophy that if we try harder it sounds worse!  I am pleased and honoured that they spontaneously decided to colloborate and be my "ramshackle"  backing band on this song!  a bit like with Buddy Holly's apartment tapes, only I think Buddy's were better before...and Buddy was never bitter.    

link to their page: https://on.soundcloud.com/87eTU

...and in the words of The Happy Somethings:

"We have been fans of Cobbled Moth's musical output for some considerable time and when we came across this new song called 'Bitter' we just immediately loved it. One evening, bored with ourselves, and without him knowing, we decided to become his backing band... fortunately he embraced our audacity!"

credits
released January 9, 2023

Artwork by Joy.  Not meant to depict me, I'm still just a young lad...in his late 30s. 

Written by Cobbled Moth.
Copyright - all rights reserved - 
Cobbled Moth - Main vocals and acoustic guitar.
The Happy Somethings - other stuff

Lyrics:
I remember you sweeter
Now you're lost in the ether 
You were a spirit transmitter
But now you are bitter
And it's a shame
If you think no one cares
You went through pain
I know I was there
But you always had a wise word
And a kind word too
What happened to you?
I remember you taller
And now you are smaller
Over the land you would skitter
But now you're just bitter
Ooo oo now you are bitter
Ooo oo now we are bitter
And it's a shame
If we think no one cares
We went through pain
Yet always stayed fair
And we always had a wise word
And a kind word too
The disillusionment grew and grew and grew
I remember you fatter
And it didn't matter
Long before your x twitter 
When you were not bitter
I remember you jolly
In the rain with no brolly
I remember you shiny
Your wit was perfectly briny
I remember you noble
Before the dragon went global
You were never a quitter
Hope you stop being bitter


Bitter - Cobbled Moth & The Happy Somethings

Phone recording (need a new laptop to use the Tascam). I did the drawing 22 years ago, I took this photo of it then binned it, along with lots of other old things.
"Written" and recorded 23/11/23.

I'm letting go of many things
That hold me back and tie me down
I don't envy Lords and Kings
Who like us return to the ground 
Golden days I spent with you
Make me cry
They will always be written 
In the sky
I'm moving on to different things
There's no time for waiting around 
My spirit's restless my heart sings
I know what I've found
Golden days I spent with you
Make me cry
They will always be written 
In the sky
I'm moving on to better things
There's no time for messing around 
My spirit's restless my heart sings
I know what I've found

What I've Found

phone. added echo

I pray I have a good death 
At the time when I must die
I pray to have a good death 
That angels come to me 
And help me fly 
I beg to see you baby
When all of us 
Have brand new eyes
I beg to see you baby
When the first are last 
And fools are wise
I pray you'll have a good death
At the time when you shall die
I pray you have a good death
That angels come to you
That your heart's always true
When everything is new
We'll be alive

A Good Death

They did it again, THS have vastly improved my song.
What I found is that it sounds exactly as I want, even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted. 

Original phone recording: #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/tivaG

Art by Joy
Spontaneity by all of us

So thanks The Happy Somethings. Look out for new music from them:  https://thehappysomethings.bandcamp.com/

Previous collaboration with The Happy Somethings, 'Bitter' (Jan 2023)
#SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/wvSkj

Cobbled Moth & The Happy Somethings - What I've Found

Old New Babylon

phone with echo

Valley of Tears as in

https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/robinson/the_vale_of_tears.htm


Across the big wide world I roam
I know I'll never find my home
Here, in the valley of tears
Went back to school they gave me a scroll 
I turned it into a singing bowl
Full of beer 
In the valley of tears
Everything not what it seems
I was controlled by a false dream
And fear
In the valley of tears 
In weakness God is strong 
In meekness I belong 
Across the big wide world I roam
I know I'll never find my home
Here
In the valley of tears
Hope lies beyond this land
All the faithful understand 
And we're cheered 
In the valley of tears 



In the Valley of Tears

You don't have to believe me
I'm not pleased I was right
I'm not proud of my life
I just see certain things 
There're lessons I've learned 
Wickedness in high places
I've discerned 
Are you hip to the subliminal
Why believe the words of criminals 
Put faith in this world 
You'll be let down 
It's far worse than you feared 
Yet it's far better too
There's nothing they can do
To stop love
We're in for dark days 
There's nothing they can do
To stop love
We're in for dark days 
There's nothing they can do
With their digital cage
I just see certain things 
Many times I've been burned
The powers of darkness 
Everywhere discerned
Are you hip to the subliminal?
Why believe the words of criminals 
Put faith in this world 
You'll be let down 




Faith in this World

Written 2/3/24 
Bathroom, phone, Spanish guitar with very old strings 

As I try to feel good 
Relive my childhood 
And worry about future loss and gain
Real bombs are flying
Real children dying
To condone it is to be insane 
If I do who will complain?
Denial, got to give the world a smile
Denial, it never goes out of style 
Real children dying
All the adults lying
Blind eye, deaf ear, hard heart, big row
I remember childhood
I used to be good
Got to be something to do somehow
And it needs to be done now
Denial, got to give the world a smile
Denial, it never goes out of style 


Denial

Written and recorded before breakfast. I  later re-did backing though and used subscription to re-upload 

Please let me let you down
I'm just a clown
My mind isn't sound 
It's known around town
Could you let me let you down?
Do let me lay about 
I've never been stout 
In my struggle with doubt 
Until I get gout
Please let me lay about 
Why don't we embrace love?
Why don't we embrace love?
Why don't we embrace love?
Embrace love
Would you let me let you lie?
Let your heart calcify 
I couldn't let myself comply 
Quite brave for a wise guy 
Would you let me let you lie?
Never could let you let me down
With words and deeds that confound
So let's wear a long gown 
And watch the sun going down 
Never never never let me let you down
Never let me let you down

Never Let Me Let You Down

On phone voice recorder

Where the mysterious meets the familiar 
Where the hilarious meets the profound
A silly serenade 
Seriously well-formed 
A needed healing sound 

A goodwill melody that cleans the air
Ironic words betraying pain, love and care
I am rebuked with insight
Stilled by shame
Until I join the flow

Reviving art is only made by human struggle 
In living laughter and melancholy crowned 
A simple happy song something of a riddle
And the needed healing sound

Needed Healing Sound

Phone recording take 1 million
2/10/24


My eyes are stinging and my temples throb
Haven't done what I could
I'd take myself to bed right now 
But that would be too good 
Deserters, cowards and two-bit crooks
Live more successfully 
Even P.T. Barnam and Edward Bernays
Would not have gone near me
I'm a lost cause in this community 
I'm a lost cause and that's alright you see
I'm not a loner but I'm ostracised 
Or maybe I withdrew 
The Monasterys are for warriors 
And out here I'm taboo
Double-minded and triple blind
I've seen the depths of despair 
I admit I feel touched by grace
Just been a tourist there
I'm a lost cause on this thoroughfare 
I'm a lost cause and I don't really care
I'll leave it all give away my guitar 
If I could stay on the road
But that's untrue in all honesty 
I'm stalling for a cheat code
I'm a lost cause in this strange abode 
I'm a lost cause in this episode 
I'm a lost cause 
I'm a lost cause -  of you and yours






Lost Cause

Perhaps this was always like this

Consequences 
Lives destroyed 
Foreshadowed at the start
No Hobgoblins to blame
Enough to squash your heart
Threshold Juniper 
Nature's mean
Purify me please 
Worldwise Holloween 
-------------
No Hobgoblins to blame
Enough to squash your heart
Threshold Juniper 
Nature's mean
Purify me please 
Whole world Holloween 
Threshold Juniper 
Nature's mean
Purify me please 
Worldwise Holloween

Holloween

the wordplay makes sense in UK

PS
The Cobbled Moth does not feel represented by any political party and does not align with any ideology. 

Mamma was an aggressor 
With step daddies mean
They drove him into a nicer place
Now he wants to be clean 
He's got nothing left
Nothing left 
Labour isn't here anymore 
Got nothing left nothing left
Someone better show that that boy he's not alone
Dehumanised without credit 
In the social matriarchy 
He's far too aggressive 
He's going down and I know just what the judge means
He's got nothing left
Nothing left 
Labour isn't here anymore 
He's got nothing left nothing left
Someone better show that that boy he's not alone
There's always a way out though
A new purpose to find
Other perspectives different meaning
His fathers embraced the grind
He's got nothing left
Nothing left 
Labour isn't here anymore 
He's got nothing left nothing left
Someone better show that that boy he's not alone

Nothing Left (rough)

Phone recording 


Clockwork man
Fraternity 
Compass square 
PR machine 
Castle darkness 
Charity, ground control
Ultimate goal 
Clockwork man
He's not wise enough
But he's one of us
Clockwork man 
One fine morning
He'll wake and take his place
As the face of the dark tower 
For about an hour 
Clockwork man
Clockwork clan 
Scholastic plot 
Wind them up and watch them rot
Pawns for order, sacrifice 
For new machines 
Love quarantine
Clockwork man
He's not wise enough
But he's one of us
Clockwork man









Clockwork Man (New)

This is an old song that was orginally called 'Flowers in Your Head'  begun in the late 70s by my dad and his friend. He completed it in the 90s and recorded it with a local band (we can't fully remember it). Having not come up with much myself lately,  I was inspired again when remembering how much I liked this, so I re-wrote it again with some different words,  and probably ruined it. 
Melody by Rob Benson (Verse, Chorus) and The Cobbled Moth (Middle 8, or whatever its called). Lyrics by The Cobbled Moth, and Hoppo (who wrote the first verse and part of second).

Cooler is slang for jail. The Song of Songs is worth a study. Beno of LCR FM is in there and the Azerbaijan link. 

Phone recording 24.12.24. 

When I'm feeling lonely and my life is dead and I feel so useless that my face is red 
And I know I can't get away 
The cooler's in my head 
The coolers in my head, the cooler's in my head no no no no oh
Well I turn the radio way down low DJ D says not to go
Back to Stockholm yeah I'm alone just like they said 
The coolers in my head, cooler in my head no no no no oh
You're locked up in a teacup
Diagnoses all wrong 
Bad domain, rage in vain
For lost Song of Songs
Even though you fled
The coolers in your head cooler in your head wo oh oh oh
Where we met was Persia but the north turned red, later left turned right
The same families led 
And I know I can't get away the coolers in my head 
The coolers in my head, cooler in my head No no no no oh 
Cooler in my head, Cooler in my head oh oh oh 




The Cooler's in my Head (collaboration)

Recorded 13th January 2025. 

I joined SC ten years ago and haven't yet shared a half hour long track, weird that :) 

(Music created by AI makes me feel ill)

I played in a band many years ago, never sang and never performed solo. 

I later used Audacity to cut out some noise where I dropped a cup and once where I took too long before starting the next song, and added reverb.

Photo - Me in Lincoln Cathedral

1. The Cooler's in My Head 
2. Bitter
3. Going Down This Road Feeling Bad (Traditional)
4. Lost Cause 
5. I Won't Play Along
6. Jaguar
7. Tree of Life Blues
8. What I've Found 
9. Don't Blow Your Cool (The Caravelles)
10. Needed Healing Sound
11. Exchequer Square
12. Give Back Love (Featuring misremembered lyrics)

The Cobbled Moth Live at Home

The ancient Greeks had two distinct concepts of time: Chronos and Kairos.  

"Tombstones often display the dates of an individual’s birth and death, separated by a dash. That dash represents the person’s Chronos time on earth and how it was spent.
Kairos time, on the other hand, points to the right, or opportune, moment (the supreme moment), a moment of indeterminate time in which events happen. Kairos is vital time, God’s time. While chronos is “tick-tock” time, kairos is a powerful moment when time stands still. Kairos time is when God interrupts our routine and touches us so deeply that we are forever changed".

Photo - Mount Athos, Greece 

I believed in love alone
I believed in rolling stone 
I believed belief is vain
When I was young when I was crazed
Just a kairos ago
Can you believe what's happened to us in us look-see 
It happens in no time 
Time
Outside of time
Just a Kairos ago
I believed in love alone
I believed that I was grown 
I believed belief is vain 
I'm shown more but cannot say 
What's been happening today
Just a kairos ago
Can you believe what's happened to us in us look-see 
It happens in no time 
Time
Outside of time
Just a Kairos to go
A kairos ago 
Kairos never goes
A kairos ago

Kairos

I wrote this a couple of days ago and worked on the lyrics a bit then recorded just now on my phone. The starting point was thinking of a Syd Barrett lyric which mirrored Elvis "I don't care if the sun don't shine".

Photo - Usher Gallery, Lincoln, April 2025


Yes I mind when the sun won't shine
And I must live in shadow
When the dry spell comes must carry on 
Until there's no tomorrow
Getting up I know I'll fall again
And when I'm not wanted at all 
By the grace of God I don't despair
But for goodness sake of course I care

You bet it's true and I get the blues
Whilst you suffer for nothing 
As I play kick back watch melting wax 
Then I'm late again rushing 
Falling down I know I'll rise again 
And while I'm hated I stand tall 
Had to accept life isn't fair 
But for goodness sake of course I care
For goodness sake of course I care 








 





Of Course I Care

Written this morning

Starting point was current or remembered feelings associated with what became the title.

Photo - Old City, Baku

How do you do it baby
How do you do it love?
We will never get along
How do you write those songs?
How do you do it bitter sweet
You're just a person when we meet
You and I don't get along
Song bird my life's absurd 
Sing the word I'm yours 
My love false dream
Song bird my life's absurd
Sing the word I'm yours
My love my pain
How do you do it baby
How do you do it love
You could never right this wrong
How do you write those songs?
You hold no secret bitter sweet
You're just a person when we meet
We will never get along
Song bird my life's absurd 
Sing the word I'm yours 
My love false dream
Song bird my life's absurd 
Sing the word I'm yours
My love my pain (and again)
Song bird  sing the word we're yours
Ooo oo ooo
Song bird the songs were never yours 
Our love our pain
My love my pain
How do you do it baby how do you do it love?
We will never get along
How do you write those songs?



Those Songs

Photo: Blessed Fools-for-Christ Mikhail and Nikolai. Photo: Anatoly Goriainov

Wisdom starts with fear of the Lord
So the Psalmist said 
Wisdom starts with fear of the Lord
Is the Psalmist dead? 
The faith is by experience 
Not found in human sophistry 
I couldn't believe  
So came to see yes
I found my fortune
And it didn't come a day too soon
I found my fortune 
My treasure 
And I pray you find yours -  
Palaces of silver and gold
All must pass away 
Seek the man who never grows old 
Moth to a flame 
Wintertime is cruel 
Agreed the fool with nothing on his feet
Then he cried paradise is sweet 
I found my fortune
It didn't come a day too soon
I found my fortune 
My treasure 
May you find yours too 
I found my fortune
It didn't come a day too soon 
My treasure 
And I pray you find yours too 


Fortune

Phone recording 10.8.25

Not that I've always got the light. But I've always got the light, to get. 

It's a good job that I don't have any pride
'Cause we're being taken for a hell of a ride
They take our freedom they may take our homes
Throw me in a well I wouldn't be alone 
I have always got the light
I have always got the light
The sins of us adults do the children harm
Old McDonald's got to sell the farm
Sweet indifference causes cancer too
I've got no time to loose I don't know about you
I have always got the light
I have always got the light
Mercy mercy mercy please have mercy on me 
Sweet Lord have mercy on me
I have always got the light
I have always got the light

Always Got the Light

I put "music" to this poem

the fire rises in me

by Symeon the New Theologian 
949 to 1022 AD

English version by Ivan M. Granger
Original Language Greek 

The fire rises in me,
     and lights up my heart.
Like the sun!
Like the golden disk!
Opening, expanding, radiant --
     Yes!
     -- a flame! 

I say again:
     I don't know
     what to say! 

I'd fall silent
-- If only I could --
but this marvel
     makes my heart leap,
it leaves me open mouthed
     like a fool, 

urging me
     to summon words
     from my silence


The Fire Rises in Me (Words by Saint Symeon the New Theologian 949 to 1022 AD)

Even Knights - Original version

AI-generated  - 

The Cobbled Moth, active  on SC since 2014  with a second page called Cobbled Moth Regenerated, is a lo-fi solo project creating intimate, home-recorded music using a Tascam pocket studio, acoustic guitar, Telecaster, and percussion. The 2024 single "What I've Found", released in collaboration with The Happy Somethings, received a positive review on Joyzine.org for its emotional depth and raw sound, and both "What I've Found" and "Bitter" (also with The Happy Somethings) received radio play.  Collaborations include Aine Parkes on the lullaby "Even Knights Need Their Rest", Lin on "Fantasy", and Sal (Sarah) Lettes on "By the Way", with all tracks available for free download on SoundCloud.


PS
All of my uploads were made using zero AI -  If they're poor it's entirely my fault. 

"Single" REVIEW: https://joyzine.org/2024/01/10/single-review-cobbled-moth-the-happy-somethings-what-ive-found/

*First page: The Cobbled Moth (Started  2014) - www.soundcloud.com/thecobbledmoth 

COLLABORATIONS so far:

With The Happy Somethings (both had radio play):

'What I've Found' 
#SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/fcje6

'Bitter' 
#SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/fSVcs

With Aine Parkes: 

'Even Knights Need Their Rest' (Lullaby written for my son) https://on.soundcloud.com/aQrSk

With Lin: 'Fantasy' #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/eRK2m

With Sal (Sarah) Lettes:

'By the Way' #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/U8eFC

All for free download

Cobbled Moth Regenerated

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