Day Eighteen - Feralis, Pantera

Nouvelle Vague - Marian (cover, Sisters of Mercy)
pressed in 2004


















Consider Kafka's Hunger Artist. Starved for attention and food, his fasting is his art. In protest, he hones a taste and civility so fine that he cannot eat at all.






And so proud is this Hungerkünstler, that he displays and sings his finery and taste for all who care to listen and see.

"in a sea of faces, in a sea of doubt
in this cruel place your voice above the maelstrom
in the wake of this ship of fools, i'm falling further down
if you can see me, Marian, reach out and take me home

i hear you calling Marian
across the water
across the wave
i hear you calling Marian
can you hear me calling you to save me, save me, save me from the grave

Marian
Marian

there's a weight above me
and the pressure is all too strong
to breathe deep, breathe long and hard
to take the water down and go to sleep
to sink still further beneath the fatal wave
Marian i think i'm drowning
this sea is killing me

i hear you calling Marian
across the water
across the wave
i hear you calling Marian
can you hear me calling you to save me, save me, save me from the grave

Marian
Marian
Marian"

Eventually, the Hungerkünstler is buried under the straw on which he lived and is replaced by a young panther.













This noble body, equipped with everything necessary, almost to the point of bursting, even appeared to carry freedom around with it. That seem to be located somewhere or other in its teeth, and its joy in living came with such strong passion from its throat that it was not easy for spectators to keep watching.
- Ian Johnston (translated, cut)