Throwing Muses : Swollen

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"Swollen"

(written by Kristin Hersh)

Ten times whispered, one time yelled

The swollen tongues says more than the eyes

I'm not better off

Screw the tepid stars

Never had a shot

I'd like to keep you in the dark

The swollen river overflows its banks

Took off my shoes

Glass cut my feet

I'd like to keep you, keep you in the dark

Thank your lucky stars

I never had a shot

I'd like to keep you but I like you better gone

Never had a shot

Thank your lucky stars

First it whispered, then it fell

The swollen heart avoids the eyes

I'll sleep it off

Thank your lucky stars

Never had a shot

I keep you in the dark

Thank your lucky stars

Never had a shot

I like you better gone

I'd like to keep you, keep you in the dark

(The mouth runs off, serves you right)

Thank your lucky stars (for tanking, I'm thinking)

I never had a shot (here comes a dirty fight)

I'd like to keep you but I like you better gone

(The mouth runs off, serves you right)

Never had a shot (for tanking, I'm thinking)

Thank your lucky stars (here comes a dirty fight)

I keep you in the dark (the mouth runs off)

Thank your lucky stars (serves you right)

Never had a shot (for tanking, I'm thinking)

And I like you better gone

(Here comes a dirty fight)

I'd like to keep you, keep you in the dark

(The mouth runs off, serves you right) ...

CASH Music

TRIVIA:

- This song has not yet been officially released.

WORDS FROM KRISTIN:

""Swollen" is Marilyn Munster; the last "normal" Throwing Muses song. This is, of course, just a demo, but you can tell she wears trim blouses and pumps, smiles politely and probably eats animals that don't have two heads. It appears, though, that when "Swollen" left the building, she left the door open. Her sweet shuffle and actual chorus (of all things) was followed immediately by songs made of fractured instrumentals, unattached bridges and free-floating verses who tap dance for a minute then run away, only to reappear in a different outfit, a different song, later in the program.

It is not un-beautiful to be in pieces, as long as those pieces are fully realized, so I'm happy to let these strangenesses be as they are. But after living in this fractured world lately, hearing "Swollen" again was like a gentle lady sitting down next to me on a park bench, Frisbees whipping by. I like Throwing Muses Frisbees, but gentle ladies are comforting, especially after taking a bunch of Frisbees to the face.

I want to thank you Strange Angels again for allowing both the ladies and the Frisbees a chance to come to fruition in the studio. The NPR-ish model we emulate is a valuable one. Sure, forty bucks is a lot to pay for a coffee mug, but if you want no corporate involvement in your radio, you pay the forty bucks and take or leave the mug. I'm thrilled to be sending you the new CD that we made together, I love it when you visit me in the studio or take me up on my offer of free admission to shows, but I find that, for the most part, you all are interested only in having the music continue. I will always write new songs, but without the ability to fund recording sessions, you probably wouldn't hear them. Thank you for wanting to hear them.

Love, Kristin"

Don't worry, dance in the road.