The other day my friend Nikki mentioned how much she loved the song “Queen of Argyle”, and how she wished someone had written such a thing for her. Wheels started to turn somewhere in the dungeons of my mind, and before long I had given the song a gothic makeover in Nikki’s honor. She claims to appreciate it, but then, she is VERY polite…
Queen of Air and Darkness
(apologies to Andy Stewart)
For Nikki
Gentlemen it is me duty to inform you of one beauty,
Though it’s only fair to warn you to be careful of her wiles
Though I own she is a creature without peer in form and feature
She’s the Queen of Air and Darkness and she’s deadly when she smiles.
And if you could have seen her there; boys, if you had just been there;
The serpent’s in her movements and the tiger’s in her smile
All the flowers bloomed at midnight, and preened there in the pale light
In hopes the Queen of Darkness would tarry for a while.
On the evening that I mentioned I passed without intention
Through a ring of stony columns that have stood a long, long while
And in that haunted place, I soon was face to face
With the Queen of Air and Darkness and her paralyzing smile.
And if you could have seen her there; boys, if you had just been there;
The serpent’s in her movements and the tiger’s in her smile
All the flowers bloomed at midnight, and preened there in the pale light
In hopes the Queen of Darkness would tarry for a while.
So my lads I needs must leave you; my intention’s not to grieve you
Nor would I deceive you, I must leave you for a while
I must find some way to gain her, to court her and attain her
For the Queen of Air and Darkness stole my heart with just a smile.
And if you could have seen her there; boys, if you had just been there;
The serpent’s in her movements and the tiger’s in her smile
All the flowers bloomed at midnight, and preened there in the pale light
In hopes the Queen of Darkness would tarry for a while.
Paul Haynie
6/8/2006