Haskell's Song

[bnewman]

Haskell is one of my imaginary friends, a representation of a part of my own self that accompanies me on my inward journeys. He has the form of a small, silver dragon — actually, a silicon dragon, or if you're familiar with D&D dragon types, something of the character of a mercury dragon. The part of me that he represents is wit and mental agility, and his name is a pun on both the programming language and the Hebrew word השכל, which means "intellect".

Haskell's full backstory must await another song, but suffice it to say that he was not always so tame — not always so accustomed to the jesses and the glove as a kept falcon — and that he played a significant role in my struggle with my bipolar nature.

lyrics by Benjamin Newman

ttto: "Hunter" by Heather Dale

listen to this song
 

/ C G / Em D C ... / C G / Am G C D ... /

 

/ C G / Am G C / D Em D / G C D ... /

 

Don't think me a stranger

I'm only the half of your soul

I'd give you bright wings and a sparkling

Wit you can scarcely control

 

Don't try to bind me

Just give me permission to play

And I'll give you this spark in your eyes

And the words that you say

 

/ C D / C G C D / C D Em D / F C D - / Am G D ... /

 

Slip the jesses, my friend

This dragon is yours from beginning to end

When the looping and diving are done, and I land

Let me come back to your hand

Let me come back to your hand

 

I have no illusions

To downplay the damage I've done

Still, I laugh at the thought of a life

That can simply exult in a pun

 

I'm content to be smaller

And dazzling but not blinding bright

But the moon's on the meadow, and I'm longing for flight

And its dizzying height

 

Slip the jesses, my friend...

 

Slip the jesses, my friend...