1. |
Prelude In Ripon
03:13
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Prelude In Ripon (words and music Tim Hunter)
1855 - I celebrate my graduation
But there’s too much distraction
Can I regain my concentration?
In Ripon, In Ripon, In Ripon
My Inspiration is Imagination
In The Cathedral - Singing in The Congregation
I’m mesmerised by the carvings
Of The Rabbit and The Gryphon
In Ripon, In Ripon, In Ripon
My Inspiration is Imagination
An Academic life’s in front of me
But will I still have time for fantasy?
Like telling stories by the sea
There’ll be a new journey for me
From now on (from now on)
I need an outlet for creativity
For the stories I told last year in Whitby (In Whitby)
From Now On, From Now On
From Now On, From Now On
My Inspiration is Imagination
From Ripon
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2. |
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1. The Ancient Rectory Of Croft
(Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter, with some words taken from an early poem by Lewis Carroll)
Dodgson: Dear Diary, July 1871 – On my way from Christchurch, Oxford to Croft and then onto Whitby for my Brother’s wedding. My new book frustrates me, I still haven’t got a title for it.
Dodgson: (Chorus) Fair Stands the
Ancient Rectory, The Rectory of Croft,
The Sun shines bright upon it,
The Breezes whisper soft on,
The Rectory of Croft
I went down to Christchurch, Oxford, to gaze upon the dreaming spires,
the pinnacles, the archways, the courtyards, but I loved to return
to Yorkshire
(Chorus)
Three months every year we lived in Ripon, where my father was the
Canon. Every summer we went to the coast and Whitby was the place I liked the most
Christchurch, it never like home Though I loved the libraries and the halls
The portraits of the great,the stillness and the grandeur, I still longed to see the Old Rectory
(Chorus)
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3. |
Welcome Back To Whitby
03:11
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2. Welcome Back To Whitby (Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter)
Smith: Welcome back to Whitby, Mr Dodgson, Sir. Here is your room key, can I have your signature? Right there, please. And what time would you like breakfast?
Dodgson: Quarter to eight, I musn’t be late. Tomorrow’s
my brother’s wedding – and I have to officiate.
Smith: Good night sir, I hope you sleep well, If you need
anything, just ring the bell.
William (to himself) It’s no good I can’t sleep. Sarah, my
daughter, is still missing, She disappeared from the
drawing room, But I know where she’s been, I got a
message from The Looking Glass, someone called The
Red Queen, who’s got inside Sarah’s head, She said:
Red Queen: She’s given into temptation and she’s playing in my chess game. I’ll indoctrinate her I am changing her brain.
Smith: I got an autographed copy of Alice in Wonderland, I think I understand – there’s only one man, who can help me now. I think there is a connection between Whitby and Lewis Carroll, I know Carroll’s real name ‘cos the signatures are the same.
I know there is a connection between Whitby and Lewis Carroll, this is where Dodgson came, this is where he found his first fame, He had a publication in the Whitby Gazette. It was Wilhelm Von Schmidt, I will never forget, ‘Cos I’m sure it’s about me, William Smith, that story, I’ve known him for a while never needed his help before, Mr Dodgson will you talk to me?
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4. |
Interlude # 1
00:28
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3. Interlude #1 (Words: Tim Hunter)
Smith: Good evening Mr Dodgson Sir, did your day go well?
Dodgson: Yes, very well thank you Mr Smith, it’s been a great day of festivity in Sleights. The happy couple are now on their way to Chester. Smith: Before you retire for the evening, Sir, there’s something I’d like to ask you, please.
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5. |
Save Our Lass
03:17
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4. Save Our Lass
(Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter)
Smith: Please Mr Dodgson can you save our lass?
She’s a prisoner in a magic Looking Glass. Please Mr Dodgson can you save our girl?
‘Cos somehow she’s been trapped in another world. I haven’t seen her for days on end. The Red Queen seems to be her strange new friend. Tell her stories like you did on the beach many years ago – maybe she can be reached.
Dodgson: Mr Smith, I’m sorry to hear about Sarah but I think you might be overestimating my abilities. Why would she listen to me?
Smith:Mr Dodgson, let me tell you I know that Lewis Carroll is your alter ego [holds up copy of Alice] The signature in this book looks just like the one in the signing book you signed last night. You seem to understand people’s
fantasies, I’m sure she’ll listen to you, so maybe you can set her free.
Dodgson: In their late teens, young minds can be tempted by The Red Queen’s charm. I’ll try my best to make sure she comes to no harm [sings] Yes I understand how young people feel. But being Lewis Carroll’s something I conceal, so, it’s a secret, OK, is that a deal? And I’ll do what I can to help her spirit heal.
Smith: Thank you Mr Carroll please help her return, your secret’s safe with us, no one will ever learn. Thank you Mr Carroll help this
nightmare end, Your secret’s safe with us Mr Carroll my friend.
Can you bring her on home to me, Mr Carroll, Mr Carroll? Talk to her through that looking glass, she won’t talk to me,Mr Carroll?
If you can bring her on home to me, you’ll be my hero for eternity,
Mr Carroll
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6. |
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5. Living In A Looking Glass World
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter,
with some lyrics taken from Lewis Carroll’s poems)
Smith: The drawing room is open, Sir, if you’d like to start looking for clues. Dodgson: Well, It looks like an ordinary looking glass. Hold on, I think I can hear someone, Sarah? Is that you?
Sarah: I’m Lost!
Dodgson: She’s Living in a Looking Glass World. She’s just a girl, her mind’s in a whirl. She still haunts me Phantomwise and Contrariwise,
I’m still hypnotised.
She’s lost in someone else’s dream
She thinks she’s The Queen
She’ll dance on a moonbeam
Sarah: I’m In A Looking Glass World.
I’m In A Looking Glass World
I’m lost in someone else’s dream
Now I’m the Queen, I’ll dance on a moonbeam,
I’m in a Looking glass world
I’m lost in a looking glass world
I’m just a girl, my mind’s in a whirl
I know I can never return
Until my dream, my dream has unfurled
Dodgson: To The Looking Glass World
It was Alice that said
Sarah: I’ve a sceptre in hand I’ve a crown on my head, In the Looking Glass World
Let the Looking Glass creatures whatever they be, Come and dine with The Red Queen the White Queen and me, In the Looking Glass World
And fill up the glasses as quick as you can and
Sprinkle the tables with buttons and bran.
In the Looking Glass World
Put cats in the coffee and mice in the tea
And welcome Queen Alice with thirty times three.
Sarah: I’ve have read about the Jabberwock. It’s coming after me! Dodgson: Jabberwocky?
It can’t be! It is still inside my head – it isn’t published yet.
Are you in the future, Sarah?
Please listen to me now Sarah, I’ll save you from the Jabberwock, I’ll come and rescue you, Sarah.
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7. |
Jabberwocky
03:14
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6. Jabberwocky (Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Lewis Carroll)
Dodgson: ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.
Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun the frumious Bandersnatch!”
He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey
wood, And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through
and through, The vorpal blade
went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
He chortled in his joy.
’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
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8. |
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7. Missing Pieces Of The Puzzle
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter)
Dodgson: I stepped through The Looking Glass, from the past, to be with you, Sarah, in 2021.
Do you remember those stories on the beach?
Your father’s asked me to help you but not to judge or preach.
Let’s find Missing Pieces Of The Puzzle, of the muddle we’re both in, Oh let’s begin.
The first thing you must do is stop trusting machines, they’re not computers - they’re just, The Red Queen’s recruiters.
Then you have a game of chess which you must play, with The Red Queen, in which you must win to get away.
Let’s find Missing Pieces Of The Puzzle
Of the muddle we’re both in, oh let’s begin
My new novel needs a title,
I need someone to sing my new poems
It’s frustrating and my publisher’s waiting.
Let’s find Missing Pieces Of The Puzzle, help each other,
we’ll both win, oh let’s begin
Firstly tell your friends to save their minds, I think you call
it ‘going offline’
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9. |
Going Offline
03:43
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8. Going Offline
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter)
Sarah: Ok, it’s time to log out, guys – if you think you can.
Do you really need to show, everything you know, all of the time?
Do you really have to share, with people everywhere, your secrets on line?
Chorus: Oh oh can’t you see we need some privacy? Oh oh you and me we need some mystery? I’m Going Offline, I’ll loosen my mind
Going Offline, Going Offline
I’m Going Offline, I’m Going Offline, don’t know what I’ll find, When I’m offline, When I’m offline, I’m Going Offline
We do we always meet in cyberspace? Oh Oh Oh, Why can’t we sometimes meet in a real place? Face to Face?
We don’t always need to post, don’t always have to boast, the real world is fine
‘Cos it’s really not a game, It’ll never win you fame, it’s time to decline
chorus
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10. |
Back To The 70s
03:18
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9. Back To The 70s
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter)
Dodgson: (to himself) I wonder if I can get a copy of my new book now, in 2021? It might still be selling. (music starts) Sarah, please stop playing that strange guitar! You’ve got to come home now. Your Father’s worried about you.
Sarah: I’m not sure I want to come home, I’ve got friends here! Dodgson: Oh Dear, let’s go for a walk. Let’s have a talk.
Dodgson: Is this 2021? Well, it’s not my idea of fun. One thing that I just can’t see is why everybody is dressed like me
Sarah: It’s the Steampunk Convention
Maybe I should have mentioned
Dodgson: They seem to prefer the past
Come on girl we’re going back
Together: (chorus) Back to the 70s my friend
Back to The 70s, Back to the 70s
Right on back to the 1870s
Back to the 70s,Are you coming back with me?
Sarah: I’m not sure.
Back to the 70s,Are you coming back with me?
Sarah: I’ll think about it.
Dodgson: Think I just saw the Walrus
And the White Rabbit’s following us
Let’s sit down on that stone
And work out how we both get home
Sarah: The White Rabbit and Walrus
They’re my friends – can’t they join us?
Dodgson: Well I don’t know, we’ll have to see
We’ve got to get back home for tea
chorus
Sarah: OK I’m coming home, I’m coming back for tea. But I don’t wanna be alone So my friends are joining me, OK?
Together: Back to the 70s
my friend
Back to the 70s,
Back to the 70s
Right on back to
the 1870s
Back to the 70s,
Sarah: Yes I’m coming back with you
Back to the 70s,
Sarah: Yes I’m coming back with you
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11. |
Wondersand
03:30
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10. Wondersand
(Music: Tim Hunter, Lyrics: Tim Hunter with some lines taken from Lewis Carroll’s poems)
Dodgson: This is no ordinary sand, Sarah, this is
Wondersand!
Sarah:You know I’ve got a chess game today?
Well all my Chessmen have run away.
It’s all because the Red Queen says,
Only ‘Chess persons’ can play.
Dodgson: Let’s take a walk
see what we find, I’ll tell you stories
of mine, like Alice in Wonderland
Will you join me, take my hand
And we’ll Walk on the Wondersand
We’ll find your Chessmen pretty soon
They’re probably all hiding
in a sand dune I’ve got a
new poem we can do
I wonder if you could write me a tune?
And, can you do addition?
What’s 1 and 1 and 1 and 1 and 1?
Can you do subtraction? take 9 from 8
Sarah: 9 from 8 I can’t do
Can you do division? Divide a loaf by a knife –
What’s the answer to that?
Let’s ask the Cheshire Cat Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Let’s take a walk see what we find,
I’ll tell you stories of mine,
like Alice in Wonderland
Will you join me, take my hand
And we’ll Walk on the Wondersand
I found your Castles – they’re here in the sand, the Queen and King are getting a tan.
The Bishop’s taking a dip in the sea
The Pawns are coming to walk with me
Let’s take a walk see what we find ,
I’ll tell you stories of mine
Like Alice in Wonderland
Will you join me, take my hand
And we’ll Walk on the Wondersand
Dodgson: Even if we have to clear away all the sand, We’ll find the last Chessman.
And we’ll sing The Walrus and Carpenter
The Walrus and Carpenter
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12. |
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11. The Walrus And The Carpenter
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: taken from Lewis Carroll’s poem)
Dodgson: The Walrus and the Carpenter
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
If this were only cleared away we may
Find a Chessman,
O Oysters, come and walk with us!
The Walrus did beseech.
A pleasant walk, Along the briny beach:
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so, and then
they rested on a rock conveniently
low: And all the little Oysters stood
and waited in a row.
The time has come, the Walrus said,
To talk of many things: Of shoes and
ships of cabbages and kings
I weep for you, the Walrus said:
I deeply sympathize. With sobs
and tears he sorted out those of the
largest size.
O Oysters, said the Carpenter,
You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?
But answer came there none
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one. The Walrus and the
Carpenter.
We’ve found the Chessmen and we’re ready to play, We’ll make sure The Red Queen doesn’t get her way
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13. |
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12. Escape From The Red Queen
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter, with some lines taken from Lewis Carroll’s poems)
Dodgson: (narrating and reading Chess Moves): Sarah to Queen's 5th, White Queen to King's Bishop's 8th, Sarah to Queen's 6th, White Queen to Queen's Bishop's 8th
Dodgson: Someone’s broken the looking glass! We’re trapped ! Who’s that!
Red Queen: You’re not going anywhere, I’ve smashed the looking glass, You’re not going back, you have no past. I’m rewriting history
Get on your knees before the altar of equality
(Chorus) I am the Red Queen
You’re prisoners of my dreams
I am the Red Queen
You are just pawns in my schemes
I am the Red Queen
Dodgson: Sarah to Queen's 7th, Red Knight to Kings 2nd (check), White knight takes Red Knight, White Knight to King’s Bishop’s 5th
Red Queen: To me this is just a game, I’ll change the rules and if I lose, then we’ll play again.
People never seem to learn, they believe me when I say I’ll promise them the world
Chorus
I am The Red Queen you can’t escape from me
I am The Red Queen you can’t escape from me
Dodgson: Sarah to Queen’s 8th, Red Queen to King's square, Sarah becomes Queen, Queen’s Castle, Sarah castles, White Queen to Queen’s Rook's 6th, Sarah takes Red Queen and wins. CHECKMATE
Dodgson: No matter how much things may change, eternal truths remain the same.
History rewrites will fail – human nature will prevail. Rule 42 of the Golden Realm:
No one shall speak to The Man at the Helm
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14. |
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13. Tea Tray In The Sky
(Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter)
Dodgson: Is there still a way back to the past? The looking glass is smashed.
Sarah: Yes the is another way – On the Tea Tray!
Dodgson: Well, it looks rather small, Will it fit us all? Sarah: Step on board – you’ll see – we’ll soon be home for tea.
Sarah: (Chorus)
So high we will fly, On a Tea Tray In The Sky. So high we will fly, On a Tea Tray In The Sky
We’ll fly over land, we’ll Fly over Sea
Just take my hand, We’ll be back home for tea, back home for tea
Chorus
We’ll fly in the night, we’ll fly in the day
We’re bound for the past, so far away
Tea Tray In The Sky, Tea Tray In The Sky
Tea Tray In The Sky, Tea Tray In The Sky
Chorus
I will not feel alone, Without internet or mobile phones, ‘cos I’m heading for home
This time I’ll not roam
Chorus
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15. |
Interlude #2
01:02
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14. Interlude #2 (Words: Tim Hunter)
Dodgson: A present from Sarah? [opens] A copy of my next book, from 2021? [pause] So that’s what I ended up calling it.
Smith [sounds of party] Ladies and gentlemen, this Tea party is in honour of Sarah, who was returned to us safely today, by our good friend Mr Dodgson. [pause] Mr Dodgson? Where is he?
Dodgson [On Train]: Dear Diary, on my way back to
Christchurch.,Oxford. I’ve got to see my publisher, urgently. I finally have it! The title of my new book!
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16. |
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15. Welcome Back To Whitby Reprise
(Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter)
Smith: Dodgson called his new book
‘Through The Looking Glass’, but since he saved Sarah from The Red Queen, he’s not been back.
So I sing this song, which I think he wrote about me, In the hope that we may once again see,
Mr Dodgson, It’s been too long Mr Dodgson
When will we see you again, Mr Dodgson?
It’s been too long Mr Dodgson
When will we see you again in Whitby,
Mr Dodgson?
When will we see you again in Whitby,
Mr Dodgson? When will we see you again, Mr Dodgson? When will we see you again?
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17. |
The Lady Of The Ladle
03:59
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16. The Lady Of The Ladle
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: taken from Lewis
Carroll’s poem)
Smith: This is my song!
The Lady Of The Ladle, The Lady Of The Ladle
The Youth at Eve had drunk his fill,
Where stands the “Royal” on the Hill,
And long his mid-day stroll had made,
On the so-called “Marine Parade”
(Meant, I presume, for Seamen brave,
Whose “march is on the Mountain wave”
‘Twere just the bathing-place for him
Who stays on land till he can swim)
The Lady Of The Ladle, The Lady Of The Ladle
And he had strayed into the Town,
And paced each alley up and down,
Where still, so narrow grew the way,
The very houses seemed to say,
Nodding to friends across the Street,
One struggle more and we shall meet.
And he had scaled that wondrous stair
That soars from earth to upper air,
Where rich and poor alike must climb,
And walk the treadmill for a time.
Twere just the bathing-place for him
Who stays on land till he can swim)
The Lady Of The Ladle, The Lady Of The Ladle
That morning he had dressed with
care, And put Pomatum on his hair;
He was, the loungers all agreed,
A very heavy swell indeed:
Men thought him, as he swaggered by,
Some scion of nobility,
And never dreamed, so cold his look,
That he had loved- and loved a Cook.
Upon the beach he stood and sighed
Unheedful of the treacherous tide;
Thus sang he to the listening main,
And soothed his sorrow with the strain!
The Lady Of The Ladle, The Lady Of The Ladle
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18. |
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9. Back To The 70s
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter)
Dodgson: Is this 2021? Well, it’s not my idea of fun. One thing that I just can’t see is why everybody is dressed like me
Sarah: It’s the Steampunk Convention
Maybe I should have mentioned
Dodgson: They seem to prefer the past
Come on girl we’re going back
Together: (chorus) Back to the 70s my friend
Back to The 70s, Back to the 70s
Right on back to the 1870s
Back to the 70s,Are you coming back with me?
Sarah: I’m not sure.
Back to the 70s,Are you coming back with me?
Sarah: I’ll think about it.
Dodgson: Think I just saw the Walrus
And the White Rabbit’s following us
Let’s sit down on that stone
And work out how we both get home
Sarah: The White Rabbit and Walrus
They’re my friends – can’t they join us?
Dodgson: Well I don’t know, we’ll have to see
We’ve got to get back home for tea
chorus
Sarah: OK I’m coming home, I’m coming back for tea. But I don’t wanna be alone So my friends are joining me, OK?
Together: Back to the 70s
my friend
Back to the 70s,
Back to the 70s
Right on back to
the 1870s
Back to the 70s,
Sarah: Yes I’m coming back with you
Back to the 70s,
Sarah: Yes I’m coming back with you
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19. |
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18. Tea Tray In The Sky
(Lyrics & Music: Tim Hunter)
Sarah: (Chorus)
So high we will fly, On a Tea Tray In The Sky. So high we will fly, On a Tea Tray In The Sky
We’ll fly over land, we’ll Fly over Sea
Just take my hand, We’ll be back home for tea, back home for tea
Chorus
We’ll fly in the night, we’ll fly in the day
We’re bound for the past, so far away
Tea Tray In The Sky, Tea Tray In The Sky
Tea Tray In The Sky, Tea Tray In The Sky
Chorus
I will not feel alone, Without internet or mobile phones, ‘cos I’m heading for home
This time I’ll not roam
Chorus
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20. |
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Living in a Looking Glass World
(Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Tim Hunter,
with some lyrics taken from Lewis Carroll’s poems)
She’s Living in a Looking Glass World
She’s just a girl, her mind’s in a whirl.
She still haunts me Phantomwise and
Contrariwise, I’m still hypnotised
She’s lost in someone else’s dream
She thinks she’s The Queen
She’ll dance on a moonbeam
She’s In A Looking Glass World
She’s In A Looking Glass World
solo
She’s lost in someone else’s dream
And now she’s The Queen
She’ll dance on a moonbeam
She’s In A Looking Glass World
She’s In A Looking Glass World
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Tim Hunter Knaresborough, UK
'Through his musical albums, Knaresborough composer Tim Hunter helps bring to life the stories and legends of Yorkshire's
rich heritage.' Yorkshire Post 1st May 2020.
Tim Hunter is a singer/songwriter/producer. His musical compositions range from pop ballads through to classic rock and have been enjoyed by audiences both in Europe and the United States.
... more
Tim Hunter recommends:
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I am a Bill Nelson fan from way back, he's a big influence on my own music.This album is brilliant - exceptionally tasteful guitar playing and composition.
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