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The Hazards of Love

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This watercolor was inspired by the indie rock album The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists. The album tells the story of a young Victorian girl, Margaret, who falls in love with the foundling son of the Queen of the Forest. He falls in love with her as well, and their tryst leads to her pregnancy. But the Queen (who has cursed her son to turn him into a fawn by day and a man by night) is jealous of Margaret. The Rake abducts Margaret, and the Queen helps him cross the wild river Annan and make his escape.
In order to save Margaret, William makes a deal with the river -- if it calms and lets him cross, he promises to let it drown him on his return. He then crosses the river and saves Margaret (with the help of the ghosts of the Rake's murdered children). But the river Annan holds him to his promise, and both he and Margaret drown on their way back across.

(Please skim the following before using/reposting, thanks! [link])

From the album (Hazards of Love 4: The Drowned):

Tell me now, tell me this
A forest's son, a river's daughter
A willow on the will-o'-wisp
Our ghost to wander all of the water

So let's be married here today
These rushing waves to bear our witness
And we will lie like river stones
Rolling only where it takes us

But I pulled you and I called you here
(Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?)
And I caught you and I brought you here
(Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?)
These hazards of love
Never more will trouble us

Margaret, the lapping waves are licking quietly at our ankles
Another bow, another breath
This brilliant chill has come to shackle

With this long last rush of air
We'll speak our vows in starry whispers
And when the waves came crashing down
He closed his eyes and softly kissed her

But I pulled you and I called you here
(Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?)
And I caught and I brought you here
(Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?)
The hazards of love
Never more will trouble us
Image size
1618x1128px 1.01 MB
© 2011 - 2024 Alsdale
Comments27
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WhatAboutBrennenburg's avatar
This is so cool!  I love this album!