5. Draughty Old Fortress.

A rather literal lyric written about people - from Citizen Kane to Monty Burns - who buy slightly-too-big houses - and then feel compelled to protect them with hounds.  A suitably Gothic melody is provided, and sung, by Alasdair Roberts.  Strangely, Alasdair insisted that the weight of the bell be increased from 400 to 500 pounds.  Thanks also to Ros for a superb string arrangement.

I am a king
I am a king in my draughty old fortress
I am the lord
The lord and the master of house and of grounds
I strain my eyes
Scan the horizon searching for travellers
I strain my ears 
Hoping for music, sweet music but it never sounds

But no-one rings your bell when it weighs four hundred pounds
The bell-rope is twisted and tattered and chewed by the hounds
I am the king
Of my draughty old fortress
And all the lands that surround

I pace the rooms
The towers and tombs of this dusty old palace
Outside these walls
No beast or bird for miles around
Through echoing halls 
And corridors dark, I measure my kingdom
Hoping for news
From travelling fools but they never wander from the town

But no-one rings your bell when it weighs four hundred pounds
The bell-rope is twisted and tattered and chewed by the hounds
I am the king
Of my draughty old fortress
And all the lands that surround