Caravaggio's Eyes from Blood & Flame by Dave Gibb
The inspiration for this song comes from the painting by Caravaggio - The Beheading of St. John the Baptist - that hangs in the co-cathedral of St John in Valletta, Malta. The song is about the events that lead up to what is depicted in the painting. This was the only painting Caravaggio signed and way he signed it explains the rather oblique last line of the fourth verse.
Tracklist
| 5. | Caravaggio's Eyes | 4:35 |
Lyrics
Caravaggio’s Eyes
(Dave Gibb mcps/prs)
Salome danced for the king
She danced so well he said - I’ll grant you anything
State your wish and it shall be
I’ll give you everything you want or crave or need
And through Caravaggio’s eyes
We see how the story ends
Herodias gives her advice
The King has promised you so now you must decide
So go to him and say
Give me the Baptist’s head on a golden plate
And through Caravaggio’s eyes
We see how the story ends
He can’t believe what he hears
But make a promise lightly - it will always end in tears
He feels no need to ask her why
A king must keep his word even though innocents may die
And through Caravaggio’s eyes
We see how the story ends
The artist has captured it all so well
The Baptist lying at their feet like some scene straight out of Hell
His hands bound tight behind
The executioner grabs his hair as he reaches for his knife
The artist paints the heartless pain
Then signs his name in the warm blood of a saint
And through Caravaggio’s eyes
We see how the story ends
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
Left Handed, Balding, Post Menopausal, Songwriting Folky from Scotland’s Highest Village.
A singer of songs and a teller of tales from the hills of Dumfries & Galloway who happily fingerpicks his way through life’s travails.
Songs funny or sad, happy or grim, meaningful or meaningless played fast or slow (sometimes both at the same time)…….He likes a giggle.