From the recording The Emergent Sea
Typically, this, the title song came last. I'd been working on it---well a completely different version of it-- for years. But I could never get either the right music or lyrics, though I had various verses that I liked. They were all about the god of wine, the energy of life, love and liberation, Dionysos. Probably too graphic for radio anyhow. I'd given up on the song when one day I was walking where I live among the fields and mountain forests of a small town in Japan and waiting for my child, I was enjoying the warm breeze blowing through the beautiful cedars, cedars so lush they instantly reminded my of the trees in Miyazaki's famous animation, Totoro, and that's how it happened, the rest just flowed. Within 30 minutes of getting home I had it finished largely both lyrically and musically. The navigator, Will Adams, was the first English man to Japan (1600) and he is partly responsible for advising Ieyasu to kick the Jesuits out of Japan. I thus consider him an ancestor in more than just name. He was definitely the first European, if not first or only foreigner to become a Samurai (an African became a Samurai 20 years prior). In charge of building Ieyasu's fleet, he adapted to and respected his new found home, though he wished to return to England. Clavell's novel Shogun is based on him, though it really lacks compared to the original novel The Needle Watcher, by Richard Blaker, published in 1932. Also an excellent read is Samurai William by Giles Milton. Though all this really has little to do with the overall feel and theme of this Jungian dreamscape of a song about following your soul above all else.
Lyrics
The Emergent Sea: Lyrics
I was standing by the Totoro trees when along came a breeze that said "Come on Will, let's go over the hill and down to the inland sea. I'd been dreaming of getting away to the island where the pixies play. When the wind asked in sorrow why wait for tomorrow When you can be happy today?
As there was salt on the wind and my finances were dim, I walked on over that old salt road. Left my kin, followed a whim, hoping it knew where to go.
Chorus: And if you could fly on your whimsical mindAnd leave all your troubles behind, Would you still change the world or escape to find Everywhere's the same if you don't take the time To know yourself deep inside, to meet the goddess hidden inside.
Now the first Englishman in Japan,Came with a compass in hand. And he pointed the way to a better day Said: kick the Jesuits out of your land.
Must be an ancestor of mine, For we share the same name and mind And we respect the other and great hidden mother Who makes all living things shine.
But I only made it to the river, where a girl with a bow and quiver Shot down inside of me, made me shudder then shiver. Built a house and lost myself, and now my soul's upon a shelf Wondering if I'll ever get beyond this land of never Grow this acorn to a tree, build a boat inside of me and cross the emergent sea.
Now I'm a musical man, But I've yet to form my band, For I can't find my way, nor know where to play Without that compass in hand.
So I'm waiting by the Totoro trees, Searching for my deity. Preying for detection so she'll give me directions Down to the inland sea, cross this emergent sea!