The Harbinger

Allen Welty-Green's rock opera "Sisyphus", based on a short story I wrote in high school, is an affectionate send-up of the Rock Messiah concept. This song didn't make the cut to be included in the opera, and still has no melody, but I am fond of it anyway; I used to be that kid who looked for deep hidden meanings between the grooves of his rock hero's records, so if I seem to be laughing at anyone, be assured that it's myself...

I am none and I am all; the Harbinger

I have come to spread the call of Sisyphus

We all have a secret stone

Made of fear and doubt we roll

Sisyphus and he alone

Can help us climb the mountain of despair

So if you have ears to ear, seek Sisyphus

He has brought the Word to us in imagery and song

All his verses point the way

To hurl our stones from off the mountain

Only listen to him, and belong

For the ones who have been freed by Sisyphus

He asks nothing more of you than listening

To his secrets, plain to discover

Hidden on the album covers

And graven in the lines of vinyl

On his sacred tablets--turn them on!

(A long wild electronic violin solo here)

You who suffer with your stones, seek Sisyphus

I am but the Harbinger, but hearken to my call

Be sure to listen most intently

To the fourth track on his first disc

And the fifth song on his second

The final on his third reveals it all!

Do not fear if Sisyphus grows silent for a time--

He is giving you a chance to really see

He shall return and bring the final

Secrets chiselled on the vinyl

Of his next release

We'll all be free!

(Repeat first verse, urging the audience to sing along, milk it for all you can, and crash to a sustained stop)