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The Roman Soldier

by Grover's Mill

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Will Greeves
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Will Greeves The guitar and beat at the start reminds me of Robert Plant's Big Log. The song itself hints at a profane interpretation of Jesus Christ's origins. Vaguely middle-eastern slow electronica sounds. Interesting!
Rui Santos
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about

When I got back into writing late last year I unearthed this guitar part and tried adding some drums and synth sounds from my trusty Future Music samples disc. By the time I added the strings I started liking what I had. I tried some proper bass guitar but it seemed to go better with the synth bass sounds I had on the samples disc, so I used them instead. The guitar parts, which helped me with the vocal melody, and the insistent high snare sound throughout were both informed by listening to Robert Plant’s song ‘Big Log’.

The song was starting to take on a slightly middle-eastern flavour, and so I thought of using for the lyric an idea I’d had long before about a Roman soldier stationed in old Judea (Israel) who is forced to rape a woman. I don’t mention it in the song, but the woman’s name is Mary. That’s right: that Mary.

lyrics

Long time ago, in a land far, far away
There lived a young soldier who tried to make things better.
He always followed orders but would not mistreat the people of Canaan.
And so in time he came under his captain’s displeasure.

The captain said, “Hey soldier, that’s not the way it’s done.
“No compassion for these worthless ones.
Only a firm hand will earn you the respect of the legion.”

The captain decided what was needed was a demonstration.
He spied a young woman who was watching them alone from a door.
He threw her to the ground and instructed his men to pin her down.
Then he told his young soldier that he must do what he was trained for.

The woman cried (girl cried out?), “Please hear me, Lord, I need your help!”
The Captain yelled, “Go on, give it to her, what are you waiting for?
“Coz if you don’t, by the gods I will crucify you myself!”

As the reluctant soldier proceeded with his awful duty,
He leaned in close and whispered, Please, forgive me…

credits

released August 5, 2016
Will Greeves, all instruments

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Grover's Mill Melbourne, Australia

Grover's Mill is a one-man home studio wizard called Will Greeves. He likes writing songs with quirky lyrics that mean something, with music that's eclectic and that usually combines samples and his own noodlings. He's a bit like the band name - he cuts it up and mixes it up. ... more

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