Noble Sport from Tapestry of Love and Loss
"Noble Sport" was written about the long-standing Spanish tradition and culture of bull fighting. This song was a landing place for an old guitar riff that had been searching for a home. I took the opportunity to use some of my favorite effect, envelope filter. The solo at the end features the Boss MO-2, a pedal that I was trying to convince myself not to sell. Now, having used it on a recording, I have an excuse to keep it around forever! The video that we did for the acoustic version of this song (which can be found on YouTube) was taken at the El Morro National Monument at the bank of a small oasis located at the foot of a sandstone promontory in western New Mexico.
Song Lyrics
To the bull, a matador is strange
He runs at each move for trust is neither born nor bred
The music box figure dressed in dainty slippers thrusts out at him
Heavy with tradition and history
The bull is masculine, teaming with power
The one with slippers is venerated, even adulated
The grand dancer stalks the toro with precise steps
A ballet across the clay sod floor
Red silk flashing in the sun glazed coliseum
Lancers on horseback stick with storied pain
Darts stab and cling without quarter
The raging mass charges for the finale
He is staring with head bowed low
The gleam of metal thrusts between the horns
He sways, he whirls, he falls on his knees
The spectator frenzy subsides
His death is the afternoon's entertainment
His epitaph is tonight's feast at the local hotel...at the local hotelmore