…when first we practice to deceive!” (Sir Walter Scott, 1808)
From Carol King to “Emerson, Lake & Palmer” is not as far as one would think. In the same year as Tapestry, “Emerson, Lake & Palmer” released their second studio album, Tarkus, from which the following track titled “Mass” is pulled. And, it too, lends itself to an extended metaphor of the power of the weave.
The song’s relevance on this, the day after Trump got a second (and expected) reprieve in the Senate in the wake of his second impeachment is obvious. To emphasise my point, I have transcribed the lyrics.
Mass - Emerson Lake & Palmer (Tarkus,1971) The preacher said a prayer Save every single hair on his head He's dead The minister of hate had just arrived too late to be spared Who cared? The weaver in the web that he made The pilgrim wandered in Commiting every sin that he could So good The cardinal of grief was set in his belief he'd be saved From the grave The weaver in the web that he made The high priest took a blade To bless the ones that prayed And all obeyed The messenger of fear is slowly growing, nearer to the time A sign The weaver in the web that he made A bishops rings a bell A cloak of darkness fell across the ground Without a sound The silent choir sing and in their silence Bring jaded sound, harmonic ground The weaver in the web that he made - "Mass" - music and lyrics by Keith Emerson & Greg Lake