"Sermon on the Louse" genre: Experimental
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	Vignette from "Founded", a concept album revolving around the rise and fall of a newly formed kingdom. Click song link for lyrics and interpretation.
	CD: Founded   Label: Litfuse Credits: M. Barrow - Writer/Performer (Voice, Soda Can, Bottle, Zipper, Ukelele) Litfuse 2003
	Story Behind the Song Concept - In this chapter, Haruspex, the prophet, comes forth with a sermon for all to hear. The two warring factions, leader-worshipping Romulans and revolutionary Seditians, listen, taking from his words what they bring to them. This moment in the CD is the eye before the storm, as a civil war is brewing in the kingdom. Application - The CD is a story about the rise and fall of Aperio from its founding by Romulus, to his wicked turn into "Big-Brother"-like leader, to the uprising of the Seditians, led by revolutionary Sicarius, and to its eventual fall. It is filled with interweaving storylines and characters, including a pair of Shakespearean forbidden lovers. Throughout the CD, the listener is invited to join the civilization. This track comes prior to the Sicarius-led revolution, and fortells the coming events. Each person is said to hear the prophet's word differently, and this interpretation will help define which group the listener has chosen. A suggestion of the lyrics has been made below, though neither is definate, and nor are the lines of alliance. Haruspex is presented like John the Baptist in this story, unkempt, natural and neutral, he tells people of the coming messiah. It is up to them which figure will fill this role. Because of his status, he is surrounded by naturally-made and unconventional noises, hence the cans and foreign instruments used to back him. The autonomous point is that anything can have different interpretations. Art is meant to be a question mark. Should it be defined to the point where it was an answer, it would be dead, and so would the viewer. It needs to be presented in a way that makes the beholder think, and the role of thought-catalyst is played here by the neutral character, the one who can see through the stereo to its voyeuristic parasites. The title itself is a play on the parasitic nature of the listener. Musically - This track was stream-of-consciousness, as are all of the character tracks, and backed by an assortment of objects within arm's reach at the time. Parts recorded in different environments to create a texture of conflicting reverb. The voice is made unclear to the listener, and the change in direction of the background is meant to represent the dual views given to the sermon. An experimental spoken word track at its core, largely influenced by "Entropy" by Jason Webley, where chimes and rainfall can be heard. Lyrics YIN: We are, but we aren't We were, but we weren't We can, but we can't We fall, but we fly We eat when we hunger We drink when we thirst I lost, but I found and I know what its worth I'm stuck and I'm free I'm lost in a dream I can't find the way But I can if I pray I know what it's worth And I Have seen my birth YANG: We are the freed Harlot We were what we'd warrant "Weakenpublicans" We don't really die We beat her, we hung her The true calling first The cost of the crown That I know nothing's worth One second I breathe I've lost energy I can't fall away 'Cause I can't if I pray I know nothing's worse Than my asking of hurt

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