Although very busy with Spirit Level lately, I`m still writing solo songs.
This one`s a folk tale about Gilbert Bland Jr., a map thief who cut priceless maps from some of the oldest books in America`s most prestigious libraries, evading capture for years... and never revealing at trial or to fascinated journalists what possessed him.

The Man Who Stole The World

Style is _KIRKLND.STY (Morning in Kirkland Pop Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 2937:Bass, Fretless Electric Pop8thsRene Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2194:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm CoolJazzPop Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 1765:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop16ths Ev16 085
RealTracks in style: 365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 676:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockBritEighths Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2364:Synth, ElectroFlutes, Rhythm Pop Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:CongasEv16[single]: a: Congas b: CongasEv16[single]



The Man Who Stole The World

there are angels over the arctic
sea monsters swim the margins
a fire breathing horse
gallops the globe
on the first map he stole

Mr Bland the book bandit
tearing pages from the atlas of ages
when the world was still young
hurries them home
to see pygmies at the North Pole

did you find the land you`re looking for
the one Capernicus unfurled
do you like the poster wanting you
the man who stole the world
the man who stole the world


from Yale to Harvard and Chicago
he`s the scholar looking over his shoulder
disguised as a priest
cartomaniac in the stacks
the librarians enemy

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum
the aroma of antique paper
when science was an art
or was it the cash
gave maps such ecstasy

did you find the land you`re looking for
the one Magellan unfurled
will you like cell waiting for you
the man who stole the world
the man who stole the world


© Robert Cordrey Dec. 2020

That's quite a story that I've never heard before.
Your lyrics bring it to life in a very interesting way........well done.

The band supports the vocals nicely and the melody is perfect for the tail.

Nicely done!

moto

I never heard about that either but I love a story.
"Did you find the land you're looking for?" Great line.
Your voice reminds me of a '60's British folk singer called Donovan btw.

Vic

Really pretty song Robert!! You have such a way with creative, dreamy lyrics! The band works perfectly.....love the fretless!! Take care. Greg

As a fan of you lyrics, I read them first, wondering "What is this all about?" Then I read your story of your inspiration. Fascinating!

I very much like the song. Nice folk 60s sound.

If I could only write lyrics like you Robert! I always love the way you look back at events and people in history and craft a lovely song and paint a wonderful picture with your lyrics! Excellent work! Thanks, T

Interesting story, excellent arrangement.

Nicely sung as well.

Fascinating story, good song, well sung. I enjoyed it. Makes you want to know more about the perp. Well done!

Robert,

A bunch of really interesting phrases in the lyric. An interesting story to put to song - and an excellent title/hook.

Well done. The flute is a nice late addition...

fj

(You might be interested in a similar story that appeared in Smithsonian magazine about the guy who stole 8 million dollars worth of rare books and maps from the Carnegie Library.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/theft-carnegie-library-books-maps-artworks-180975506/
)

Hi Robertkc,

Perfect symbiosis between melody and well-written lyrics. Very endearing and very philosophical melody if you think about the lyrics. The arrangement is superb. Well done.

Kindly regards
Take care of yourself

Derochette
Alias JaniJackFlash

Thank you , Captain.

Anyone wanting to know more about the elusive, aptly named Mr Bland, can find the story which inspired the song here:

https://www.outsideonline.com/1843196/mr-blands-evil-plot-control-world




Vic,
Cool, another story song fan- thanks for your comments!






Thank you, Greg.



I`m glad you liked the story and the way I made a song from it!



Torrey,
I appreciate those very kind comments.

Robert

A fascinating story beautifully translated into song, Robert. Much enjoyed.
Regards,
Leon

An engaging essay into a very odd man.
The flutes brought Tom Rapp to mind though I don't recall any flutes on Pearls before Swine recordings.
Nice one Robert.

Hi Rob !


I did watch an episode of
a TV series where they
went thru this story I think
it may have been something
like " mysteries at the museum"
or something similar ! It
was fascinating indeed and
so is your wonderful tune
so delicately and prepared and
performed !

Gracias !

Cheers
Dani

Being fans of history we remember the reporting on that.

This is quite a fascinating subject and one that would not be
expected to become the subject of a song. You did a remarkable
job of capturing the tale with that vivid imagery.

Janice's first comment was that she felt as though she was
floating over the maps. The groove does offer that indeed.

The flute was an excellent choice. Also the congas work very well.

Really well done and the addition of the right video track would be something to behold!

J&B

Hi Robert ...

You write some of the nicest lyrics. You truly have a way with words. You turn sounds into pictures. The movie projector in my head played nonstop [*****] I listened.

I absolutely loved your musical arrangement and choice of tracks. This is truly a lovely song. How creative ... the band is magical and the vocal a soft pleasure. Thanks for a wonderful listen.

Wishing you the very best.

Alan

Thank you, David!



Its strange...on the surface he`s a perfect match for his surname, making the audacious nature of his crime that much more interesting.
Thanks for listening!






Floyd,
Thanks for that link- there are lots of good stories on the back pages- and thanks for your comments.





Derochette,
I appreciate those generous comments and especially glad you noticed the melody.



Thanks very much, Leon!

Robert

Interesting story indeed!

Very nice, Robert, love the vocals and harmonies.

Enjoyed!

Very cool song Robert. What an interesting story. Boy are there some weird people out there. Destroying priceless works for what, Loved the acoustic framing your vocal. Beautiful song. Well done

Simply exquisite. Lovely poetic lyrics. Vocals nailed it. The band was in the zone too. Good one.

That was really interesting to listen to. I have never heard that story before. How inspiring this forum can be sometimes...

Thanks a lot for sharing that gem of a song!

Will

I appreciate your succinct sum-up, Ray... and listening back to this I knew you`d say it had a Tom Rapp feel!



Dani,
I can`t find that tv show you reference, but appreciate your listen and interest.




J&B,

I hope I don`t go looking for odd song topics- they just come naturally from an interest in the quirky things I come across.
Its always interesting to me that your comments indicate a sharing of listens and opinions on forum songs between yourselves... making music a cool family affair!

Robert

Robert

Lovely work - almost an Al Stewart vibe to it.

Engaging lyric, well sung and a nice band to back it up.

Peter

Nice backstory, explains the lyrics and the fitting title. Very pleasant folk tune, singing and instruments support each other well, the flute is nice addition.

Janne

Robert,
I thought I had commented on this a couple days ago, but reading through the replies I don't see mine. I must have gotten distracted before saving it.

Having now listened to this as well as your recent collaboration, I think its safe to say that you are an original thinker. To my ears everything you do sounds unique. Perhaps your influences are just not on my radar, and within a certain genre you walk in lockstep with that crowd.. but somehow I doubt that.

Every song writer hopes to write something unique and interesting. That appears to be your forte. I look forward to hearing more from you.

WOW. W-O-W. WOW!!!

Are you the most sensitive writer on here? I don't know, but this is certainly one of the most sensitive and sensitively sung and rendered songs I have ever heard on here. Your voice just glides through the notes, with never so much as a bump - as if just caressing them. The story you tell, you draw the listener in ... and what a beautiful story and way to tell it. So much talent ... lend me some? haha ;-) Seriously, well done.

Alan, Dave, Scott, jptjjptj, Will, Peter, Janne, Pat, musician17:
Thank you all very much for your listens, interesting and most supportive comments!


Robert