The R’lyeh Rhythm Kings - 8. Down by Devil Reef

Down by Devil Reef [Intro — tremolo guitar, low organ, slow drums] [Female] Mama told me, “Child, when that tide rolls out… You stay away from Devil Reef.” [Male] Should’ve listened to your mama. [Verse 1 — Female] There’s a road beneath the water When the tide is running low, Black rocks shining in the moonlight Where no Christian ought to go. I saw lanterns on the shoreline, Heard a bell beneath the foam, And a voice out past the breakers said, “Daughter… Come on home.” [Male] Don’t you listen. [Female] I’m trying. [Chorus — Both] Down by Devil Reef, Where the deep water rolls, Something keeps a-counting All the names of all our souls. Down by Devil Reef, Hear that old sea moan— [Female] Every wave that breaks upon it Sounds a little more like home. [Male] That ain’t your home. [Female] Then why do I remember it? [Organ swell] [Verse 2 — Male] I followed her at midnight With my Bible in my coat, Saw a hundred shapes go walking Where a hundred men would float. They were singing in the water, They were kneeling in the spray, And when my woman stepped among them, Lord… They all looked her way. [Female backing] They knew my name. [Male] Every one. [Female] Before I told them. [Male] Baby, run. [Chorus — Both] Down by Devil Reef, Where the black waves rise, There are faces in the water With those wide and shining eyes. Down by Devil Reef, Where the moon hangs low— [Male] You don’t owe the sea a thing! [Female] Then why won’t it let me go? [Instrumental — dirty tenor sax and organ] [Bridge — gospel call and response] [Male] I said, Lord, save this woman! [Backing vocals] Bring her home! [Male] Keep her from that water! [Backing vocals] Bring her home! [Female] But something in that water— [Backing vocals] Calls her home… [Female] Something in that water— [Backing vocals] Calls her home… [Male] DON’T ANSWER! [Music drops] [Female — softly] Too late. [Verse 3 — Female] I remember marble towers Under green and silent skies, I remember ancient gardens Never touched by human eyes. I remember hands that held me Long before I learned to breathe. Maybe I was never coming here. Maybe… I was trying to leave. [Band slowly builds] [Final Chorus — Female lead, Male + backing choir] Down by Devil Reef, I can hear my people sing, From the trenches in the darkness To the court of some old king. Down by Devil Reef, Don’t you mourn when I am gone. [Male] Baby, please— [Female] The sea was here before us. And the sea keeps rolling on. [Backing vocals] Rolling on… Rolling on… [Male] Come back! [Female — distant] Come with me. [Outro — organ, surf, distant voices] [Backing vocals] Down… Down… Down by Devil Reef… [Deep bell sounds beneath the water] [Female — whispered] I’m home.