In A Gown Too Blue

Brenda Sutton

Its amazing that there's not more Connie Willis-inspired filk, considering her impressive body of sf work... a situation I hope to remedy. In a Gown Too Blue was written a week after I read Doomsday Book, the Hugo Award winning novel about a time traveling history student in 15th century Oxford. - Brenda Sutton

In a Gown Too Blue

by Brenda Sutton
© March 2001
Lyrics posted with permission of the author

Dressed in a gown of too virulent blue,
I'll play the pitiful damsel I do.
Draped on cold ground I'll pose,
(No one knows what I know)
One turn and I'm lost in time.
I trip through history
Studying mysteries.
Middle Aged Oxford was fine - and all mine.

I was the confident sophomore.
I thought I had this down pat,
But I don't know the road to the door.
God, I don't know where I'm at.

I clentch my hands in a semblance of prayer,
And pray to the knuckles what I'm doing here;
How all my arrogance
Joined with my innocence
To shove me down dark, snowy roads.
Please hear this penitent.
Don't learn as I have learnt.
Be more prepared if you go -- or don't go.

Everything school couldn't teach me,
Everything I didn't know,
Now there's no way they can reach me,
And I don't know where to go - I don't know - I don't know.

1400 was the target we set.
My story in place and I flew through the net,
Dragging my germs with me
Back to the plague I flee.
I'm not supposed to be here.
Fevered, delirious,
Lord, are you getting this?
I never asked, "What's the year?" What's the year!

Oh, Dunworthy, leave the door open!
I know the drop is nearby,
Within the sound of bells tolling,
Within the sound of my cry... of my cry!

Fearless and foolish and faithful surround me.
Everyone I know is dying around me.
No modern cures have I,
Poultice and herbs apply
With isolation and prayer... isolation and prayer.
There's no one left to save,
None left to dig my grave.
Get me the hell out of here... out of here!