LUKA BLOOM » SONGS
In Groningen
In Groningen
(1980)

ONE LAST COLD KISS

Two island swans mated for life,
And his faithful heart would not consider any other wife.
For three years peaceful joy midst the rushes of the pond,
Proud and gentle was the loving of the last two island swans.

Their love was like a circle, no beginning and no end,
With his lady by his side a treasure and best friend.
And the pond was all so peaceful with the rising of the sun,
Young and free like the island breeze their life was just begun.

'Til a dread day in November when the searing cold did start,
Stalked the hunter with his bow, he put an arrow through her heart.
Husband come to my side let your feathers warm my pain,
For I feel I will not spend another day with you again.

And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,
I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.

Of swans the people talk of only one in this days tide,
They brought him twenty ladies he would take no other bride.
They say he will not move from the place where she did fall,
Once so proud he's beaten now, he will not speak at all.

And the cold winds blow,
He was brave but he's laid low.
By her body in the isle of mist,
I saw him give her one last cold kiss,
One last cold kiss.


Written by GAIL COLLINS & FELIX PAPPALARDI
© Up Fall Music

Mountain's Pappalardi
by Ritchie Yorke
New Music Express - March 1972

The Mountain cut is called 'One Last Cold Kiss' and it concerns the trials and tragedies of a pair of swans. Not the most likely subject of inspiration for a rock lyric, I'll admit, but certainly a valid one, particularly when you hear the background story from Mountain producer-bass guitarist, Felix Pappalardi: "The song is based on a true story from Nantucket of two swans who had been mates since cygnethood. Two years ago the female swan was destructively cut down by a hunter with a bow and arrow. Following her death, the Nantucket Historical Society brought more than 30 different swans to the male, but he would not mate with any of them. Also as a result of the loss, he has not uttered a sound in two years. It is a very sad story and we - myself and my lady, Gail Collins - decided to write a song about it."

more info: www.pappalardi.com

© Rena Bergholz :: Luka Bloom Page