One for the Pearl Moon

Two main versions:

* "1981 Version" (1981) - Chemical Playschool 2 (5:42), Kleine Krieg (6:14), Under Triple Moons (5:48)

On Kleine Krieg the song crossfades from the "Erin or Eric" suffix at the end of the previous song ("Legacy.") Under Triple Moons uses the Kleine Krieg mix, fading in slightly later to avoid most of "Erin or Eric." On Chemical Playschool 2, the song cuts off suddenly after the "wasted much too long" line, whereas Kleine Krieg (and Under Triple Moons) continue for a few seconds before crossfading with a descending synth sound...on Kleine Krieg this lasts for 38 seconds before fading into the following song ("Dolls' House"), whereas Under Triple Moons fades out after only a few seconds.

Instruments: Single drum machine pattern; prominent bass guitar; warm synth chords; plinky melody keyboard; rattling jar percussion; sharp synth effects; distant discordant keyboards; single vocal track.

* "Pink Box Version" (1989) - Legendary Pink Box (3:58)

AKA "Pearl Moon"

A much faster, punchier, and "poppier" approach that sounds distinctly late-'80s. Besides small changes in the wording, the lyrics in verses two and three are mixed-and-matched to make a single verse, verse four has been removed, and there is a fun bass/sampler solo before the last verse.

Instruments: Bass guitar; sharp keyboard accents; drum machine with multiple patterns; looped samples of glass breaking and percussive sounds; fuzzy electric rhythm guitar; sharp electric lead guitar during breaks; single vocal track which heavy swirling echo; second vocal track during final line of song.

What It's About:

An ancient moon-god lies largely neglected, confined to a single location as time passes, ignoring the pleas of those who call to him for help. Finally, stirred by the bloody rituals of his few remaining followers, he returns and promises that he will mercilessly destroy the cities of those who forgot him. He has waited a long time, but now he's back, a vengeful creature.

Lyrics (adapted from the Cloud-Zero archive):

I stood here when this city was a cave,
face contorted, angry eyes aflame!
Spitting vows I couldn't keep
I'm one...for the pearl moon,
one for the pearly moon in the sky.

Put-ta-put-ta-put-ta-put-ta-pearl moon.
Put-ta-put-ta-put-ta-put-ta-pearl moon.

I knelt here, caged and weeping in the wind,
cried aloud for those who died for me.
Whispered prayers for those who lived,
one for the pearl moon.
Prayers for the pearl moon!

Ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay pearl moon.
Ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay pearl moon.

I slept here as the grass grew 'round my head,
undisturbed though pilgrims called my name.
Unimpressed by children's cries
they cried for the pearl moon.
Cry in the pearly moon in the sky!

Pearl moon.
Ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay pearl moon.

I rose here, stirred by vigils in the night,
stars and circles scratched out in the dust.
Mumbled lights and cups of blood
there's blood in the pearl moon.

Ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay-ove-ay...

I will lead here, waste your cities, smash your walls,
got no mercy though you beg me to stop!
'Cause I've wasted much too long.