Stoned Obituary

Three main versions:

* "1980 Version" (1980) - Prayer For Aradia Bonus Tracks (6:36)

Fades in from the "Screaming" prefix at 1:24. It already has a multi-part structure, though the lyrics are spoken in a more "prose" style than they will be subsequently.

Unavailable elsewhere, unreleased until the "Prayer for Aradia" reissue.

Instruments: Piano chords providing the rhythm; keyboard bassline; synth melody; fiery synth effects; single vocal track with plate reverb, with a second vocal joining in during the "last words" section; vocoder vocals during the quiet middle section.

* "Pulsing Keyboard Version" (1981) - Kleine Krieg (9:43)

One of the few Kleine Krieg songs that fades in cleanly, though the first few words are slightly obscured. The song now has different vocal melodies to accent different parts of the song structure. Before the "spikes" section there is an obvious cut in the vocals; that section was probably re-recorded, or it might have been a glitch during the mixing. As the song fades into the soft middle portion you can hear what seems to be the accidental inclusion of a snippet of the earlier section.

The "ankles/sandals" lyrics have been reversed (as they will be from now on), his hair is no longer "curly," everybody "stared in stony silence," and the newsguy (only one now) scribbled "furiously." His final words now end with "You mistrusted me." The "ash for ashes, dust/lust/must for dust" ending lyrics are now in there, along with much more repetition of the final lines, more Latin, and lyrics about "book your place in heaven." The instrumentation becomes more discordant near the end, fading into the "Obituary Shuffle" suffix.

Unavailable elsewhere.

Instruments: Synth keyboard with rotor effect for rhythm; organ chords; single vocal track joined by second track during quiet middle section; second vocal track with heavy plate reverb during accented sections; two synths playing melody accents; windy synth effects; wooden wind-chime percussion; single-pattern drum machine suddenly starts at 4:00.

* "Full Band Version" (1983) - Curse (11:49)

Split across two tracks on the CD. Has now solidified into four distinct sections. Ends with the struck bell echoing stridently, then suddenly cutting off.

Unavailable elsewhere.

Instruments: Two keyboards playing synth chords for the melody; cymbal/kettle drum percussion; sequenced keyboard which speeds up before middle portion; single vocal track; subtle backwards guitar; looped choir sample with slowed-down drum sounds; bass guitar; electric rhythm guitar; electric lead guitar; electronic drum kit; backup vocals by band members singing "I believe" and "die with his eyes on"; tinkly percussion; acoustic drum kit; second vocal track for lyric accents; synth melody; struck bell.

Prefix "Screaming" (1:26):

On Prayer for Aradia. Two sampled orchestral hits, looped but slightly out of sync; distant screams; quiet crying sounds; a snippet of guitar that sounds like it comes from the Full Band Version of "Apocalypse Then," crossfading into the song. None of this sounds like a 1980s Dots composition and it was probably added later.

Suffix "Obituary Shuffle" (0:50):

At the end of the Kleine Krieg version. Sped up frantic keyboard, pitch-shifted martial music, gradually fading out.

What It's About:

The epic story of a prophet who is stoned, then crucified. Much like the tragic events in other Dots songs (eg. "Black Highway") the scene has become one of exploitation and celebration...even the mourners and the angels rely on spectacle. The prophet speaks his final words, insisting that his motives were pure, and hoping that history will look favourably upon him.

Lyrics (adapted from the Cloud-Zero archive):

Lightning cracked a crooked cross
across the sky above the cross
where he'd been hanging for a day.
Stoned again.
The breeze grew, ice threw knives, blew halos.
Hallowed cinders flew together, made a cushion for his feet.

There were spikes in his ankles, spikes in his sandals,
A spike split the wood, syringed his vertebrae.
Spikes in his shins, in his chin, in his fingers,
amused apparitions hummed the Marseillaise.

We had to look away, he seemed so fragile.
Tried to offer him a cigarette but it was futile, futile, no way through.
The guards screamed "Front!", drew guns, splashed acid,
we retreated in the shadows, squatted low and said a prayer.

Cameras clicked out of sight there were fights, there were fanfares,
fireworks flashed across the cenotaph.
Kiddies played in the pits, spitting crisps, licking ice creams.
A spiv threw an auction for his autograph.
Never thought it would finish this way.
No resistance, not a word to say.
Maybe we'll meet in heaven,
talk about the good old days.
I still believe...at least I WANT to.

The angels landed cleared their throats and chorused "Crown him!"
Poured a potion on his curly hair, it nearly drowned him.
And called a minute's silence. Called the clowns in
and a cripple touched his foot and did a cartwheel down the hill

turning once for his wisdom, twice for the pearl moon,
third as the thief cried "It's judgement day."
Rolled his eyes, ripped his shirt, rolled insane in the dirt.
Applause ripped the heavens, blew the clouds away.

Laughter died as schoolgirls passed around the tissues.
Pretty patterns while a message said
"We're gonna miss you. Bless you. Bless your eyes."
A bell rang twice and we fell as his lips moved
staying silent as the news guys scribbled down his final words:

"Made mistakes, been a fool, tried so hard, never thought
what started so well would end in misery.
But my motives were good, thought you all understood,
don't be hard when this day is cloaked in history."

He died with his eyes on.
Died with his eyes on.

Nomini spiritus spiritus sancti.

Why You Should Care:

The Pulsing Keyboard Version is a big step forward for the band when it comes to song structure; even as far back as the 1980 Version there is a sophistication beyond most of the other tracks of the time. This is the first real Dots epic.

There is a "Barbed Obituary" on Chemical Playschool 3, and "Die With Yer Eyes On" also appears as a song on "Kleine Krieg."

The "pearl moon" is also mentioned in "One for the Pearl Moon."