Swan Lee (Silas Lang)
(Barrett)


Version CD 3'11
Initial session May 28, 1968 (Take 5)
Overdubs added June 8, 1968
Final session April 25, 1969
Produced by Peter Jenner

2001 Syd Barrett Compilation 'Wouldn't You Miss Me?'
- 3'14 -
Produced by Peter Jenner
Further overdubs produced by Malcolm Jones
(take 5, unnumbered stereo remix)
Original track recorded 6th May 1968 (as 'Silas Lang' take 1)
Lead guitar, Mellotron and backwards drums overdubbed 21st May 1968 (erasing most, if not all, of the 6th May recording)
Bass guitar added 28th May 1968
Guitar overdubbed 8th June 1968
4-track to 4-track transfer 20th June and renumbered take 5
Unspecified overdubs 27th June 1968 (possibly drums)
Unspecified overdubs 20th July 1968 (possibly original vocal)
Guitar and vocals overdubbed 10th April 1969
Mixed c. August 1988

Lyrics

Swan Lee got up at the Running Foot pow-wow,
heading from the fire to his waiting canoe.
Chattering Squaw untied the wigwam door,
the chief blew smoke rings two by two!

The land in silence stands...

Swan Lee, his boat by the bank in the darkness,
loosened the rope in the creek is entwined.
A feather from the wing of a wild young eagle,
pointed to the land where his fortune he'd find

The land in silence stands

Swan Lee paddled on from the land of his fathers,
his eyes scanned the undergrowth on either side.
From the shore hung a hot, heavy, creature infested
tropic, Swan Lee had a bow by his side

The land in silence stands

Swan Lee kept time, half on land, half on water,
Grizzly bear and raccoon his fare.
He followed his ears to the great water fall,
Swan Lee knew deep down that his squaw was there!

The land in silence stands....

Suddenly the rush of the mighty great thunder,
confronted Swan Lee as his song he sang,
In the dawn, with his squaw, he was battling homewards
It was all written down by Long Silas Lang.

The land in silence stands...
The land in silence stands...
The land in silence stands.