Inspired (or should I say "despaired") by too many instances of abuse and assault against girls and women Mole knows, this is a reminder that maybe it's not best to just teach our sons how to handle themselves in a fight. The title is French for "the armed woman" - a play on the name of an old Renaissance chanson L'Homme Arme ("the Armed Man"). Musically, it carries forth the Molish progressive metal tradition, with harmony flutes over the intro and a crazy 10/8 section near the end. Gary and Joe have done some wonderful things with the arrangement. Matt's NJ Renaissance Kingdom musical friends Christina and Lisa join us here, and Christina put forward her friend Anna as vocalist when Matt mentioned to her he had a metal song that needed a female singer. She worked out rather well!

Anna LaBella (novavulpes@gmail.com) - lead vocals
Christina Kirk - harmony vocals
Lisa Thompson (of Sarabande) - harmony flute
Mole - backing vocals, electric and classical guitar, flute
Joe - backing "hups", keys, bass guitar
Tony Renda (www.myspace.com/liquidgardenrocks) - bass guitar
Gary - drums

Lyrics

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LA FEMME ARME - 6:01

1-Arm yourself only you are always there to protect you
Laws and friends on your side cannot help all the time
2-You must beware the armed man he is always out there There'll be a time he will find you all alone

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Hard times have come in the streets, at the hearthside
At the hands of a stranger or someone you know
Rape and assault may lurk 'round any corner
Danger abounds for women

Laws against violence, attempts at justice
Can't erase pain, though they punish the crime
There may be a time when there's none there to help
Though the system may be on your side

CHORUS: Learn how to fight, make your body a weapon
Be your own guard, by knowledge armed
Help build a world where those who do evil
Shall be the ones who come to harm

Reject the tradition where men do the fighting
Where your safety is lost with no hero near
Look to yourself and you'll find that you never
Are in danger without a champion

It takes time and effort, it will not be easy
But the price that you pay is your own freedom
Raise up your daughters with strong minds and bodies
So they may be safe in their lives

CHORUS: Learn how to fight, make your body a weapon
Be your own guard, by knowledge armed
Help build a world where those who do evil
Shall be the ones who come to harm