Singer / Songwriter / Lyrics / Music = Songs

• St-Kilda-prequel-2.mp3
• St-Kilda-prequel-2.mp4
• St-Kilda-prequel-3.mp3
• St-Kilda-prequel-3.mp4
• St-Kilda-prequel-4.mp3
• St-Kilda-prequel-4.mp4
• St-Kilda-prequel.mp3
• St-Kilda-prequel.mp4
• St-Kilda.mp3
• St-Kilda.mp4

Imminent harm,
Sound the alarm!

[Verse 1]
In Scotland’s misty embrace, St. Kilda stands tall,
Sea birds and creatures, answer nature’s call.
But primate change lurks, like a shadow in the night,
Threatening this haven, with all of its might.

[Chorus]
Increasing temperatures, storms on the rise,
Changing currents, painting ominous skies.
The National Trust, with worries they bear,
As St. Kilda’s future hangs in the air.

[Break}
Imminent harm,
Sound the alarm!

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Verse 2]
Scholars’ voices echo, a warning to heed,
As warming seas disrupt, the islands’ life feed.
Seabirds in peril, sadly numbers decline,
Facing a fate, once so divine.

[Chorus]
Increasing temperatures, storms on the rise,
Changing currents, painting ominous skies.
The National Trust, with worries they bear,
As St. Kilda’s future hangs in the air.

[Break}
Imminent harm,
Sound the alarm!

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Drum Fills]

[Bridge]
Just like Lyonesse, in Arthurian tale,
St. Kilda’s fate, on a similar trail.
A land once thriving, now lost to the sea,
Will St. Kilda, too, meet the same destiny?

[Verse 3]
In tales of old, Lyonesse did drown,
A kingdom’s demise, in a night’s cruel gown.
Could St. Kilda face, a similar plight,
As climate change roars, with all of its might?

[Chorus]
Increasing temperatures, storms on the rise,
Changing currents, painting ominous skies.
The National Trust, with worries they bear,
As St. Kilda’s future hangs in the air.

[Break}
Imminent harm,
Sound the alarm!

[Outro]
So let us take heed, and act with great care,
To protect St. Kilda, from the fate we share.
For if we ignore, the signs that we see,
St Kilda may vanish, like Lyonesse in the sea.
Tragedy

[End]

A SCIENCE AND HISTORY NOTE
Scientists have pinpointed the most significant climate change threats to one of Scotland’s most delicate environments, St Kilda, located more than 40 miles (64km) west of the Western Isles. This remote archipelago is not only home to thousands of seabirds but also hosts unique sub-species of mouse and wren. A recent study indicates that rising temperatures, alongside more frequent and severe storms, and alterations in ocean currents, pose the greatest risks to the ecosystem of St Kilda.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which oversees St Kilda, has already observed the impact of warmer seas on the islands’ avian food chain. Scientists utilized the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) to assess climate change threats comprehensively.

Susan Bain, NTS manager for St Kilda, highlighted the study’s warnings about the future challenges facing the trust in managing the archipelago. She emphasized, “Warming sea temperatures are already disrupting the food chain crucial for the hundreds of thousands of seabirds that breed here annually, putting certain species at risk of disappearing from St Kilda permanently.” Bain further expressed concerns that changing currents could exacerbate these impacts, fundamentally altering habitats and consequently affecting the bird populations.

A recent seabird species count in 2023 indicated an overall decline in numbers by 61%. Bain noted that stormier weather could lead to damage to historic properties on Hirta, one of the islands comprising St Kilda, and could also pose logistical challenges for staff, volunteers, and tourists visiting the area.

Historic Similarities
Lyonesse holds a significant place in Arthurian legend, notably featuring in the tragic tale of Tristan and Iseult. It served as the homeland of the heroic Tristan, a distinguished Knight of the Round Table, whose father, King Meliodas, ruled over Lyonesse. In Arthurian lore, Lyonesse is a mythical and “lost” land believed to have once connected Cornwall in western England to the Isles of Scilly in the English Channel.

The name “Lyonesse” first emerged in Thomas Malory’s late 15th-century work, Le Morte Darthur, where it was portrayed as the native land of Tristan. Interestingly, earlier Arthurian legends had associated Tristan with Leonois, likely the region around Saint-Pol-de-Léon in Brittany. Malory’s adoption of the name “Lyonesse” is a deviation from the original association.

Legend holds that Lyonesse met a tragic fate by sinking beneath the waves in a single night. Discrepancies exist in stories regarding the date of this catastrophic event, with some narratives pointing to 11 November 1099, while others suggest it occurred a decade earlier. According to one version, the kingdom faced divine retribution for an unspecified heinous crime committed by its people. The ensuing night witnessed a devastating storm culminating in a colossal wave that engulfed Lyonesse.

From the album “Nowadays” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• What’s for Dinner?.mp3
• What’s for Dinner?.mp4

Come and get it

[Verse 1]
I’m getting thinner
Could use something to eat
What’s for dinner
Hope it beats this heat

[Bridge]
Abused the land
(Do you understand)
Built a slaughter
(On our water)

[Chorus]
What’s to eat (I’m beat)
Getting crude (About food)
Can’t you see (I’m hungry)
Better feed me (Or you’ll see)

[Instrumental, Guitar, Solo, Drums]

[Verse 2]
Famished
I could use a dish
What’s for dinner
Hope it beats this heat

[Bridge]
Abused the land
(Do you understand)
Built a slaughter
(On our water)

[Chorus]
What’s to eat (I’m beat)
Getting crude (About food)
Can’t you see (I’m hungry)
Better feed me (Or you’ll see)

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drums Fills]

[Verse 2]
Famished
Could sure use a dish
Ravished
Like a fascist

[Bridge]
Abused the land
(Do you understand)
Built a slaughter
(On our water)

[Chorus]
What’s to eat (I’m beat)
Getting crude (About food)
Can’t you see (I’m hungry)
Better feed me (Or you’ll see)

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Drum Fills]

A SCIENCE NOTE
Agricultural activities can contribute to food insecurity through various channels:

1. Land Degradation: Intensive farming practices, such as overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, monocropping, and improper irrigation, can degrade soil quality and reduce its fertility. This degradation makes it challenging to sustainably produce crops, leading to lower yields and diminished agricultural productivity over time.
2. Water Depletion: Agriculture is a major consumer of freshwater resources, often accounting for a significant portion of water usage in many regions. Excessive water extraction for irrigation can deplete groundwater reserves and diminish surface water sources, leading to water scarcity for both agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. This scarcity can result in reduced crop production and limited access to water for drinking and sanitation, contributing to food insecurity.
3. Climate Change: Agricultural activities, particularly large-scale farming and deforestation, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which drive climate change. Climate change can lead to more frequent and severe weather events, such as droughts, floods, storms, and heatwaves, which can adversely affect crop yields and livestock productivity. Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns can also disrupt traditional agricultural practices, making it challenging for farmers to predict growing seasons and adapt their cultivation methods accordingly.
4. Loss of Biodiversity: Intensive agricultural practices often prioritize high-yield crop varieties and livestock breeds, leading to a loss of biodiversity in agroecosystems. This loss of biodiversity reduces the resilience of agricultural systems to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors, making crops and livestock more vulnerable to outbreaks and failures. Furthermore, monocultures are more susceptible to catastrophic crop failures due to their lack of genetic diversity, posing risks to food security.
5. Food Waste: Inefficient agricultural practices, inadequate infrastructure, and poor post-harvest handling contribute to significant food losses and waste throughout the food supply chain. Food loss occurs at various stages, including harvesting, transportation, storage, processing, and distribution. Food waste not only represents a lost opportunity to alleviate hunger but also exacerbates food insecurity by reducing the availability of nutritious food for consumption.

Addressing these challenges requires implementing sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and resilience to climate change. Additionally, promoting equitable access to land, water, and other productive resources can enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and rural communities, ultimately contributing to global food security.

From the album “Nowadays” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• Man’s Best Enemy.mp3
• Man’s Best Enemy.mp4

There’s a little song
And it goes like this:
Life can’t be
Hit or miss

[Verse]
When it comes to Man’s best friend
It could be him
Man’s best friend
Once again
[Bridge]
’cause somehow
right about now
It’s clear to see

His worst enemy
A rear-view mirror fantasy

[Chorus]
The foot-on-the-gas free pass
Just cannot last
The pumping of the gas
Is way, way too fast
The primate climate
Is a thing of the past

[Verse]
When it comes to Man’s best friend
It could be Man
Then Man ran
Ran amuck, what the….

[Bridge]
’cause somehow
right about now
It’s clear to see

His worst enemy
A rear-view mirror fantasy

[Chorus]
The foot-on-the-gas free pass
Just cannot last
The pumping of the gas
Is way, way too fast
The primate climate
Is a thing of the past

A SCIENCE NOTE
“Man’s Best Enemy” offers a thought-provoking commentary on humanity’s role in climate change, using the metaphor of man’s relationship with his supposed best friend to illustrate the destructive impact of human actions on the environment.

The opening lines set the stage for introspection, suggesting that life cannot simply be left to chance or taken for granted. As the verse unfolds, the focus shifts to the concept of man’s best friend, traditionally thought to be the loyal and faithful dog. However, the song subverts this notion, implying that man himself may be his own worst enemy, particularly when it comes to environmental stewardship.

The bridge introduces the idea that this realization is dawning on humanity, as it becomes increasingly clear that the actions of the past, symbolized by the rear-view mirror, are catching up with us. The phrase “rear-view mirror fantasy” implies that our previous disregard for the consequences of our actions is no longer sustainable in the face of the climate crisis.

The chorus drives home the urgency of the situation, highlighting the unsustainable nature of our reliance on fossil fuels and the rapid pace at which we are degrading the environment. The imagery of the foot on the gas pedal represents humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress and consumption, which is ultimately leading to our own downfall and the demise of the planet’s climate stability.

In the second verse, the focus returns to man as the central figure in this narrative. The repetition of “It could be Man” underscores the idea that humanity is both the perpetrator and victim of its own actions, as our shortsightedness and greed lead to environmental catastrophe.

“Man’s Best Enemy” serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for humanity to reassess its relationship with the planet and take meaningful action to mitigate the effects of climate change before it’s too late.

From the album “Nowadays” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment