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Commentary
This song was inspired by the painted wolves of Africa featured in the
BBC “Dynasties” series. The name ‘’Painted Wolves’’ is a literal translation of
their Latin name lycaon pictus & is considerably less pejorative than more vague
names such as “wild dogs”. They are indeed more closely related to other wolves
than to domestic dogs, both genetically & behaviourally. With only 6,600 of them
left in the world in late 2018, painted wolves are Africa’s second most endangered
species, with their habitat increasingly encroached upon & restricted by ever-
The phrase ‘come tomorrow’ has several different possible interpretations.
It could be an optimistic wish, or a determination, for something better (when considering
the 2 words alone) or (when considering the 2 words together with the previous clause)
a fatalistic acceptance, or perhaps an unwitting prediction, of the future’s darker
consequences.
Keep young among us
For those that dawdle
May make foes’ jaws full
-
Drooped our tails,
Hearts smart.
Grief stung.
Heads hung.
Scent that’s sent by breeze.
Nose that knows. No eye sees.
Pack agrees.
Pause these paws
& contemplate.
Fan out downwind like
huge open mouth poised,
Unseen, without sound.
Chase. Trap. Snap.
Bound. Swiftly surround.
Prey downed
to ground
Fast feast.
Scavengers scrum & steal.
Food fleeced...
yet we’ll sate our hunger,
come our next meal.
Composer: Ed Hooke
Written: January-
Recorded: August 2019
Can we no more than spectate?
Defy hyenas.
Lions, let’s leave lie.
Ears pricked for danger,
pointed for prey
the eye is yet to spy.
Stand by.
Lands shrink...
spoils of two-
Bring brink.
Fewer falls our number...
come tomorrow!
Spray mark territory.
Intruders ruthlessly tracked.
Rivals’ survivals’ not our worry.
Hunt on!
Trust the skills that we know.
Day gone.
New dawn brings new hunger...
come tomorrow!
Stand. Sing.
High hoot, harmony howl
stating:-
wild & wide the worlds where
painted wolves prowl.