Cover art for The Fountain of Salmacis (Live in Concert at Paris Studios, London, 2nd March 1972) by Genesis

The Fountain of Salmacis (Live in Concert at Paris Studios, London, 2nd March 1972)

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Mar. 3, 20231 viewer

The Fountain of Salmacis (Live in Concert at Paris Studios, London, 2nd March 1972) Lyrics

The fountain of Salmacis
From a dense forest of tall, dark, pinewood. Mount Ida rises like an island. Within a hidden cave nymphs had kept a child. Hermaphroditus, son of gods, so afraid of their love

As the dawn creeps up the sky, the hunter caught sight of a doe. In desire for conquest, he found himself within a glade he'd not be held before

Hermaphroditus:
Where are you my father? Give wisdom to your son

Narrator:
Then he could go no further. Now lost, the boy was guided by the sun
And as his strength began to fail, he saw a shimmering lake. A shadow in the dark green depths, disturbed the strange tranquility

Salmacis:
The waters are disturbed. Some creature has been stirred

Narrator:
The waters are disturbed. The naiad queen Salmacis has been stirred

As he rushed to quench his thirst, a fountain spring appeared before him. And as his heated breath brushed through the cool mist, a liquid voice called ‘Son of gods, drink from my spring.’

The water tasted strangely sweet. Behind him the voice called again. He turned and saw her in a cloak of mist alone. And as he gazed, her eyes were filled with the darkness of the lake

Salmacis:
We shall be one. We shall be joined as one

Narrator:
She wanted them as one. Yet he had no desire to be one
Hermaphroditus:
Away from me cold-blooded woman. Your thirst is not mine

Salmacis:
Nothing will cause us to part. Hear me O gods

Unearthly calm descended from the sky. And then their flesh and bones were strangely merged
Forever to be joined as one

The creature crawled into the lake. A fading voice was heard: "And I beg, yes I beg, that all who touch this spring, may share my fate."
Salmacis:
We are the one. We are the one

Narrator:
The two are now made one. Demi-god and nymph are now made one

Both had given everything they had. A lover's dream had been fulfilled at last. Forever still beneath the lake

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  1. 4.
    The Fountain of Salmacis (Live in Concert at Paris Studios, London, 2nd March 1972)
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Recorded At
BBC Paris Studios, London, UK, 2nd March 1972
Release Date
March 3, 2023
The Fountain of Salmacis (Live in Concert at Paris Studios, London, 2nd March 1972) Is A Live Version Of
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