Swaying witches
Carnival of bygone days
Sir Gaunie and the Witch
“Witching Creek” painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender in May, 1982.
King Henry was a mighty man,
Who lived in Engeland,
No harm e’re fell on honest folk,
From out of Henry’s hand.
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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,
Handsome for to see,
And he’s to marry with a witch,
To save King Henery.
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The witch from out the deep, green wood,
Told Henry what to say,
She told him that a woman always,
Wanted for her way.
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King Henry answered well and true.
He spake so bright, so gay
The Baron sadly hung his head.
And sadly rode away.
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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,
And many a tear was shed,
The day he married with a witch,
And taken her to bed.
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‘Twas then she turned a princess fair,
And though they all did try,
No fairer one was ever seen,
With sight of human eye.
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The Soldier and the Lady
A soldier come from Georgia way,
Of ridin’ he was weary.
He tingled on the side-door ring
To hearken up his lady.
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She’s took him by the bridle line,
She’s led him to the stable.
“Here’s oats, here’s corn, here’s hay for your horse,
Let him eat what he is able.”
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She’s took him by the lily-white hand,
She’s led him to the table.
“Here’s cakes and wine for you, my dear,
Come eat what you are able.”
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She’s went to smooth his downy bed,
And she smoothed it like a lady,
And off she took her red, red dress,
Said, “Dearie, are you ready?”
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Off come his bugle soldier’s coat,
Off come his boots of leather,
And quickly into bed he jumped,
And there they lay together.
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He held her high, he held her low,
For hours one, two. and three,
When the bugle blew, she did fear so much
Did sound forth cruelly.
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“When shall we meet and marry, dear,
If you cannot tarry?”
“When cockle-shells turn silver bells,
‘Tis then that we shall marry.”
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Fairytale kisses
“Fairytales are so described by those who may not have believed what they saw, smelled, tasted, touched, and heard.” SRB
Night Flowers
“The Wayfaring Stranger” is a “well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life” – Wikipedia.
Timmy, oh Timmy, where have you gone?
Memory of a Drowned Town
Memory of a Drowned Town
The river washed my house away,
I always liked the view.
The rocks that I had piled up,
Tumbled away and broke through.
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My cat climbed into the highest tree,
My dog just ran away.
Only the old rooster,
Took command of the bay.
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Down in the valley so far below,
Lay a wasted town.
Some people found their old row boats,
The rest must have drowned.
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We never thought the storm would come,
To our sacred isle.
This is what comes to the best of us,
When we live our lives in denial.
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Sanford Ross Bender – Copyright: 12.30.2015
Polar Ardor
A short animation about polar life and love created by Camille Wainer (camillewainer.com) in collaboration with composer Sanford Bender (sanfordbender.com).
Inspired by the paper cut style of early animator Lotte Reiniger, Polar Ardor incorporates the additive techniques of woodblock stamping and Chine-collé printmaking to recreate a delicate landscape threatened by division and deterioration.The whimsical music of composer/architect Sanford Bender accompanies each stage of the polar bear’s journey through a varied composition using only two symbolic forms (the heart and the puzzle piece). Simply and subtly, Polar Ardor offers an optimistic message about the importance of collaboration and compassion in the face of an uncertain future.
Lycanthrope
Lycanthrope
Darting furtively through the mist
Cursed under lunar brightness
The valiancy of my heart
Slashed by razor teeth
Became my darkest side
Evil enclosing
My nocturnal lair
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Mud tracked prints
Find me sprawled
In the dawn of twisted sheets
Like tormented trees
Gnarled from remembering
What blackened life
Is forever gone
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But only the music
Of wind and owls
And the crackling rain
Had abided my incessant howls
Until yet another night
When gliding clouds
Reveal another full newness of moon
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S.R. Bender, January 8, 2011