PARASOL

when I come to terms, to terms with this
when I come to terms with this
when I come to terms, to terms with this
my world will change for me

I haven’t moved since the call came
since the call came I haven’t moved
I stare at the wall knowing on the other side
the storm that waits for me

then the Seated Woman with a Parasol
may be the only one you can’t Betray
if I’m the Seated Woman with a Parasol
I will be safe in my frame

I have no need for a sea view
for a sea view I have no need
I have my little pleasures
this wall being one of these

when I come to terms, to terms with this
when I come to terms with this
when I come to terms with this whip lash
of Silk on wool embroidery

then the Seated Woman with a Parasol
may be the only one you can’t betray
if I’m the Seated Woman with a Parasol
I will be safe in my frame

I will be safe in my frame
in your House in your frame

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I saw a painting by Seurat - Seated Woman With A Parasol - in a book on Impressionism. I was drawn to it and I started to think about Victorian women and then some women today, the type of women who don't want to intimidate their partner and so allow themselves to become reduced so the other person can feel confident."
Tori Amos: Piece by Piece

"I like the idea that a modern woman of today felt a kindred spirit in the seated woman with a parasol. Because although our woman has a bank account, has a job, isn't forced to marry anybody - She's been in this relationship and she doesn't want to lose it, on one level, but realizes that she must because she's not valued or appreciated by this person. She realizes that she has to face this."
Tori Amos, Diary Entry

Q: Men are often described negatively in your stories. Is there no divineness in them?
A: "I think the man is as divine as the woman. But I can only go from my own perspective and own experiences. The masculine divineness is pretty ok. Like in the song 'Parasol'. Here a woman has to fight for her way of life. And it's not about a war against terrorists, but a war against a friend, a lover, or a colleague. He doesn't want to respect the choices she makes, the evolution she goes through or the freedom she seeks. He wants to attack her on every level and tries to put her down. This is the problem she has to deal with."
Tori Amos, OOR Magazine (2005)

"Parasol is a song about deep betrayal and how this woman survives this experience without becoming victimized in the end, by being able to transform herself. And as the song says "If I'm the seated woman with the parasol I'll be the only one." There will always be someone who feels trapped in a situation like the seated woman with the parasol."
Tori Amos, The Beekeeper Limited Edition Bonus DVD


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