Blue Ulysses

Gerald Brennan—composer, lyricist
Patrick Brennan—singer, keyboards, arranger, producer,
Garrett Schmittling—guitarist
Kevin Floyd—bass
Bobby Meyers—drums

This is a song from the stage musical Penelope. Euell is in a Vietnamese prison. He hatches an escape plan, and while he slathers mud and dirt on his face and body as camouflage, he sings this song. It’s a do or die event. He misses Penelope and their daughter.
He stuffs his blanket with most of his clothing and all his effects to look as though he is sleeping under the blanket. When he is finished with that detail and has his camo all perfect, he steps back to the rear wall of his filthy dark cell and lets out a blood curdling scream. He then closes his eyes and becomes invisible in the dim light. Two soldiers burst into the cell and prod the blanket on the floor with their bayonets. Euell rushes at them and snatches their knives from their belts. And then…

My love is a lonesome highway
Over a wide, wide sea.
I pray from this place where I lay
You have a prayer for me.

And you, my darling, must not despair of me.
Nor yield to uncertainty.
My love, can you feel my yearning,
Over the wide, wide sea?

I’ll be free.
To lie in my arms again is your destiny.
I think of the things that the thought of you brings,
And never say die.

Now love, hear these words that I say,
Sweet as a mandolin:
I’ll fly down that lonesome highway
Into your arms again.

I long to say goodbye
but I’ll do it my way,
to goddesses, kings,
and all the simple fools.
They want to watch me die
on that lonesome highway,
each nursing a grudge
like they was precious jewels.

I’ll be free.
To lie in my arms again is your destiny.
I think of the things that the thought of you brings,
And never say die – on that you can rely.

So love, watch for my returning,
Over the wide, wide sea…

I know that you miss me babe.
I’m comin’ home now to be by your side.
You know that I love you baby,
In your heart you can feel me inside.
I will not be denied.
No, I will not be denied.