Stoker and Hoelle Present: Dracula!

In the tradition of the great concept albums of the 70's, Tom chronicles the classic tale of Dracula... as Bram Stoker would have intended.  From the upbeat opening with Jonathan Harker's excitement to be chosen for a special assignment abroad, to his fateful meeting with the Count, Renfield's special kind of lunacy and Lucy's demise... until finally, with Van Helsing's help, facing the demon with nothing short of Mina's salvation at stake!  This long awaited cd captures it all!

Stoker and Hoelle Present: Dracula!

   The Lyrics: 

  -  Sweet Little Mina © 2011 Tom Hoelle

My boss says I’ve got a good shot at a partnership

He even sent me on my own on this critical business trip

My predecessor must’ve been outclassed

He couldn’t seem to handle this task

So I’ll close the deal and I’ll show ‘em all who’s really the best!

There’s a wealthy old Count who’s the last of his clan I’m told

He wants to buy property in town from the deeds I hold

When I settle this deal and come back

My career’s gonna take a fast track

And I’m gonna marry my Sweet Little Mina at last!

She’s my Sweet Little Mina

There’s nothing in the whole wide world that could come between us

Her eyes light up with her smile

With a look that was born to beguile

And though we’ve been in love all this while

Until this trip is over I could only hope to hold her in my dreams

This count seems a little eccentric but I guess it’s ok

Since he’s buying up a lot of old property from so far away

I didn’t even put up a fight

When he insisted on meeting at night

‘Cause the first rule of business is “the customer’s always right”

Well, I’ve never been so far from my own little neighborhood

And this land seems more desolate, somehow, than I understood

But when I settle this deal and come back

My career’s gonna take a fast track

And I’m gonna marry my Sweet Little Mina at last!

She’s my Sweet Little Mina

There’s nothing in the whole wide world that could come between us

Her eyes light up with her smile

With a look that was born to beguile

And though we’ve been in love all this while

Until this trip is over I could only hope to hold her in my dreams

Civilization’s long since gone and yet we tarry on

Through the highlands, the lowlands, the wetlands and the barren lands beyond

My destination’s still not in sight

I’m surrounded by increasing signs of plight

And there’s a feeling in the air there’s something here that’s just not right

After days on the road this is getting fairly old to me

Being a businessman abroad’s not all they always said it would be

But when I settle this deal and come back

My career’s gonna take a fast track

And I’m gonna marry my Sweet Little Mina at last

She’s my Sweet Little Mina

There’s nothing in the whole wide world that could come between us

She’s my Sweet Little Mina

She’s my Sweet Little Mina…

++++++++++++

  -  The Borgo Pass © 2011 Tom Hoelle

Hey Driver, leave my bags up on the coach for I can’t stay

I’ve got a midnight rendezvous and I must be on my way

But where would you be going this time of night he begged to ask

I’m on my way to meet a man up on the Borgo Pass

He said No!  No!  I’m begging you not to go!

I believe there’s an evil that awaits you there

And you surely don’t want to go!

Well, I must confess I’d said of this quest

We should probably wait til the morning

But it just wouldn’t be – it was business you see

And I’d pay no heed to that warning

I mounted that coach in spite of the cries

From the villagers’ sad lament

With a crack of the whip and a creak of the wheel

We lunged toward my intent

We climbed and we climbed on the mountain’s path

Til the night felt an eerie chill

Still the horses plod, with a steaming breath

As if against their will

My vest pocket’s watch said 10 til 12

When we pulled up into the pass

I couldn’t have guessed what would happen next

But was glad to be there at last

The driver threw my bags to the ground with a thud

Then he drove off into the night

I suddenly knew I was utterly alone

And I felt the first pangs of fright!

No!  No!  I’m begging you please don’t go!

I believe there’s an evil that awaits me here

And I surely don’t want to go!

Well, I must confess I’d said of this quest

I believe it should wait 'til the morning

But it just wouldn’t be – it was business you see

And we’d pay no heed to that warning

No!!!

So here I stand alone along this mountain range’s path

Surrounded by Carpathian wilds – awash in the full moon’s bath

When all at once a fog rolls in to blanket turf and track

And then to stir and glow, reflecting the full moon’s radiance back

     (Dominus vobiscum – et com spirit tu tuo)

But wait! – I’m not alone – amid the sound of the rustling leaves

In a sudden break in the shifting wind comes the sound of a howling beast

A flurry of flapping wings explode in response as a coach appears

But shrouded all in black, the coachman’s stoop shall allay no fears

What am I doing here?  What am I doing here?

I simply climb in the coach…

Then we’re off with a lurch through the dead of the night over rocks and craggy paths

I fought to regain composure – so I could chide the driver’s tacks

Looking at his stoop, it's worse it seems – he’s no longer in sight, in fact

And then glancing down, a sheer cliff looms and I’m taken quite aback

We were traveling fast on this mountain pass and I closed my eyes in fear

But nothing could silence the sound of the howls of the wild wolves circling near

Then all at once, the coach, it slowed and I dared to fetch a glance

We were easing through a fiery ring where naught but the devil dance

No!  No!  I’m begging you please don’t go!

I believe there’s an evil that awaits us there

And I surely don't want to go!

I must confess, I’d said of this quest

We should probably wait til the morning

But it just wouldn’t be – it was business you see

And we’d pay no heed to this warning

Stepping down from the coach I could finally see there was no driver there to tell

When I turned to step toward the castle gate, the coach was gone as well

Staring in amazement at the broken battlements and piles of fallen stone

I wondered what kind of a man or a beast would call these ruins home!

No! No!  I surely don’t want to go…  No!  No!  No!

 ++++++++++++

 - Welcome (You Lead, I’ll Follow) © 2011 Tom Hoelle

      (Welcome to my home)

You Lead – nobility still reigns and so do you

And I’ll Follow – ‘cause there’s really nothing else for me do to

Down darkened corridors – chiseled in cold stone

Past ancient empty halls – just you and me alone

Your candelabrum flickers – in the darkness it disturbs

The air is thick and foul – and it reeks of rotting herbs

There’s creatures underfoot – and I feel cobwebs in my hair

And I’ve got the strangest sense – of being drawn into a lair

When distant wolves begin to bay – you turn to me and smile and say

“Those children of the night – what sweet music they can make”

Then we step into a room to find a warm fire aglow…

And I think we have arrived…

So – is the feast you have laid out here just for me?

Well, I know – that etiquette should restrain me but I’m famished, you see

<spoken> This wine is really excellent – won’t you join me?

But no – you never indulge in wine – or so you say

Your eyes glow – perhaps it’s just this wine that is affecting me this way

<spoken> But I’m feeling so much better now – would you care to see these deeds?

You read – intense in-depth perusal nearly sates your needs

You question me – seems no detail’s too small regarding properties you seek

<spoken> Here’s Carfax of Purfleet – in need of restoration, but otherwise complete

Have no fear – this property is adjoined by Dr Seward’s in the rear

And so near – why, me and my sweet Mina will be just minutes from here

<spoken> And you can sign right here…

You take your leave – the paperwork’s all been signed we’ve sealed the deal

And I’ll retire – it’s very nearly dawn and my senses reel

     (Welcome – to my home)

I toss and turn in fits of sleep – my dreams, at once, cold, cruel and bleak

And then of creatures yet untold – they’re sucking life from my very soul

There’s someone in my room it seems – more evil than my wildest dreams

And I’m startled to a waking state – to find my host’s imposing gait

He warns me not to roam too far – for the castle may seem quite bizarre

To foreigners unaccustomed to – the ways of distant lands

And it occurs to me I may not be free to move about as I please…

Am I some kind of a prisoner?   …indeed!

 ++++++++++++

 - 3 Ladies © 2011 Tom Hoelle

I decided to take a walk through the place just to see

What a bit of exploration might reveal to me

Slipping through the halls about as quietly as I could

I followed the path the light from my candle told me I could

I saw pretty much what I expected to see

Dark and dank halls, one after another would greet me

And just when I was beginning to think I’d totally lost my way

I stumbled around a corner to find a chamber in “oddly erotic” disarray

There were 3 enticing ladies with a gleam in their eyes

A blond, brunette and an auburn – I was totally tantalized

I froze in my tracks, all I could do was stand and stare

When they began to whisper my name it seemed to echo from everywhere

There was something about these ladies that a mere look could unleash

My heart began to pound - my skin began to creep

I felt the urge of an animal - it’s too hard to explain

How these 3 lovely creatures could have effected such a change in me

Amid the strains of hissing moans – their whispers near obscene

Saying “Come my boy and find yourself a place for you in me”

And one by one they sidled up and they took me down to play

To taste and touch and torment while my sanity slipped away

I’d never been the object of such blatant feminine desire

And I slipped into a hazy dream of raging carnal fire

Smothered in flesh I felt both biting pain and ecstasy

As I sensed the flow of life being steadily drained from me

 (Ohhhh...)

 (Ve Jess' Mine!) 

Well, there he was – the man himself – that I originally came to see

Looking with disgust at my 3 lady friends and me

I didn’t really feel ashamed as much as I felt fear

To have this man – this mighty man – find the 4 of us in here

When my lady friends jumped up and ran, I began to see my plight

I’d been laying with the Devil’s own and he was here to set things right

He raised his voice and shouted in some ancient foreign tongue

And me, I lay there whimpering, without the strength to even rise and run

When the ladies finally answered he refocused on their pleas

He produced a small child – held it up for all to see

And to my shock and horror those 3 ladies did converge

On that poor defenseless child, who’s screams would not be heard

He turned to me and he laughed a hideous laugh I’ll not forget

He seemed to take such great delight in seeing me so upset

I then began to beg to be aroused from this bad dream

But he looked into my eyes with so much evil I just had to scream!

What next?

How do I get outta here?

What have I gotten myself into now?

What next?

++++++++++++

 - The Voyage of the Demeter © 2011 Tom Hoelle

++++++++++++

 - Strange Days Indeed © 2011 Tom Hoelle

These are strange days - when a ship pulls in the bay

And the crew’s all gone but the ship docks anyway

The captain’s at the helm – he had to strap himself down

But he never survived the trip, either way

Well the cargo’s also odd – just some crates full of earth and sod

Addressed to an abandoned abbey, send it on it’s way

And then the dockworkers claim to spy – some kinda wolf-like creature in flight

They say it bound from the ship and it took off into the night

So the rumor’s running rampant, something ghastly’s been unleashed

Like a plaque upon our town, it threatens our health and disturbs our peace

It makes you want to just pack your things and steal off into the night

But who knows what could be lurking there – if the rumors turn out to be right

So we still don’t know – should we stay or go

Yes, these are strange days, indeed!

Well, the town’s leaders fear the trend – and Dr Seward’s getting busy again

With yet another new patient for asylum having just checked in

He’s apparently been abroad – and he returned with his faculties flawed

His behavior’s so strange it’s uncertain where his treatment’s to begin

So the rumor’s running rampant, something ghastly’s been unleashed

Like a plaque upon our town, it threatens our health and disturbs our peace

It makes you want to just pack your things and steal off into the night

But who knows what could be lurking there – if the rumors turn out to be right

So we still don’t know – should we stay or go

Yes, these are strange days, indeed!

Well, the one bright spot in the news these days

An announcement, a prominent couple’s engaged

The Westenra home is pleased to say

Miss Lucy is to wed Sir Arther Holmwood

But the story’s been tainted with another sad tale,

The wedding’s been delayed – the bride’s health has failed

The word from the groom – “no expense will be spared”

And a specialist’s been called in from the mainland

Yes, these are strange days indeed!

So Doctor Seward’s at wit’s end – he’s got his hands full yet again

Between Miss Lucy and the strange new patient that he’s trying to attend

And the prognosis isn’t good – neither one responds like they should

And there’s a question if the cases are related as some contend

So the rumor’s running rampant, something ghastly’s been unleashed

Like a plaque upon our town, it threatens our health and disturbs our peace

It makes you want to just pack your things and steal off into the night

But who knows what could be lurking there – if the rumors turn out to be right

So we still don’t know – should we stay or go

Yes, these are strange days, indeed!

 ++++++++++++

 - Unleash My Soul (Renfield's Remorse) © 2011 Tom Hoelle

When nature is at play

It seems to have a way of turning loved ones into prey

So scurry little one

Your fresh young flesh insights my somewhat strange delirium

I’ll marvel as you run

For blood is life and life flows full in the virile and the strong

Temptation has begun

I long to taste your flesh and spill your blood upon my tongue

Now you’re mine…  now you’re mine…  now you’re mine…  now you’re mine!

     (The man’s deranged...)

     (He seems complacent…)

     (That’s a front – he could turn at any time)

Unleash my soul!

I need to be set free

To do his will means...

Means no salvation for me

A second coming’s coming – of that you can be sure

There’s gonna be a reckoning – some may not endure

Unleash my soul, somebody please!  …set me free!

With twitching fingers and shifting eyes

A diet of mostly bugs and flies

I’ll cower in fear - but jump back with a lurch

Then drop, kneel and pray to some god with no church

I’m a wretch of a creature both twisted and sly

Diminished in status and stature and size

With no known peers, neither family nor friend

It remains to be seen what I’ll become in the end

Unleash my soul!

I need to be set free

To do his will means...

Means no salvation for me

A second coming’s coming – of that you can be sure

There’s gonna be a reckoning – some may not endure

Unleash my soul, somebody please!  …set me free!

I’ll cry in the night and beg for release

Sleeping by day – in a relative peace

Slither and slink and even crawl through the room

To take on the traits of those creatures consumed

Speaking with authority on matters of life

But can’t seem to grasp the mere notion of strife

It's a radical take on departure for sure

It’s a new kind of lunacy – with no known cure

Unleash my soul!

I need to be set free

To do his will means...

Means no salvation for me

A second coming’s coming – of that you can be sure

There’s gonna be a reckoning – some may not endure

Unleash my soul, somebody please!  …set me free!

Set me free!  ...set me free! ...set me free!

++++++++++++

 - Love’s Weaker Moments © 2011 Tom Hoelle

So your man’s away – and he’s missed more every day

While there’s people around, it seems they’ve nothing to say

No conversation fit to fill the void

Left by a man whose attentions you so enjoyed

But in troublesome times – he should be by your side

There’s no reason to roam but a love denied

And of love there’s enough for him and more, to be satisfied

At least for tonight – you can stay by your friend’s side

In spite of the protests and the notable strife

There’s been changes that seem to coincide

With a curious, impromptu, walk through the garden that night

With the mussing of the hair – and that sense that someone else was there

Something didn’t seem quite right

Just put desires aside, for now, and stay by her side

Everyone has needs of their own – often openly pursued

But for reasons unknown – mistakenly conclude

That a woman left alone – in solitude… would persevere

But what about you?

When a man approaches – he’s sure to notice - the commitments you’ve made

So what makes him be so bold? …and what makes you long to hold him?

Are you witness to a character flaw?  …would you commit again or merely pretend?

Do opposites attract after all?   …are there common traits yet to behold in him?

Or is there something else you just can’t comprehend…

Every now and then – you’ll come upon a man

Who can provide what you’re longing for

With one man away, another is sure to seem to offer so much more

But how can you say, if you’re going astray

That you don’t know what you’re looking for?

It’s only natural, after all, to seek shelter in a storm

With the allure of a prince – dark and debonair

And the hypnotic effect of his appraising stare

Indignance may be called for

But the flattery is too much for a lonely woman to bear

Guilt is meant to torment the caring few

When a colder heart would court an affair

In Love’s Weaker Moments you might even ask yourself – why care?

Why care?  …why care?

++++++++++++

 - Van Helsing © 2011 Tom Hoelle

I saw her face and I knew then

Through raging eyes in porcelain skin

She’s not well I said at last

With symptoms come from ages past

Returned again to take us to task

Concealed in disbelief he’ll fester

Well, this one’s real – this one we’ll fight

Since history’s written by the victor

And a tale that’s told grows bold and richer

We’ll once again prove might makes right

     ( - chant - )

     (What about the puncture wounds on her neck?)

      (And what about the blood loss… Yeah, what about that?)

     (And what’s with all the garlic hanging on the walls?)

     (It seems a little odd to be a Doctor’s call)

I can’t tell you all my reasons for concern just yet

     (What about the lunatic recently found?)

     (This all started happening when he came around)

     (And what about the lease on that broken down estate?)

     (With earth being brought in crate by crate)

Your simple minds can’t fathom how this evil got inside your sweet coquette

     (And what about that ship that docked without a crew?)

     (Is it reasonable to think that it’s a part of this too?)

     (Is it some kinda’ plaque that’ll ravage our town?)

     (Or the devil come to turn the place upside down?)

She’s the devil’s concubine – but there’s no time for regrets

It’s imperative I show you how to take on and defeat this ancient threat

     (What about the puncture wounds on her neck?)

     (And what about the blood loss… Yeah, what about that?)

     (And what’s with all the garlic hanging on the walls?)

     (It seems a little odd to be a Doctor’s call)

I can’t deal with this alone – I’ll need your help

     (What about the lunatic recently found?)

     (This all started happening when he came around)

     (And what about the lease on that broken down estate?)

     (With earth being brought in crate by crate)

Your precious Lucy’s caught in his spell – see for your self

     (And what about that ship that docked without a crew?)

     (Is it reasonable to think that it’s a part of this too?)

     (Is it some kinda plaque that’ll ravage our town?)

     (Or the devil come to turn the place upside down?)

Who knows who could be next – if this goes on unabated

With his quest unrestrained – his hunger won’t be sated

If I told you all the things that I’ve seen in my life

You’d probably think it’s all a pack of lies

I sometimes doubt myself but then I realize

We can idolize or demonize at will

Just pick the side that suits your skills

Maneuver… Outflank… Move in for the kill

And never stop fighting until…

No one’s left, to feel bereft or rebuild

…and by the way, Lucy’s gone!

     (So what do we got to do to make him pay?)

     (For the evil that he wrought – Doctor, what do you have to say?)

     (Think about Lucy, can you feel the rage?)

     (Show us what to do, Doctor, lead the way!)

First, we find him – and the place where he hides

To Carfax Abbey – and the crates full of earth where he lies

++++++++++++

 - The Bloofer Lady © 2011 Tom Hoelle

You batter latch all your shutters and pray

To keep the Bloofer Lady at bay

Dressed all in white, she’s a captivating sight

But she’ll steal your children away

Lurid, Lascivious and bold

They say her milky white skin is stone cold

When she wanders the night, with her voracious appetite

Young and tender is her preference I’m told

She, like you, has tasted life

And craves it, more and more

But blood is life and so is lost

When the Bloofer Lady scores

So we go down to her resting place

And see the full flush cheeks on her face

Yeah, she’s been out on the prowl, another child has been fowled

And she’s in no mood to settle with grace

Lucy?

She wants you – she’ll have you know

With seduction’s full delight

But a woman scorned isn’t half the hell

Of the Bloofer Lady’s bite!

She turns to spit and hisses loud

Then crawls back in her bed

We poised the stake and drove it home

Then relieved her of her head!

Well, I trespassed, and I found a box

And I broke the lock and I spilled the earth

I consecrated unholy ground

Then I sought, ‘til I found more

Then I trespassed, and I found a box

And I broke the lock and I spilled the earth

I consecrated unholy ground

Until there was no more

++++++++++++

 - Too Late for Mina © 2011 Tom Hoelle

Coming back home from our ghastly chores

We found our man Renfield lying there on the floor

Splattered blood glistened from within his cage

Revealed attacks born out of a sinful rage

But still he uttered with a gasping breath

“The master called” he now confessed

"I’ve served him well - as I could you know

But it’s for Miss Mina that his favors show"

Mina?  What about Miss Mina?  We perked…

Has he been here to see her?

Why yes, he said, with a fearful scowl

In fact he’s with her, even now!

And you’re too late!  You're too late for Mina

Too late!  Too late for Mina - Too late!

So up the stairs we leaped and bound

Leaving poor Renfield there just as found

We broke through the door in the face of fear and dread

And that’s where we found him – in Mina’s bed!

On their knees in a love’s caress

Mina with her face pressed up against his chest

I shuttered through visions of macabre courtships

As a stray drop of blood trickled from her lips

Too late?  Are we too late?  We feared…

Has our work been all for naught?

She seemed within a dream but what a nightmare for a mate

My heart sunk when I realized her fate

If we’re too late!  Too late for Mina

Too late!  Too late for Mina - Too late!

If evil had a face well I could swear it just glared at me

Those wild eyes burned with a devilish passion unleashed

She’s mine, he hissed… she’s now flesh of my flesh

Her look belied his spell as if indeed she’d acquiesced

But he fell into the shadows – when faced with our holy tools

So we lit a lamp to follow - into a shifting vapor he diffused

It crept across the floor – under foot and out the door into the night

We ran out in pursuit – but all we found was a winged creature taking flight

Back to poor Mina - in tears, she declared herself “unclean”

We placed a holy wafer on her forehead – in an attempt to intervene

But it burned like a brand upon her flesh – only serving further terror

She cried out “God pity me!  Look down upon a soul in worse than mortal peril!”

Too late!  Our worst fear has come to bear!

We were paralyzed in total fear

But a cooler head prevailed and brought us back from our despair

This evil’s on the run there’s no time left to spare

If we’re too late!  Too late for Mina

Too late!  Too late for Mina

Too late!  Too late for Mina

Too late!  Too late for Mina

Too late!

++++++++++++

- Chasing the Dragon © 2011 Tom Hoelle

And now my pet…

Watch the watch…

Pay close attention please

Feel the soothing timbre of my voice and drift away

Then tell me what you see

Reveal to me all you see within your darkest dreams – as you sleep, tell me

He’s all boxed up

He travels on a wind and wave back to his ancient homelands

Where he’ll be picked up

Arrangements have been made with local gypsy hired hands – at the docks, in Varna

We’ll take the train and head him off at Varna

A ship can only travel so fast

So be prepared to face him down at Varna

With sweet vengeance for the ladies’ souls at last

But as the train pulls in the port at Varna

We learned the ship’s course changed to port Galantz

The altered plans of course just to avoid us

And thwart our chance by slowing our advance

He’s apparently on to us

He seems to be aware of every move that we have made

It appears the portal works both ways

Whether we see out or he sees in our Mina merely serves, an unbound liaise

We’ll all split up and track him down like a beast of prey

The bastard runs, but we know which way he flees

Two by ship and two of you on horseback

And though she’s weak, Mina goes with me

We’ll catch a coach at the station in Veresti

Then straight on to the castle on the mount

Where we’ll attempt to cleanse his ancient respite

And maybe even catch him en route.

Arriving at the Borgo Pass, while the sun sets to our West

But Mina’s just too weak to travel on

So we’ll camp the night and try and get some much needed rest

For tomorrow’s when the real work must be done

++++++++++++

 - Evil Comes © 2011 Tom Hoelle

It’s strangely lush and forested here

Black branches twist, grotesque and queer

And as the dusk gives last it’s light

Mis-shapen rocks pervert the night

Fearful for our lives in such a strange habitat

I build a fire for a light that we may see

Then circle camp with wafers blessed against unholy deeds

In case some evil comes to her or me

In case some evil comes to her or me

Just then Mina startled back to life, her look so strangely coarse

Seductively approaching me, no hesitation, no remorse

Amid the rock’s fantastic shapes - I thought I caught a flit of motion

Emerged 3 ladies, they were tempting fate, they were challenging our devotions

Be gone!  I shouted right out loud - while our horses screamed and bucked

Somehow we managed to survive the night, but for the horses, no such luck

When daylight broke I lit out on foot, leaving Mina in the circle

I climbed the mount and I breached the gate and then I stepped into the castle

Within the bowels of the ancient fort I found 3 tombs in use

I disposed of their inhabitants, just as we did Lucy

I found a fourth of a manly size, but there was no one there interred

I blessed and cleansed it against the chance that it’s owner might return

Snow was falling from a dismal sky when I returned to Mina

So we started down the mountainside – though she was growing weaker

We heard a ruckus down below, like horses in a race

There was a cart of Gypsies coming fast with 4 horsemen making chase

Shots fired!  Swords ablaze! A fight ensued within a deadly haze

And rushing down to join the fray, was Mina, still within a daze

While just a sliver of the sun remained, a box broke falling from the cart

Emerged our foe, strength near regained, he was standing proud and he was taking part

He dealt poor Quincy a deadly blow, but then twice felt steel’s sting all his own

For while Harker slashed, through neck to bone, Morris drove his bowie home

He staggered once before he fell, just as Mina reached his side

He gave us all one passing glance, and then he lay back in her arms and died

That burn on Mina’s forehead cleared, but our Quincy had succumbed

So we count our blessings amid the tears, for our work at last was done

The sun had set upon an ancient age and his reign would end at last

But who’d of guessed it would have ended here

Out on the road back to the Borgo pass

++++++++++++