Leela Radio Program
Safely in the Arms of Love

Safely in the Arms of Love was released 9/1/11. It tells the story of a young highlander, which is described in the liner notes below:

Despite his father's concerns, the young highlander announced his plan to go to the continent, to seek his fame and fortune, leaving the "Spirit of the Highlands" behind him. His first challenge: crossing "Stormy Seas" during dangerous weather. Barely surviving the crossing, he soon realized he was "Far Away From Home" and no longer felt so self-assured. Eventually, though, his path took him to his destination, "The Royal City", where he would apprentice with his uncle in his "Alchemist's Workshop."

As a country boy in a big city, the young highlander's attention regularly wandered. One day, he heard the approaching sounds of a "Byzantine Carnival Parade"; he would work no more that day. Approaching the carnival tents, he was drawn to the sultry music that accompanied a pair of "Veiled Dancers." He became mesmerized by the beauty of one young oriental dancer, his "Asian Flower." He found her later that evening, and they spent some time together, "Alone in the Night." As blissful as that encounter was, the two young lovers realized they now faced a challenging situation. This was Medieval, Christian Europe, and the oppressive Inquisition was in full force. The young man could only pray "Kyrie," for he knew his consorting with a foreigner would likely place him in serious trouble.

It didn't take long for the religious authorities to discover the love affair. The dreaded officials of the "Dark Times (The Inquisition)" arrested the highlander and took him away. In his captivity, all he could pray was "Miserere Mei" and ponder his fate. When all hope seemed lost, three shadowy figures in dark robes opened his cell door and led the young man away from his captors, with the hounds of the Inquisition hot on his trail ("Escape and Pursuit"). Eventually, the sound of his pursuers faded into the distance, and the highlander was free, for the moment. Initially despondent, as a hunted fugitive, hope returned when the same shadowy figures who accomplished the escape now revealed themselves to the young highlander; his father (having just arrived from the highlands), his uncle, and his Asian Flower ("Desolation and Absolution"). Truly, at the end of the day, the young highlander found himself "Safely in the Arms of Love."

Namaste,
Michael

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