“If I Were A Prince” was the first in a series of songs that led down the experimental path of setting my original poems and lyrics (below) to renaissance melodies. The music is based on a beautiful 6-part motet by the Spanish Renaissance composer Alonso Lobo (1555-1617). The recording features renaissance instruments, viola da gamba (Wendy Gillespie) and recorders, rather than full band tracking. David Snider accompanies on electric bass. -- Mark Davenport Recorded and mixed at Landmark Sound in Louisville, CO. Special thanks to engineer Jake Belser at Farm Fresh Studios in Bloomington, IN, for recording the viola da gamba parts. Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering in Boulder, CO. Cover art (an Italian renaissance fresco by Melozzo da Forli), photographed by Mark Davenport. LYRICS: If I Were A Prince ©2013 Words & Music by Mark Davenport (ASCAP) Lying by my side Your open hand Gently rests A breath that sighs Shadows cast By candle light I meant to say so much Only eyes that touch My broken tongue Mute as strings That are not strung But if I were a prince With a chest of gold I’d build you a castle To have and hold With guards all around To keep you safe and sound Arms that brush Softly break The hush of night My harp is turned to mourning And my music Into the voice Of those who weep Please don’t weep If I were a knight In shining armor I could save you From your distress But I’m just a man With more or less The skin I’m in I’m not made of steel But my heart is full And it can heal If I were a prince With a chest of gold I’d build you a castle To have and hold With guards all around To keep you safe and sound If I were a prince I’d build you a castle If I were a knight I could save you From your distress If I were a prince I’d build you a castle