The vault of lost lyrics, chapter 19

An adaptation from Molly Bloom's speech at the conclusion of Ulysses, this song is one my favourite Kate Bush singles. Both the vocal delivery and the instrumentation are so feminine! Sadly, like so much of her music, it was badly under-appreciated when it was released in 1989, despite a gorgeous video. So you've probably never heard this lyric — or Kate's original lyrical working of Molly's speech, which Kate released as "Flower of the Mountain" on her 2011 album Director's Cut.

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"The Sensual World" (Kate Bush)

Mm, yes

Then I'd taken the kiss of seedcake back from his mouth

Going deep South, go down, mm yes

Took six big wheels and rolled our bodies

Off of Howth Head and into the flesh, mm yes

He said I was a flower of the mountain, yes

But now I've powers o'er a woman's body, yes

Stepping out, off the page

Into the sensual world

Stepping out

To where the water and the earth caress

And the down of a peach says mm yes

Do I look for those millionaires

Like a Machiavellian girl would

When I could wear a sunset? mm yes

And how we'd wished to live in the sensual world

You don't need words

Just one kiss then another

Stepping out, off the page

Into the sensual world

Stepping out, off the page

Into the sensual world

And then our arrows of desire rewrite the speech, mm yes

And then he whispered would I, mm yes

Be safe, mm yes, from mountain flowers?

And at first with the charm around him, mm yes

He loosened it so if it slipped between my breasts

He'd rescue it, mm yes

And his spark took life in my hand and mm yes

I said, mm yes

But not yet, mm yes, yes

Mm yes

Yes ...