Corey J. Feldman, founder of the NYC-based band Mercury Landing, is in the process of creating a rock opera that (as a huge Tolkien fan) immediately grabbed my attention and had me thinking of ways to involve the Listening Room.

“The Green Emerald,” as the opera has been named, is almost three years in the making, and we here on the blog will be getting a weekly glimpse into each of the 13 songs in the project.

An illustrated storybook is also in the making to accompany the performance of the opera, which will take place at 8 p.m Dec. 4th and 5th at the Bowery Poetry Club, located at 308 Bowery in Manhattan.

We kick things off this week with song one, “The Prologue.” As you will see, it’s already shaping up to be quite the tale! So away we go…

I – “The Prologue”

Here is the Green Emerald,

Its journey like a maze.

Timeless in its essence,

Inscribed it spoke this phrase:

“Created by the Universe:

Just wish upon this stone.

You must ask the question true,

Its power stands alone.”

The Legend of the Emerald,

Was known through all the Earth.

The rumors said that it contained,

The truth of humans’ birth.

Though traveled far and wide it did,

The stone fell in the hands of an,

Evil King whose many thoughts,

Conspired evil plans.

Ephemeral, we’re fading fast.

The Emerald was found to last,

Above the King and his whole clan,

The stone had always known his plan.

All his life he worked but all for naught,

The knighted fighters he had taught,

The zen of martial arts, but they’d quit,

Or rebel against his lack of wit.

****

“They will bow to me.

Soon they will see,

The error of their ways.

They will know my gaze.

They will fear my reign!

They will know my name!

They will think that they are free.

I will fulfill the prophecy.

The prophets foretold of my strength,

Enduring a timeless spacious length.

They will fear my reign!

They will know my name!”

****

Power now was all to see,

The cost in lives was far from free.

The Emerald could see the past,

The vision there would never last.