Cocteau Twins - But I'm Not - 1982 - (Lyrics - Remastered - 4AD)
Thanks to some other CT fans it looks as if this track is going into Medieval territory again with a tale of the life of a vassal in the dark ages.
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A Vassal was a person in the Middle Ages who received protection and land from a lord in return for loyalty and service.
What is the difference between a lord and a vassal?
In broad terms a lord was a noble who held land, a vassal was a person who was granted possession of the land by the lord, and the land was known as a fief. In exchange for the use of the fief and protection by the lord, the vassal would provide some sort of service to the lord.
In England, the feudal pyramid was made up of the king at the top with the nobles, knights, and vassals below him. Before a lord could grant land to a tenant he would have to make him a vassal at a formal ceremony. This ceremony bound the lord and vassal in a contract.
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Liz sings of a vassal living a lie as he tries to gain a spot in good standing with his King for tending to his land but this vassal's martyr sacrifice will most likely be in vain. Liz is defiant as she sings against this life of servitude and that 'forest things are offered here, But I'm Not.'
Another fascinating tale from Garlands.
Audio is remastered from my own copy of the 1991 CD release.