a creepy soundtrack to accompany the chilling 7th chapter of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Story behind the song
The Russian scooner 'Demeter' brings Count Dracula to 1897 England - adapted from chapter 7 of Bram Stoker's Dracula, and the voyage log of the Demeter.
Lyrics
Count Dracula's arrival,
Whitby, England
Aug 8th 1897
The report indicates that the recent storm, one of the worst storms on record, was responsible for the shipwreck of a strange Russian vessel. The article also mentions several observations which indicate the vessel's strange method of navigation; we learn that observers feel that the captain had to be mad because in the midst of the storm the ship's sails were wholly unfurled.
Many people who witnessed the approach of the strange vessel were gathered on one of Whitby's piers to await the ship's arrival. By the light of a spotlight, witnesses noticed that 'lashed to the helm was a corpse, with drooping head, which swung horribly to and fro' as the ship rocked. As the vessel violently ran aground, 'an immense dog sprang up on deck from below,' jumped from the ship, and ran off. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the man lashed to the wheel (the helm) had a crucifix clutched in his hand. According to a local doctor, the man had been dead for at least two days. Coast Guard officials discovered a bottle in the dead man's pocket, carefully sealed, which contained a roll of paper.
In a newspaper article the next day, it is revealed that the ship, a schooner, was a Russian vessel, one from Varna, called the Demeter. The only cargo on board was a 'ballast of silver sand' and 'a number of great wooden boxes filled with mould.' It is revealed that the cargo was consigned to a Whitby solicitor, Mr. S. F. Billington, who has claimed the boxes. The bizarre circumstances of the ship's arrival have been the talk about town for the last few days, and there has also been some interest as to the whereabouts of the big dog which jumped ashore on the first night. The dog has disappeared, and some citizens are worried that the dog may be dangerous. Reportedly, a half-breed mastiff was found dead, its throat torn out and its belly split open.
Excerpts from the Demeter's log.
The log begins on the 6th of July, all is calm aboard the ship for several days.
On the 16th of July, however, one crew member is found missing, and the log indicates that all the sailors are downcast and anxious.
The next day, the 17th of July, a sailor reports seeing a 'tall, thin man, who was not like any of the crew, come up the companionway, and go along the deck forward and disappear.' Yet no one, upon inspection of the ship, is to be found...
Over the next 2 weeks, the crew dissapears one, by one, untill only the Captain remained
4 August - Captains last log entry,
Still fog, which the sunrise cannot pierce, I know there is sunrise because I am a sailor, why else I know not. I dared not go below, I dared not leave the helm, so here all night I stayed, and in the dimness of the night I saw it, Him! God, forgive me, but the mate was right to jump overboard. It was better to die like a man. To die like a sailor in blue water, no man can object. But I am captain, and I must not leave my ship. But I shall baffle this fiend or monster, for I shall tie my hands to the wheel when my strength begins to fail, and along with them I shall tie that which He, It, dare not touch. And then, come good wind or foul, I shall save my soul, and my honour as a captain. I am growing weaker, and the night is coming on. If He can look me in the face again, I may not have time to act . . .If we are wrecked, mayhap this bottle may be found, and those who find it may understand. If not . . . well, then all men shall know that I have been true to my trust. God and the Blessed Virgin and the Saints help a poor ignorant soul trying to do his duty . . .