I have been featuring Father Nog in Christmas cards since the last century, and his mythos has expanded. First he was just a vagrant who shot nog at people. Then the nog itself began to take on hypnotic and/or transformative properties. Then he became some kind of trickster god. In his latest leveling up, Father Nog has evolved into a polyglottal world-ending insane deity that must be either heeded or stopped. Of one thing we are certain: Father Nog is a cleaner-burning religion than Scientology. The next logical step would be to focus on Father Nog’s devotees: Are they a potential source of income?
The lyrics came easily. My friend Tom Bishel then sent me several snippets of songs he was working on, and one fit almost perfectly. It was fun to add lyrics to fit the existing melody as well as to tweak the meter here and there. The lyrics to the chorus (“Father Nog is frightening…”) came after Tom sent the music, as did the spoken part.
The narration is the voice of a character who has also been around for a quarter century. I think he’s old. I know he’s feisty. He has an edge to him. Just once I’d like to hear this voice coming out of James. K. Polk at Disneyland’s Hall of Presidents, or maybe from an actual baby in a nightmare or improvised battlefield hospital.
I really love the music, and what Tom added to his own demo, layer after layer, is astounding. Thank you, Tom! When the Moody Blues quits hanging around in its bathroom, perhaps the London Philharmonic can take a crack at this song. Then, Tom brought in his illustrious friend Alex Del Zoppo to add keyboards and strings. Google Mr. Del Zoppo’s career but not before you have firmly attached your head to your neck: Let’s just say he has traveled a long road from Bailey Park to Max Yasgur’s farm.
Finally, the video art features another collaboration with a person whose talent is just a joy to experience. Marisol Barrett heard the song, asked for a copy of the lyrics, and said, “I know what to do.” My favorite parts are the eyes, the hat, and the lamb. The lamb! I did not see that coming.
I added one bit of post-production magic—sending a “War Is Over” shoutout to Julian and Kyoko.