Now It Is Too Late
"Now It Is Too Late" is a Residents outtake dating roughly to 1979-1981, sharing elements with both "Dimples and Toes," and "Eva's Warning." Two versions have been released, first on the Mole Box CD set in 2019, and later on the 2023 2xLP Commercial Album.
Although the song is is oft suggested to be a piece of Part Three of the Mole Trilogy,[1] it's lyrical similarities to "Eva's Warning," which Snakefinger began playing live in September 1981, suggests the track dates to the Mark of the Mole sessions at the latest. It has been described as 'Dark, twisted and evil sounding'[2]
Background
Recording
The earliest known use of the "Now It Is Too Late" lyrics are from the 1979 Commercial Album sessions, on an early version of "Dimples and Toes." This, and all other versions of the song, feature the title of another Commercial Album song, "The Coming of the Crow," in its lyrics.
A slightly longer version, with additional lyrics and a completely different backing, was recorded at a later date. The song shares lyrical similarities to the Residents/Snakefinger composition "Eva's Warning," which suggests it was recorded before the release of Mark of the Mole (part one of the Mole Trilogy) in September of 1981, when Snakefinger first played the complete "Eva's Warning" live.[3] The Residents themselves would performed "Eva's Warning" in their 1985-1987 13th Anniversary Show and 2005 Way We Were tours, both times as a medley with "The Coming of the Crow."
Release
Whilst compiling the 2019 Mole Box CD set, The Residents presented The Mysterious Archivist with a tape labeled A Sorded Residents, featuring a song the group had no memory of recording, the second version of "Now It Is Too Late." The song 'confounded all who came into contact with it.' with Brian Poole noting similarities to the 1979 track "Time's Up" and "The Coming of the Crow." The Mysterious Archivist suggested that "Going Nowhere" was recorded during the same period, and speculated that both may be pieces from Part Three of the Mole Trilogy,[4] a sentiment that Richard Anderson shared in a 2024 blog post on the pREServed series.[5]
In 2023, the RDX mix of the Commercial Album was released, quietly featuring a version of "Dimples and Toes" with lyrics from "Now It Is Too Late."
Lyrics
Mole Box version
In my mind, it multiplies when I am gone away In my mind, it multiplies day by day
I know you won't believe me but I've heard it call my name Luring me along the edge, like looking at a flame I have tried to warn them of the coming of the crow But they had only laughed a lot and said that they would know And now the more is in the air, and even in the trees The evil germs of wickedness have, have scorn their destiny!
With a smiling face, members of my race Said that they would share, what we could not spare Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late, they forgot to mate Now it is too late
COMMS 1-3 RD Suite version
With a smiling face, members of my race Said that they would share, what we could not spare Now it is too late, they forgot to mate.
I had tried to warn them of the coming of the crow But they had only laughed a lot and said that they would know Well now the spore is in the air and even in the trees The evil sperms and spotted worms Have won their victory
Releases
- Mole Box (2019) [Version 1]
- Commercial Album pREServed (2023) [Version 2]
Versions
- ↑ Mole Box version, 1980-1981 (1:59)
- ↑ "Dimples and Toes" RDX mix, COMS 1-3 RDX Suite, 1979-1980 (1:18)
