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Aura Lea

"Aura Lea" (sometimes spelled "Aura Lee") is a traditional ballad composed by George R. Poulton in 1861, and recorded by Residents lead composer Charles Bobuck in 2001 during sessions for a project about the American Civil War, which was soon abandoned in favor of the Demons Dance Alone album. The track was revisited by The Residents circa 2003–2004 during sessions for the Animal Lover album, but eventually rejected. It finally surfaced on the Animal Lover Instrumental album, retitled as "Aura Flex".

"Aura Lea" was most famously quoted by Elvis Presley for his song "Love Me Tender", which The Residents have covered for the Cube-E project.

An untitled demo of the track was heard on the 2004 Disfigured Night DVD, for a short gallery section showcasing Steven Cerio's artwork. This version samples vocals from the Disfigured Night performance of "We Are the World", and was revealed to be a "vocal demo" when it was released on the free Cherry Red mailing-list EP Things to Come, pt.2.

Appearances

Disfigured Night DVD (2004) ^{[Version 1]} (untitled)
Animal Lover Instrumental (2008) ^{[Version 2]}
Missing Soldiers (Bobuck) (2015) ^{[Version 3]} ("MS Romance")
Things to Come, pt. 2 (2025) ^{[Version 1]}
Animal Lover (Evolution Edition) (2026) ^{[Version 3]} ^{[Version 1]} ^{[Version 4]}

Versions

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Feast of Epiphany "vocal demo", Jan–Fall 2003
↑ Studio recording, ca.2003–2004 ("Aura Flex")
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Civil War album sketch, c.2001
↑ Tiger Love demo, ca.2003–2004

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Feast of Epiphany "vocal demo", Jan–Fall 2003

[2] Studio recording, ca.2003–2004 ("Aura Flex")

[:1-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Civil War album sketch, c.2001

[4] Tiger Love demo, ca.2003–2004

[Version 1]

[Version 2]

[Version 3]

[Version 4]