orpheus dreaming mournful dreams . . . . .
orpheus was the son of calliope and apollo. he was the great musician and poet of greek myth, whose songs were so amazing that they could charm wild beasts and coax even rocks and trees into movement. orpheus is also well-known as one of the argonauts, and when the argonauts had to pass the island of the sirens, it was his music that prevented the crew from being lured to destruction. not a bad resume when you think about it!
one of the lovelier songs sung by a man with a very lovely voice, here is david sylvian singing “orpheus” . . .
and here are the words . . . .
orpheus
standing firm on this stony ground
the wind blows hard
pulls these clothes around
i harbour all the same worries as most
the temptations to leave or to give up the ghost
i wrestle with an outlook on life
that shifts between darkness and shadowy light
i struggle with words for fear that they'll hear
but orpheus sleeps on his back still dead to the world
sunlight falls, my wings open wide
there's a beauty here I cannot deny
and bottles that tumble and crash on the stairs
are just so many people I knew never cared
down below on the wreck of the ship
are a stronghold of pleasures I couldn't regret
but the baggage is swallowed up by the tide
as orpheus keeps to his promise and stays by my side
tell me, I've still a lot to learn
understand, these fires never stop
believe me, when this joke is tired of laughing
i will hear the promise of my orpheus sing
sleepers sleep as we row the boat
just you the weather and I gave up hope
but all of the hurdles that fell in our laps
were fuel for the fire and straw for our backs
still the voices have stories to tell
of the power struggles in heaven and hell
but we feel secure against such mighty dreams
as orpheus sings of the promise tomorrow may bring
tell me, I've still a lot to learn
understand, these fires never stop
please believe, when this joke is tired of laughing
i will hear the promise of my orpheus sing.
david sylvian
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