Songs and stuff

Isn't it so interesting the way that some people have with words?  Their speech, their writing, their singing, whatever it is, people have come up with some pretty eloquent and articulated phrases that resonate within your self, and somehow really move you as a person.  Then pen really is mightier than a sword within that sphere.

I've been thinking a lot about how songs in particular just do something--magic, ya know?  I love how it has been a tradition of various cultures (Russian, Italian, German, Chinese, Mayan, Mexican, Gaelic, Celtic to name a few!) to pass stories through songs.  Most of the main stream pop culture songs have drifted away from that tradition, but if you enjoy music and are somewhat of a connoisseur (and you enjoy more of a story rather than a dry hump song), it can be relatively easy to find good, heart singing music.

One of my favorite artists that does this is Anais Mitchell (www.anaismitchell.com).  She has a CD that has been out for a while now, entitled "Hades Town."  It is amazing!  Not only are the vocals, music, etc., just spectacular, but she also tells this really cool story of Orpheus and Eurydice.  It's got a real solid southern bluesy sound to the album, and it is totally rocking!  I've not had anybody I make listen to the CD dislike it.  One of my favorite songs on the album is "Gone, I'm Gone," and here is why: The way Anais sings it is so unique, but the lyrics (which I believe she wrote herself) are unnervingly beautiful to listen to, and it speaks to a unique human characteristic.

                                       "(Eurydice)
                                         Orpheus my heart is yours, always was and will be.
                                         It's my gut I can't ignore; Orpheus I'm hungry.
                                         Oh my heart it aches to stay but the flesh will have it's way.
                                         Oh the way is dark and long, but I'm already gone; I'm gone.

                                        (Fates)
                                        Go ahead and lay the blame; talk of virtue, talk of sin.
                                        Wouldn't you have done the same in her shoes, in her skin?
                                        You can have your principles when you have your belly full,
                                        but hunger has a way with you.  There's no telling what your gonna do
                                        when the chips are down, now that the chips are down...."

It's mainly the first verse that I put up here with the "unique human characteristic" (desire) that I referred to.  Within it she talks of how there is a longing and desire within each of us to do something that maybe we shouldn't.  Even though we know it's wrong while we are doing it, we may continue to do so.  And it's not just focused on this one character Eurydice, but her second verse asks of Orpheus, what he would have done in her place?  Would he not have done something similar if there was something equally as tantalizing to him?  Obviously the original story reflects The Bible's Adam and Eve story (it's everywhere!)  But I like how Anais makes it into a question of "what would you have done in that situation?  Probably the same damn thing!"  So, shut the front door people and think about it!