Jon Corelis Poet Ballad

Notes About The Poem

Image source:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marble_grave_stele_of_a_little_girl_MET_DT279.jpg

Note from Jon Corelis:  My poem is modelled on (it is too far from the original to be called a translation) the text of a Greek folk song published in 1914.  After writing this poem I decided to use it as lyrics for a song of my own composition.  It hasn't gotten performed yet, but the software generated demo audio file (using "ah" sounds for the vocal, since I don't have a decent voice simulator,) on YouTube will give some idea of what a performance would sound like.

 

The dark valley

"O will you let me visit
the land of light and air
for just one day, to comfort
my friends and family there?

My mother must be weeping
against the courtyard door;
my sister goes in mourning:
though young, she sings no more;

my brother’s face is ashen,
and sorrow’s all his care;
my father’s age is withered
by grief too great to bear."

"No, girl, you may not visit
that land of light and air;
once come to this dark valley,
you’ve got no business there.

Your mother at her window
gossips of the town;
your sister’s plaiting ribbons
to deck her wedding gown;

your brother and his comrades
make long plans as they dine;
your father’s in the tavern,
smiling at the wine."



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