This is the second song written for my FAWM project, to write a 15 song album with songs inspired by Ovid's Metamorphesis. The album is titled "That Word for When One Thing Turns into Something Else".
Each song will represent one of the 15 books of the Metamorphoses. The songs will be interpretations of each story's imagery and themes and will not be strict retelling of a myth (think Mountain Goats "The Life of the World to Come"). As a note on content, those familiar with Ovid's Metamorphoses know how downright scandalous some of these tales can get. I will be focusing on the more tender and lesser known moments of the epic poem, sometimes using my artistic license to create said tenderness where there is no tenderness to be found. Each song will be accompanied by a quote from the book it represents*. The songs will not be written in order. Enjoy.
*All line numbers given will be from the Norton Critical Edition of the Charles Martin translation
"Without delay, as his counterfeit wings beat the air, he captured the boy, who, in spite of Juno's objections, mixes his nectar and serves him above now in heaven."
Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book X, lines 217-219
Draw the water
Pour the mead
I live in a world of gods and playthings
A golden vine and a dozen stud horses
Could buy me and my life's resources
And here I spend each day
Serving the eagle who swept me away
My hands hold their figures while my head is in the clouds
My eyes once so pretty will always be now
But it's so dull that's the killing thing
To be straddled by this presence that just dominates me
He says bring the cup over, Ganymede
In Beverly Hills
I tend to my man
I clean up the sheets on his music stand
Tickle my spine, I'm a gold leaf first edition
I couldn't name all these gifts I've been given
But a life spent in the wings
Wearing bracelets of bone and Obsidian rings
These pointless hours whittled away in his house
Those dreams I once strived for mean nothing to me now
But I'm taken care of, ain't that the main thing
Spared the haunting degradation that each day must bring
I've taken what I've taken and I've given what I gave
But staying your sweetheart would mean staying the same age
And that's so dull, honey can't you see
To be straddled by this presence that just dominates me
He says bring the cup over, Ganymede
@roblincoln Feb 2022
This has an otherworldly quality, mixing beauty with dissonance. I love the visual imagery. I can see those obsidian rings. I'm not that familiar with the source material that inspires this (though I should be) so I am learning from you in a very musical way.
@tiller2 Feb 2022
Mysterious and magical this song is. Love the accompaniment with appropriate celestial tones. The doubled voice adds a surreal quality. I will def have to look up the story of Ganymede. An exciting overall project, too. I have a song on the Greek legend of Hero and Leander, if you're interested: https://fawm.org/songs/127305/
@perennialfool Feb 2022
wow this is incredibly beautiful, well done.
and I love Ovid's Metamorphoses, I've often thought of writing stories or songs based on the stories.
@winchperry Feb 2022
Relaxing a beautiful song. I was doing some housework as I listened and I forgot I was listening to fawn demo. I just felt like I was listening to a released song on a playlist. Great job!
@jessicagraae Feb 2022
This is lovely. The recording is really nice. How did you do it? Obviously multitracked? The project goal is impressive and interesting.
@tseaver Feb 2022
Nice write, and a great step toward a most ambitious album project. Capturing the feel of that mist-shrouded relationship is a tough task, but you've done it well.
@christmascard Feb 2022
Ooh I like! Production sounds great, and really loving your voice. Watching!
@cubizm Feb 2022
I love the melody to this. It is really memorable. And again, the production is amazing . Did you double all of those vocals?
@calumcarlyle Feb 2022
I love the relaxed natural way you play this, even though the guitar part and chords are quite original and interesting. It makes the song float along great over the top, and i think your characteristic voice works great with the song too, that bit when you go a bit louder, nice.
@leslie333 Feb 2022
Creative and fascinating. The lyrics are very inventive the the music is nice and atmospheric. I love the idea for your album!