Art song based on the poetry of Auschwitz visitor Stefanie Kowalski. It was originally written in 1994 for piano and baritone, but was recently arranged for full orchestra. It is sung by Victor M. Garcia, Tenor.
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Story behind the song
I was deeply moved by Stefanie's poem and the music was written over a weekend. Stefanie premiered the piece on piano with a friend singing the song.
Lyrics
Tattered shoes, thousands of dead, tongues forever crying.
What have we done wrong.
You wore our soles thin, only white bone rock.
Unforgiving, unfaltering underneath.
You scuffed us and beat us and left us out in the cold!
If a thousand burning bodies can not thaw the ice,
from your hideous gray flesh!
They will brand your bare foot with the sign of our suffering.
Still, you monsters will feel the scalding flames of hell!
Excellent work, Victor. It has a big power and your voice transmits the dramatism perfectly. I´d like to hear and see the live performance, this should be amazing.