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Opera in English, in two acts. Based on the original tragedy by Sophocles, and following the structural scenic form of the ancient Greek Drama.
Song Info
Track Files
MP3
MP3 9.1 MB • 112 kbps • 11:18
Story behind the song
In his tent, the pitiful cries of Ajax is heard by Tekmessa and the chorus. Ajax comes out of his tent, and over a chorus of Spirits of Animal Blood, bemoans his fate, and his betrayal by the Gods. He grieves for his name's lost honor and respect, and prays to God, (Zeus), for death. Tekmessa sings her lament of the War-Bride.
Lyrics
7. Episode B
Ajax (offstage)
Ahh-ah-eye ahhhh-eeee! Ah eye eee eye ah eee!
Tekmessa
Now begins the agony of burdensome grief.
Chorus
I agree and fear it was certainly a god that struck him,...
Tekmessa
Truly, truly....
Chorus
-- when needed rest brings no respite, what is more malicious?
Ajax
Ah-eye eeee! Ahh-eye ah eee! Eye-eee!
Tekmessa
You judge truly: and so it is. Learn and share his sorrow...
(Servants open the tent flaps wide open, to reveal Ajax among heaps of animals, which unravel to become the dancers of the Animal Spirits)
Animal Spirits (The Song of Animal Blood)
When the night opens the sky,
Stars speak and the star streams flow.
I am the voice of animal blood.
Ten thousand by ten thousand years
Seasons rise seasons set
The cold the heat the drought the flood
Sing the wisdom of endured suffering
The song of animal blood
Clear the land and till the fields
By the yoke on the backs of animal blood
Tame the earth appease the gods
Harness and ride the backs of animal blood
The river of stars and the river of blood, such is the flow of life
Ajax (with panic)
Alas! Oh, my son, my son! No, no, no, where are you?
Tekmessa
Oh, grief!...Euryaces, he cries for you....what has he thought?....Sorrow...sorrow!
Ajax
Teucer....where is Teucer?....I perish, ahh -- perish!
(Ajax comes out of the tent).
Ajax
STANZA 1
Friends of the sea, faultless and unstained! Hitherto you have always been faithful. Here I am, friends, and around, look, risen up a wave of blood urged on by a hard unrelenting killing shaft, and here, I, and everything I am -- buried in it forever!
Ajax
ANTISTANZA 1
Alas, Proud and sturdy fellow friends of the sea! You, a ship's stronghold, true to me, whose cleaving oars soar above chasms of waters! You remain the only help against my bitter troubles. Have pity, I ask....kill me!
STANZA 2
Brave with high heart, to whom fear was unknown in battle, suddenly -- has attacked in rage and fury on quiet herd animals!...Is it not ridiculous?.... Shame to me and shame!
Tekmessa
My master, cease, I ask.
Ajax
You still have not left? Away!.. Leave! Alas!...Alas!...
Chorus
Reconcile, By all that is immortal, see reason.
Ajax
Oh, woe!.. I have missed my enemies, and from my hands on curved horned bulls have attacked, on noisy flocks of goats -- streams of their black blood has spilled!
Chorus
Why suffer for what is past? What is done cannot be undone. It is the law of time.
Ajax
ANTISTANZA 2
Now exults sly Odysseus.
Chorus
In laughter and tears as God wills.
Ajax
Oh Zeus, great-grandfather of primogenitors! To meet him now and crush him -- and the double powered leadership of the brother kings, then lastly to leave life!
Tekmessa
So speaking, wish for me death as well, when you are dead, what reason for me to live? Ah I, unfortunate! - in sensible mind he would never utter these words!
Ajax
STANZA 3
Alas! One light for me - darkness...You, Erebus, brighten the light of a single day. Unworthy to look for the help of the gods immortal, unworthy to hope for the help of mortal people! The terrible goddess, Zeus' daughter, drives the sufferer to destruction. Where shall I go? Where shall I find shelter, if henceforth all past honor is gone and glory has disappeared, and around me all swords of two Atreidaen kings promise me Death?
ANTISTANZA 3
Oh restless sea! Oh you, coast, caves, meadows! Long, long a time I fought and battled beneath the gates of Troy!....But enough, all know, alive I shall not remain!...You, of flowing neighbor of Scamander's wave, river of glory that the Argives cherished and blessed!....No, you will not behold Ajax....Let its speeches be proud, -- but Troy did not see among those that came by sea from Illiad equal to him, and here, shamefully, his ashes to be buried!
Chorus
How to stop him?.. It is intolerable to listen to this cry from the depth of disaster.
Tekmessa
Ajax
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