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Spintunes 17 Round 2: "What Were They Thinking?"
Write about a movie, play, etc. from the point of view of a secondary character.
I chose the skull of Yorick, the late court jester in Hamlet. Hamlet remembers how Yorick was kind and made people laugh, and then laments how death has taken it all away. I wanted to show Yorick's spirit telling Hamlet to that death is a kind of peace, and that since there's no way to avoid it, he should try to enjoy life while he is young.
Since the scene is from Shakespeare, I chose to take a stab at writing the entire song in iambic pentameter. I had to take a couple of liberties (stressed syllable-wise) for the sake of the song, but it really helped me get creative with certain lyrics.
I tried not to get too heavy with the morning/evening metaphor, but I tried to get the message across more implicitly, I'm sure every bit as well as Shakespeare would have done.
Originally, the song was rearranged differently, with the "Fallen heroes" bridge in the middle and "You can't wish the coda away from the song" being the last line, literally kicking into the song's coda. Even though it was "clever" the song seemed totally disjointed. I decided to make it traditional verse/chorus, verse/chorus, bridge chorus, and it seems to feel a lot more cohesive. Nevertheless, I'm (very) not crazy about my vocals in the bridge. I think it's a bit too low for my range, and I tried to mask it with flimsy harmonies. Another "return-to" section.
Overall, I like the lyrics more than the actual song.
lyrics
LYRICS:
Hamlet: Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.... Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs?
Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince
For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since
You howl into the dew-drop morning sun
As if the eventide chill is anon
Alas, each story must come to a close
But does that mean that the tale truly ends?
Have you not just recalled my waggish prose?
Do you not witness my death-dappled grin?
It’s true, I used to make everyone smile
But happiness is naught but tick and tock
And though you fix on my visage defiled
You can’t keep Cronos from winding the clock
Chorus:
Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince
For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since
You howl into the dew-drop morning sun
As if the eventide chill is anon
I cannot judge your malaise, I confess
(For) what is a candle that’s melted away?
How long our wicks burn is anyone’s guess
Why curse the darkness in spite of the day?
How frivolous do your reflections ring
I wish you felt the beauty of the dawn
Despite your regrets or praises you sing
(You) can’t wish the coda away from the song
Chorus:
Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince
For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since
You howl into the dew-drop morning sun
As if the eventide chill is anon
But do you shed a tear for falling leaves?
Or is it just to be or not to be
How many sorrows must you choose to sow
Until you find you’ve reaped nothing but woe
Our fallen heroes share the dust with fools
The eloquent must cede their silver tongues
How speechless the arrogant shall become
Not one withstands the duels, don’t go unsung
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