I listened (again) to The Crane Wife by The Decemberists while I was cooking for Easter. As so often happens with this CD, one song has stuck in my head ever since: O Valencia!
The song reminds me of West Side Story, which is, of course, on the theme of Romeo and Juliet: Young lovers who are tied to rival factions or families. But this one doesn't end as West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet, with sad realization of the folly of the feud, but with further resolution of mayhem. You'll see it in the lyrics from O Valencia!:
You belong to the gang
And you say you can't break away
But I'm here with my hands on my heart
Our families can't agree
I'm your brother's sworn enemy
But I'll shout out my love to the stars
So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll go, we'll go
When first we laid eyes
I swore to no compromise
'Til I felt my caress on your skin
Well, how soon we were betrayed
Your sister gave us away
And your father came all unhinged
So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll go, we'll go
O Valencia!
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia!
And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down
All I heard was a shout
Of your brother calling me out
And you ran like a fool to my side
Well, the shot, it hit hard
And your frame went limp in my arms
And the lull of love was your dying cry
So wait for the stone on your window, your window
Wait by the car and we'll go, we'll go
O Valencia!
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia
And I'll burn this whole city down
Valencia
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia
And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down
I think it's much more powerful with the music, so please listen for the full effect.
The pain is palpable. The music is haunting too.
* * * * *
The phenomenon of passing on a song that is stuck in your head is jukebox sabotage, according to Urban Dictionary. Hopefully, I am thus passing this song on to you, reader, and out of my head. For a while, at least.
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