Tess's Lament (Maia vocal)

June 30, 2010 2:44 PM

When I posted the original version of this back in March I commented that it needed a female vocal. Well, thanks to maiamadness, it has now. Thomas Hardy's words are a kind of post-script to Tess Of The D'Urbervilles. I'm sure you'll agree that Maia's interpretation really brings them to life. This is what I wanted it sound like - thanks again Maia!

I

I would that folk forgot me quite,
Forgot me quite!
I would that I could shrink from sight,
And no more see the sun.
Would it were time to say farewell,
To claim my nook, to need my knell,
Time for them all to stand and tell
Of my day's work as done.

II

Ah! dairy where I lived so long,
I lived so long;
Where I would rise up staunch and strong,
And lie down hopefully.
'Twas there within the chimney-seat
He watched me to the clock's slow beat -
Loved me, and learnt to call me sweet,
And whispered words to me.

III

And now he's gone; and now he's gone; . . .
And now he's gone!
The flowers we potted p'rhaps are thrown
To rot upon the farm.
And where we had our supper-fire
May now grow nettle, dock, and briar,
And all the place be mould and mire
So cosy once and warm.

IV

And it was I who did it all,
Who did it all;
'Twas I who made the blow to fall
On him who thought no guile.
Well, it is finished--past, and he
Has left me to my misery,
And I must take my Cross on me
For wronging him awhile.

V

How gay we looked that day we wed,
That day we wed!
"May joy be with ye!" they all said
A-standing by the durn.
I wonder what they say o' us now,
And if they know my lot; and how
She feels who milks my favourite cow,
And takes my place at churn!

VI

It wears me out to think of it,
To think of it;
I cannot bear my fate as writ,
I'd have my life unbe;
Would turn my memory to a blot,
Make every relic of me rot,
My doings be as they were not,
And gone all trace of me!

posted by MajorDundee (4 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite

really, really classy. you two should do more together!
posted by peterkins at 2:59 PM on June 30, 2010


This is gorgeous. I concur with Peter, and it's very cool to see how your songs sound when sung by someone who likes being a singer. I, for one, really like your own voice, D, but I know you're not fond of it.

Maia, you really knocked the vocals out of the park. I'd love to see the two of you do more collaboration, in the future.
posted by askmeaboutLOOM at 3:51 PM on July 1, 2010


Thanks very much both. This isn't really that good a song - it's kind of melodically under-developed in my view: a bit too linear and it could have done with at least one more idea/section. But it's water under the bridge - I never can seem to get enthused enough to go back to rework stuff, even if it's comparatively recent. Anyway, it was very kind of Maia to take a shot at this and she's made a good job of it. As for working together again - or with other vocalists - always up for that. We'll see.
posted by MajorDundee at 4:03 PM on July 3, 2010


Oooh, I didn't even realise this was up yet! Great job on the mix. :)

Thanks for kind comments on the vocals. And, MajorDundee, I'd love to work with you again if ever you need it. And I adore this song. I know you don't see its genius yourself, but I love the simple melody and the linear structure; I think it suits it and it puts the lyrics in focus, by not over-playing the musical part, which is important in a song like this one. When I need to rehearse but have nothing in particular to sing, I sing this one. :)
posted by MaiaMadness at 2:38 AM on July 28, 2010


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