I'm gonna take a guess at this beautiful song, as nobody seems to have tried to look for the meaning.
I think this song is about a search for inspiration, the need to create music and the pressures associated with the expectations put on you. Orpheus being the greatest poet and musician of Ancient Greece, which Sylvian will have known having an interest in this myth (Eurydice, Orpheus's wife, was also in the title of a Sylvian track). I think Orpheus represents his inspiration as a musician.
In verse 1 he stands firm against the pressures though he has been tempted to "give up the ghost". He struggles with words (lyrics perhaps) while his Orpheus lays on his back, there is no inspiration.
In verse two he finds inspiration, the "sunlight falls" and his "wings open wide". Everything else has fallen to the wayside, like the people he knew never cared, but Orpheus has stayed by his side.
Verse 3 he talks of the obstacles in life being the fuel for the fire. He finds that the "voices" still have stories to tell, that he still has something to express.
The chorus is about his desire, he wants the inspiration, as the fire/desire never stops, and ultimately he knows when all is said and done, he will be inspired, as he hears the promise of his Orpheus sing.
I'm gonna take a guess at this beautiful song, as nobody seems to have tried to look for the meaning.
I think this song is about a search for inspiration, the need to create music and the pressures associated with the expectations put on you. Orpheus being the greatest poet and musician of Ancient Greece, which Sylvian will have known having an interest in this myth (Eurydice, Orpheus's wife, was also in the title of a Sylvian track). I think Orpheus represents his inspiration as a musician.
In verse 1 he stands firm against the pressures though he has been tempted to "give up the ghost". He struggles with words (lyrics perhaps) while his Orpheus lays on his back, there is no inspiration.
In verse two he finds inspiration, the "sunlight falls" and his "wings open wide". Everything else has fallen to the wayside, like the people he knew never cared, but Orpheus has stayed by his side.
Verse 3 he talks of the obstacles in life being the fuel for the fire. He finds that the "voices" still have stories to tell, that he still has something to express.
The chorus is about his desire, he wants the inspiration, as the fire/desire never stops, and ultimately he knows when all is said and done, he will be inspired, as he hears the promise of his Orpheus sing.
Thanks Martel, that's really useful.
Thanks Martel, that's really useful.