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Orphic Hymn to Pluto (Hades) Version 2

by Kimberly Steele

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about

This is my more minimalist version of the Orphic Hymn to Hades.

The Orphic Hymns are ancient Greek poems that were part of the multi-god worshipping religious practice of Orphism. In 1787, the Orphic Hymns were translated into English by Thomas Taylor. A second edition was published in 1824. There are 87 known Orphic Hymns.

In 2019, I began composing music for the Orphic Hymns. As of the date of this writing, I have composed music for 18 of Taylor's hymns with plans to eventually cover the entire canon.

This track's lead vocal was sung and edited entirely without pitch correction (Autotune) in three takes.

lyrics

Pluto, magnanimous, whose realms profound
Are fix'd beneath the firm and solid ground,

In Tartarian plains remote from fight,
And wrapt forever in the depths of night;

Terrestrial Jove, thy sacred ear incline,
And pleas'd, accept thy mystic's hymn divine.

Earth's keys to thee, illustrious king belong,
Its secret gates unlocking, deep and strong.

'Tis thine, abundant annual fruits to bear,
For needy mortals are thy constant care.

To thee, great king, Avernus is assign'd,
The seat of Gods, and basis of mankind.

Thy throne is fix'd in Hade's dismal plains,
Distant, unknown to rest, where darkness reigns;

Where, destitute of breath, pale spectres dwell,
In endless, dire, inexorable hell;

And in dread Acheron, whose depths obscure,
Earth's stable roots eternally secure.

O mighty dæmon, whose decision dread,
The future fate determines of the dead,

With captive Proserpine [Kore], thro' grassy plains,
Drawn in a four-yok'd car with loosen'd reins,

Rapt o'er the deep, impell'd by love, you flew
Till Eleusina's city rose to view;

There, in a wond'rous cave obscure and deep,
The sacred maid secure from search you keep,

The cave of Atthis, whose wide gates display
An entrance to the kingdoms void of day.

Of unapparent works, thou art alone
The dispensator, visible and known.

O pow'r all-ruling, holy, honor'd light,
Thee sacred poets and their hymns delight:

Propitious to thy mystic's works incline,
Rejoicing come, for holy rites are thine.

credits

released February 14, 2024

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Kimberly Steele Chicago, Illinois

Kimberly Steele (Queenie) is a composer, music teacher, and blogger who lives with her husband in the far west suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

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