Orphic Hymn to Ares

by Traditional poetry with original music by Kimberly Steele

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about

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 was sung and edited entirely without pitch correction (Autotune), including the backing vocals. The lead vocal is an amalgam of two vocal takes.

lyrics

Magnanimous, unconquered, boisterous Mars
In darts rejoicing and bloody wars
Fierce and untamed whose mighty power can make
The strongest walls from their foundations shake

Mortal destroying king defiled with gore
Pleased with war's dreadful, tumultuous roar
Thee human blood and swords and spears delight
And the dire ruin of mad savage fight

Stay furious contests and avenging strife
Whose works with woe embitter human life
To lovely Venus and to Bacchus yield
To Ceres give the weapons of the field

Encourage peace, to gentle works inclined
And give abundance with benignant mind

credits

released July 28, 2021

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about

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.

queeniesongs.net

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