Orphic Hymn to Hera

by Queenie

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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). The lead vocal is an amalgam of three takes.

lyrics

O Royal Juno [Hera] of majestic mien
Aerial-form'd, divine, Jove's [Zeus'] blessed queen,

Thron'd in the bosom of cærulean air,
The race of mortals is thy constant care.

The cooling gales thy pow'r alone inspires,
Which nourish all life, which ev'ry life desires.

Mother of clouds and winds, from thee alone
Producing all things, mortal life is known

All natures share thy temp'rament divine,
And universal sway alone is thine.

With founding blasts of wind, the swelling sea
And rolling rivers roar, when shook by thee.

Come, blessed Goddess, fam'd almighty queen,
With aspect kind, rejoicing and serene.

Come, blessed Goddess, fam'd almighty queen,
With aspect kind, rejoicing and serene.

credits

released March 4, 2023

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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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