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Love Song

from Confession by Paul Burkhart

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This incredible poem by Eliot is about life and death in all their beauty, tragedy, and paradox. I found it appropriate to kick off this autobiographical album with one of the modern world's most inspiring and enduring works on life and its end.

lyrics

(Selection from T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock)

Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.
.....
I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

credits

from Confession, released February 1, 2011
Words by T.S. Eliot; Performed by Paul Burkhart

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Paul Burkhart Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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