Song for Athene
I blogged long ago about a discussion I had with my dad about an alleluia that was sung at the end of the funeral of lady Diana, but I never posted the song itself: ‘Song for Athene‘.
It was composed by English composer John Tavener in remembrance of a friend, Athene Hariades, who died as a result of a traffic accident.
Throughout the whole song you can hear what is called an ison: a low tone that is held throughout the entire song. This is an ancient Byzantine practice, now used again by some modern composers. In ‘Song for Athene’ the ison suddenly rises to a tone far higher than the song itself at the last line. This is a modern adaptation and the festive effect fits the text of the last line very well.
The lyrics:
Alleluia. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Remember me O lord, when you come into your kingdom.
Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep.
The choir of saints have found the well-spring of life, and door of paradise.
Life: a shadow and a dream.
Weeping at the grave creates the song:
Alleluia. Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.
