Single Song
To the old pagan religion - Poem by Howard Phillips Lovecraft
The End of an Ancient World
The Poem
In this poem, H. P. Lovecraft reflects upon the gradual transition from the ancient pagan world to Christianity. Rather than presenting one belief as superior to the other, the poem captures the thoughts of someone witnessing the end of one spiritual era and the beginning of another. It portrays the emotional struggle of leaving behind traditions that had endured for centuries while facing the uncertainty of an entirely new religious philosophy.
The Music
The musical language reflects the solemn and spiritual atmosphere of the poem. Built as a sequence of freely developing sections rather than a traditional verse-chorus structure, the composition draws strong inspiration from Greek traditional music from various regions of Greece.
Although influenced by traditional musical forms, every instrumental part is performed using guitars, bass and drums rather than traditional folk instruments. The result preserves the spirit of Greek musical heritage while placing it within a progressive rock and metal context.
Lyrics
Olympian gods! how can I let ye go,
And pin my faith to this new Christian creed?
Can I resign the deities I know,
for him who on a cross for man did bleed?
How in my weakness can my hopes depend
On one lone god, tho' mighty be his pow'r?
Why can Jove's host no more assistance lend,
To Soothe my pain, and cheer my troubled hour?
Are there no dryads on these wooded mounts
O'er which I oft in desolation roam?
Are there no naiads in these crystal founts
Or nereids upon the ocean foam?
Fast spreads the new; the older faith declines;
The name of Christ resounds upon the air;
But my wrack'd soul in solitude repines
And gives the gods their last-received pray'r.