Nora McCarthy: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

While reading the works of DH Lawrence, I came upon the poem "Don Juan" (early 20th century). I loved the way it flowed when I read it and how it translated itself melodically. I started singing it as I read. Then taking creative license, I juxtaposed one of the lines into a repeating chorus and reformatted the poem around the chorus. I also changed the title. Collaborating at the time with my longtime friend and accompanist - pianist renowned, Neal Creque, who gave it even greater depth of emotion through his dissonant and abstract harmonic and soulful interpretation. No one has ever played it better. This was the first song I ever wrote and the blessing given by Mr. Creque, gave me the confidence and incentive to believe in myself as a songwriter.
The meaning? a conflict of love and hate between a man and a woman, them and the world around them, till it reaches some sort of conclusion, they transcend into some condition of blessedness.

ISIS
Music: Nora McCarthy
Poem: D.H. Lawrence
©1990

It is Isis the mystery, must be in love with me. (repeat)

Here this round ball of earth,
where all the mountains sit,
solemn in groups and the bright rivers flit,
round them for girth.

It is Isis the mystery, must be in love with me (repeat)

Here the trees and troops,
Darken the shining grass, and many people pass, plundered from heaven, many bright people pass, plunder from heaven.

What of the mistresses, what the beloved seven?
---They were but witnesses,
I was just driven.

It is Isis the mystery
Must be in love with me (repeat).

Where is there peace for me?