While words can oft-times fail to fully convey an emotion, music never fails to do so.

It’s 9/11, and there remains a weighty world of woe.  Fortunately, we have found solace (or at least catharsis) in music related to that ridiculous day.

Mark Knopfler wrote the song, If This is Goodbye, from the perspective of someone trapped in the Towers calling their loved one for the last time.   While obviously old-school musically, the song roundly resonates.  Many great songs have been written about or relating to the events of 9/11, but for us Knopfler’s song hits amongst the hardest. In the performance below, the emotion in Knopfler’s and Emmylou Harris’s voices is palpable (apologies for the early ending).

But in each goodbye, we believe there may also be a hello.  Sarah Kirkland Snider‘s song cycle “Penelope“ (commissioned by the Getty Center and inspired by Homer’s “Odyssey”) tells the story of “a woman whose husband appears at her door after an absence of twenty years.”  The smart folks at The Believer magazine included Snider’s song, Nausicaa, in their 2011 Music Issue (this year devoted to “New Work by Contemporary Composers”). The straightforward lyrics of Nausicaa are sung beautifully by Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond and supported by chamber ensemble, Signal.  In the song Worden sings:  “You look so lost stranger.  But you’re not lost ’cause I’ve just found you.  Just take my hand stranger.  Just take my hand, and I will lead you home.”  The swelling chamber sonorities and hauntingly sung melody together provide perfect solace and comfort in their greeting.  Upon hearing the song today, we  could only think of what comes after, and the 9/11 victims being similarly greeted and led home.  We wish you comfort and peace.

Sarah Kirkland Snider–Nausicaa

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/02-Nausicaa.mp3|titles=02 Nausicaa]

You can listen to the entire song-cycle HERE.