Joyce DiDonato | Discovering Emily | 7. "Because I could not stop for Death –"
Show Description
Joyce DiDonato | Discovering Emily | 7. "Because I could not stop for Death –"
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –
_____________________________________________________________________
As this first leg of our tour of “Emily” comes to an end, it coincidentally feels like a small death. In honor of saying goodbye — for now — to Emily, let’s dive into one of her most iconic poems, as set to music by the extraordinary Kevin Puts!
Emily — No Prisoner Be is a new theatrical song-cycle from Kevin Puts, blending classical mastery with rock energy in a vivid reimagining of Emily Dickinson’s poetic universe. Album out now.
Joyce DiDonato
Time For Three @officialtf3
Composer: Kevin Puts @kevinputs2164
