VERDI CRIES
Natalie Merchant / Christian Burial Music © 1987
the man in 119 takes his tea alone
mornings we all rise to wireless Verdi cries
I’m hearing opera through the door
the souls of men and women impassioned all
their voices climb and fall; battle trumpets call
I fill the bath and climb inside singing
he will not touch their pastry
but every day they bring him more
gold from the breakfast tray, I steal them all away
and then go and eat them on the shore
I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand
sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate
then wash my hand in the sea
with just three days more I’d have just about learned the entire score to Aida
holidays must end as you know
all is memory taken home with me
the opera the stolen tea the sand drawing the verging sea all years ag
