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Lamentations

by Reece Sullivan

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about

Lamentations was loosely inspired by the story of Al-Mutannabi, a widely known and esteemed Arabian poet from the 10th centruy. I read about him first through Taleb Nicholas Nassim in his book, Anti-Fragile, which talks much of the idea of skin in the game. Al-Mutannabi's death could be said to exemplify this idea to a high degree. Al-Mutannabi, whose name meant, "the would-be prophet," was known for his arrogance and conceit in his poetry, and it was possibly these traits that got him killed. He had greatly offended a man in verse who later found him, intent on killing him. While Al-Mutannabi initially fled, his servant, according to the story, reminded him of the bold verses he'd written, and so to live up to those ideas, he stayed instead of fleeing and fought to the death.

Written late September to October 7th 2013, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; recorded late November 2013 to November 2018.

lyrics

There were Lebanese writers with care I read
And poets for well written verses lay dead
And wished that I stood in their sted
Or laid like Proust, sick and in bed

There were stories I dreamed of and fictions I told
Like these bargain-bin, pulp, romance novels, unsold
See how my subplots would all unfold
And converge in a functioning narrative, whole

Employ me till I’m of no use
Then lead me to my death, ol’ muse
In whatever way that you might choose
For whatever reason that you accuse

This song of redemption was a song I sung
Late night lamentations rolling off my tongue
Hear me on my lone, lute strum
See me, friend, and what I’ve become

Employ me till I’m of no use
Then to my death, lead me, ol’ muse
In whatever way that you might choose
For whatever reason that you accuse

Alternative, unused verse:
There were empty theories that my teachers told
So much speculation that they hawked and sold
On loveless matter and mechanical souls
But their inflated salaries depend on it, though

credits

released May 31, 2019
Matt Cobb: oboe
Paul Buller: pedal steel
Clay Parker: mandolin
Kieran McIntosh: mixing and mastering
Artwork: Sarah Elizabeth Burke

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all rights reserved

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about

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Reece Sullivan Lafayette, Louisiana

Originally from Arkansas, and now in Lafayette, LA, I play the surrounding areas regularly. Over the course of the years, I've reinvented myself musically many times: piano to guitar, classical to art rock, art rock to folk, flat picking to finger-picking, solely songwriting to performing. My latest incarnation has me playing out often, sometimes touring, and writing and recording consistently. ... more

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