Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
At What Point Does a Shakespeare Say
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
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I feel it's time I write a play
What subject shall it be today
A tragedy I've done
Lovers twain have been united
Audiences are delighted
No doubt I shall soon be knighted
The Queen has come to every show
And, flattering, she feigns to know
A couplet from a verse, also
A refrain from a rhyme
But the ones I aim to pleaseth
Most of all upon my kneeseth
Are the folk who cough and sneezeth
Through my prose sublime
These lyrics from Emilie Autumn's song "Poem" describe the creative process of a writer, specifically referencing William Shakespeare as the ultimate example. The singer is posing the question of when Shakespeare decided to write a play and what inspired him to choose a particular subject, suggesting that there may not be a clear answer to this question. The singer then goes on to describe some of the successes that Shakespeare experienced, like uniting lovers and impressing a royal audience, but also notes that some of the most loyal fans were those who simply enjoyed his writing despite coughs and sneezes.
Line by Line Meaning
At what point does a Shakespeare say
When does a writer like Shakespeare decide it's time to compose something new?
I feel it's time I write a play
I've decided to create a new work and I'm certain about it.
What subject shall it be today
What should I center my story around this particular instance?
A tragedy I've done
I have written many plays that depict sad, unfortunate events.
Lovers twain have been united
There is a storyline where two people in love have been brought together.
Audiences are delighted
People are thoroughly pleased with the work I have created.
No doubt I shall soon be knighted
I am confident in being honored for the creation of my play.
Royal fame I've won
I have earned recognition and accolades for my work and artistry.
The Queen has come to every show
The monarch in my country has purposely attended each of my performances.
And, flattering, she feigns to know
She pretends to understand every aspect of my plays to partake in flattery towards me.
A couplet from a verse, also
She even remembers and cites two consecutive lines of poetry from my piece.
A refrain from a rhyme
Her memory of my composition even extends to recalling a repeated phrase in my writing.
But the ones I aim to pleaseth
Notably, I strive to impress someone in particular.
Most of all upon my kneeseth
I exert myself to satisfy those I consider most essential in my audience.
Are the folk who cough and sneezeth
The most important people to me among my audience are those who cannot contain their physical responses due to being enamored with my work.
Through my prose sublime
Their admiration for my writing is so intense that they can't resist coughing or sneezing even in my most intricate lines.
Contributed by Brody R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.