Lament
Mandy Patinkin & Patti LuPone Lyrics
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I could have any prize that I desired
I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire
Or else, or else I could choose time
Remember I was very young then
And a year was forever and a day
So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be?
And how I lived, how they shone
But how soon the lights were gone
The choice was yours and noone else's
You can cry for a body in despair
Hang your head because she is no longer there
To shine, to dazzle, or betray
How she lived, how she shone
But how soon the lights were gone
Eyes, hair, face, image
All must be preserved
Still life displayed forever
No less than she deserved.
The song Lament by Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone is a poignant exploration of life's choices and the fleeting nature of existence. The opening lines convey the idea that the singer had the power to choose her destiny and the rewards that came with it. She could have opted for greatness and the accompanying brilliance, but instead, she chose time - a decision she made when she was very young and thought that years stretched for eternity. However, as life progressed, she realized that even the brightest lights can fade away too soon.
The middle stanza of the song turns into a hauntingly beautiful reflection that explores the passage of time and how it affects everyone. The lyrics "how she lived, how she shone, but how soon the lights were gone" are a powerful reminder that life is fleeting and nothing lasts forever. The song then switches from being the singer's personal reflection to a general observation of how people respond to loss. The singer knows that the memories are all that remain of the dead, and people must treat them with delicate care always to preserve their image and memory.
Overall, Lament is a song about life, choices, and loss. It is a haunting reflection on the brevity of life and how we should cherish every moment of life.
Line by Line Meaning
The choice was mine, and mine completely
I made the decision without any influence from others
I could have any prize that I desired
I had the ability to pursue anything I wanted
I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire
I could pursue a path to greatness and glory
Or else, or else I could choose time
Alternatively, I could have chosen to live a more relaxed and peaceful life
Remember I was very young then
At the time of making the decision, I was young and inexperienced
And a year was forever and a day
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly
So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be?
The idea of old age didn't seem relevant or important
I saw the lights, and I was on my way
The allure of fame and success was powerful
And how I lived, how they shone
I achieved great things and lived a life of excitement and achievement
But how soon the lights were gone
However, my success was fleeting and ultimately short-lived
The choice was yours and noone else's
You made the decision without any influence from others
You can cry for a body in despair
You are grieving the loss of someone important to you
Hang your head because she is no longer there
You are mourning the absence of someone who brought light into your life
To shine, to dazzle, or betray
The person you lost was capable of great things, but also capable of causing pain
How she lived, how she shone
The person had a beautiful life and radiated light
But how soon the lights were gone
Unfortunately, the person's life was cut short
Eyes, hair, face, image
Everything about the person's physical appearance was important to them
All must be preserved
They believed that their image must be maintained and looked after
Still life displayed forever
Their image should be immortalized in art or photography
No less than she deserved.
They believed that their beauty and image deserved to be preserved for all time
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SusieRed
❤️Aggggghhhhh! 😭😭😭Patti Lupone will always and forever be Evita. This gives me chills.
When one puts this next to Madonna's wispy, pathetic attempt it shines even brighter.❤️
M0thra
I like how Che leaves at the end, as if to say this is chapter of the story is over but there is a new one when Che leaves Argentina to start his own journey. Both Che and Eva are controversial figures but adored by many, hated by many.
Sc Swp
I didn’t see Patti as Evita, but I enjoy watching/listening to clips of her performance. In this part, however, I find her vocals too ‘strong’ if that makes sense? She is on her deathbed here, yet her vocals are still strong. I think her voice requires much more frailty in this scene - just my opinion.
Joanne's Vodka Stinger: Patti LuPone Video Archive
Opinions are always welcome here! :-)
Pedro Guida
You make a point, however it might be this specific performance perhaps? In the recording she sings the Lament in a more delicate tone. There are also other videos of this scene on YouTube in which she shows the fragility better.
SusieRed
I completely disagree. Evita was such a strong, amazing woman. She would have used every ounce of strength she had remaining to say (sing) her last words.