Lament
Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin 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 from the Broadway musical Evita is a touching and melancholic reflection on the fleeting nature of fame and the sacrifices that are made to achieve it. The song is a duet sung by the two main characters, Eva Perón and Che Guevara, played by Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin respectively. As the song begins, Eva sings about the choices that she had in life and how she chose fame over all else. She could have had anything that she desired, but instead, she chose the bright lights of the stage. She reflects on how young she was then and how time seemed endless.
Che Guevara then enters, and they sing about how quickly fame fades away. Eva reflects on how she shone on stage, but how quickly the lights were gone. Che reminds her that she made the choice to pursue fame, and now she must deal with the consequences. The song ends with the haunting refrain, "how she lived, how she shone, but how soon the lights were gone."
The lyrics of Lament are particularly poignant when considering the life of Evita Perón, the real-life person upon whom the musical is based. Eva came from humble beginnings and rose to fame and power as the wife of Argentine President Juan Perón. She was a controversial figure, both loved and hated by the Argentine people. Eva died of cancer at just 33 years old, a tragic end to a life that burned bright but faded quickly.
Line by Line Meaning
The choice was mine, and mine completely
I had complete control over my choices and decisions
I could have any prize that I desired
I had the ability to attain anything I wanted
I could burn with the splendor of the brightest fire
I had the potential to excel and shine brightly
Or else, or else I could choose time
Alternatively, I could decide to wait patiently
Remember I was very young then
At that time, I was too inexperienced
And a year was forever and a day
Time felt infinite and never-ending
So what use could fifty, sixty, seventy be?
Old age seemed irrelevant and far away
I saw the lights, and I was on my way
I was drawn to the bright lights of success and fame
And how I lived, how they shone
I thrived and was radiant
But how soon the lights were gone
The success and fame were fleeting and didn't last
The choice was yours and noone else's
You made your own decisions and can't blame others
You can cry for a body in despair
But you shouldn't lament for someone who's gone
Hang your head because she is no longer there
Don't mourn the loss of someone who can't be brought back
To shine, to dazzle, or betray
Her legacy was to excel and impress, but also hurt and deceive
How she lived, how she shone
She lived vibrantly, with much admiration
But how soon the lights were gone
But eventually her brightness faded just as quickly
Eyes, hair, face, image
All aspects of appearance and physicality
All must be preserved
Every detail should be documented and remembered
Still life displayed forever
A permanent representation should be created and showcased
No less than she deserved.
This is the minimum she deserves for her accomplishments
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
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.