Half Cremona SAM

Talis Kimberley

Half Cremona

Copyright ©2023 by Talis Kimberley
Lyrics posted by permission of the author

Speak not too loud
Nor shout nor sing;
Speak not too loud
Nor shout nor sing;

/ Half Cremona holds its breath; let no clock chime, let no bells ring;
/ Skilled hands are playing every note upon this / aged violin

Whose
Wood is not immortal, oh, speak soft, nor shout, nor sing; we are
Capturing the voice of Stradivari's violin, let
Everybody hush, you never heard a sound like this, how four
Hundred-year-old maple sings as string and horsehair kiss

/ Half Cremona holds its breath; let no clock chime, let no bells ring;
/ Skilled hands are playing every note upon this / aged violin

Each
Bowstroke, every nuance for a month of precious days; each shift of
Fingers, neck and bow and bridge most reverently played; as a
Testament to genius (how the fragile wood vibrates) all is
Captured and recorded before 'now' becomes 'too late'

I
Hold it near my heart, this shallow box of wood and air, as if to
Do so were a sacrament I've one last chance to share; one
Day the wood will cease to sing, I know it to be so. Nor
Am I less than mortal / / nor was Antonio

/ Half Cremona holds its breath; let no clock chime, let no bells ring;
/ Skilled hands are playing every note upon this / aged violin, Half Cremona Holds its breath...

Speak not too loud...
Nor shout not sing...
Let no clocks chime...
Let no bells ring