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Solferino

from Dissidentica by Lilou & John

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"Solferino" is one of the duo's least known songs but still another one of their favorites. The setting is the battle of Solferino in 1859, during the War of Italian independence, "Risorgimento", and was written to honor the memory of Henri Dunant who founded the Red Cross after that battle. The chorus tells of a woman lamenting her dying brother on the battlefield and the verses consist of him trying to comfort her, saying that death is more than we know. But words cannot comfort her. She is still alone when the morning is dawning on the fields of Solferino.

lyrics

But what did I know as the evening was falling
On the green fields of Solferino
What did I know as I felt how the morning
Wind blew over Solferino

I laid by his side as the wind started blowing
Into his fading blue eyes
I laid by his side as he started speaking
Words that he barely pronounced
I laid by his side and I heard what he told me
As guns started roaring again
I laid by his side and felt how my brother
Turned cold and my arms couldn't hold him

”Death is an angel that comes from above
In a shroud of silk white winds
Death is a rose by the side of the road
A star that shines from above
Death is a voice that speaks softly and deep
About things beyond our world
Death is a mirror in which we can see
All those beloved and grieved”

But what did I know as the evening was falling
On the green fields of Solferino
What did I know as I felt how the morning
Wind blew over Solferino

”Death is a candle that burns in the sky
That takes us to kingdoms unknown
Death is a tallship with sails painted black
On seas where no sailor is seen
Death is a whisper we hear through the veil
From shadows we can barely feel
Death is the touch from an infinite god
Watching us grow and decay”

But what did I know as the evening was falling
On the green fields of Solferino
What did I know as I felt how the morning
Wind blew over Solferino

”Death is a battle where heroes are rising
From mud into ethereal triumph
Death is the ocean were all rivers end
Where fishermen set off at dawn
Death is the soft hand that carry us over
The gorge where no mortals can walk
Death is a sister that waits by your side
Until the journey is over”

But what did I know as the evening was falling
On the green fields of Solferino
What did I know as I felt how the morning
Wind blew over Solferino

But what did I know as the evening was falling
On the green fields of Solferino
What did I know as I felt how the morning
Wind blew over Solferino

credits

from Dissidentica, released April 7, 2017

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Lilou & John Sweden

Eclectic heterodox shadowband creating music for introspective dissent in Drone City.

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