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The Lamentable Ballet

from Pantomime of Wealth by Latin Quarter

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Ein Song über das Leben von Rudolf Nurejew und die Paralellen der politischen Situation von damals und heute.
Die Geschichte von Nurejew ist die eines Mannes, der einfach nur sein Leben auf eine bestimmte Art leben wollte, was im Osten nicht möglich war. Durch seine Flucht vor dem Kommunismus in den Westen geriet er mitten zwischen die Fronten. Für den Osten war er der abtrünnige Verräter; für den Westen der Beweis wie viel besser das Leben dort sei. Seine zurückgelassene Familie musste unter Repressionen leiden. Den Kalten Krieg und das Taktieren beider Seiten vergleicht Texter Michael McNeil mit einem choreographierten Ballett, das vor den Augen der Weltöffentlichkeit aufgeführt wird. Ein Schaukampf, der eigentlich ein Trauerspiel ist.

lyrics

The Lamentable Ballet
(Skaith/MacNeill)

Standing on tiptoe to see the other side of the world
Dropping the flag they want to show unfurled
Dying with elegance, a swan to fall
You never felt so cold with your back against the wall.
Jet from one to the arms of another
Not quite your friend, not quite your lover
A socialite more sinister, connections on high
Dashing arabesque, fingers to the sky.

A call from your mother, your brother’s in arms
Damage to your family, reputations harmed
Adored by so many but loved by so few
A passion for your artistry but not for the curfew
Enjoying all that the west had to offer
Till that disease that you finally suffered
Stage directions when you stepped into the limelight
Forever outcast, the circumstance of sight.

The lamentable ballet
Choreographed with precision
Republic outrage and crowds of derision
From Moscow to Paris
Turn your back to the old
The Lamentable ballet was being retold
The lamentable ballet was being retold.

credits

from Pantomime of Wealth, released April 13, 2018
special guest:
Electric cello - Anna Carewe

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Latin Quarter UK

Latin Quarter are celebrating the 40th anniverary of their 'Modern Times'-album this year. They first burst onto the scene with their singles "Radio Africa" and "New Millionaires" – songs that stayed for months in the German single charts in the 80s. The band split up in 1998. In 2011 five of the original musicians got together again. 7 new albums released after this reunion. . ... more

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