Transcript and Lyrics

Myths of Ancient Greece

A long time ago in ancient Greece, there were Gods and Goddesses that lived on a great mountain called Olympus. The myths of these Gods helped explain why things happened.

Why is there rain? Why do we fall in love? Or go to war? The myths of Greece explained all of this.

Myths are stories that help answer some really difficult questions. Like the myth of Demeter, Goddess of the Earth, and her daughter, Persephone, which explained why there are seasons.

Why do people fall in love? Cupid, the God of Love, who has a bow and arrow, shot one of his arrows into someone’s heart and – zowie! – they loved the first person they would see. In Greek times, myths helped people to make sense of the world.

There were twelve super-famous Gods that lived on Mount Olympus. There were also lesser Gods who roamed the earth, and sometimes even a human could be made into a God or Goddess, or sometimes, the Gods might intervene on our behalf. Like Perseus, a poor fisherman who foolishly promised to slay the monster Medusa but had no clue as to how he would do it.

Gods, Goddesses, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, monsters, wars, and endless stories of love are all are part of Greek myths.

COME ALONG AND HEAR THE STORIES
TOLD SO LONG AGO
ABOUT THE GODS AND GODDESSES WHO RULED THE WORLD BELOW
TRAGEDIES AND COMEDIES
SCENES OF LOVE AND WOE
SCARY PARTS THAT FLIP OUR HEARTS
AS MONSTERS COME AND GO
A MASTERPIECE
MYTHS OF ANCIENT GREECE

THERE’S MANY GODS BUT TWELVE
ARE THE MOST WELL KNOWN IN THE LAND
THEY DWELL ON MOUNT OLYMPUS
WHERE THERE LIVES ARE VERY GRAND JOYFUL JEALOUS
SAD AND MAD
THESE GODS MAKE SUCH A FUSS MAKING MISCHIEF
WHAT FUN THIS IS
ACTING JUST LIKE US
THERE’S WAR AND PEACE!
THE MYTHS OF ANCIENT GREECE

ZEUS IS THE GOD OF THE SKY
HE IS MARRIED TO HERA WHO TENDS TO THE HOME APOLLO THE GOD OF THE LIGHT
UNDER THE SEA POSEIDON DOES ROAM
HADES THE GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD
DEMETER, GODDESS OF GRAIN
HERMES GIVES MESSAGES
THERE GOES DEAR ARTEMIS
HUNTING FOR FUN AND FOR GAME
DIONYSUS THE GOD OF THE DANCE
ATHENA IS SHIELDED AND MIGHTY
FORGING THE FIRE IS HEAPHASTEUS
AND THE GODDESS OF LOVE, APHRODITE!

COME ALONG AND HEAR THE STORIES TOLD SO LONG AGO
ABOUT THE GODS AND GODDESSES WHO RULED THE WORLD BELOW
THERE’S KINGS AND QUEENS ADVENTURING
AND HEROES ON A QUEST AND ALL THE GODS
WILL INTERVENE
WHEN THEY THINK IT IS BEST A MASTERPIECE
MYTHS OF ANCIENT GREECE

Scroll

Demeter & Persephone

This is the story of Demeter and Persephone and how the seasons came to be.

There once was a Goddess named Demeter, and she had a daughter named Persephone. Demeter was the Goddess of the corn, of the flowers, of everything that bloomed. And she loved her daughter, Persephone, with all her heart. One day, Persephone was playing in the fields and picking wildflowers.

Persephone's Song

THE WIND IS BUT A WHISPER
RIPPLING THROUGH THE GRAIN
THE FLOWERS FIRST UNFOLDING
TO KISS THE MORNING RAIN

AND I AM IN THE GOLDEN FIELDS
BELIEVE NOT WHAT I SEE
OH JOY
OH JOY TO MOTHER EARTH
FOR GIVING LIFE TO ME

SWIFTLY O’ER THE HILLS AND DALES
I RACE ACROSS THE GREEN
THE SMELL OF ROSE (PINE) AND LAVENDER
AND SEEDLINGS STILL UNSEEN

THE WHEAT IS TALL AND WANTING
AND HIDDEN FROM THE VIEW
I LIE DOWN IN THE MEADOW
THE SKY AND ENDLESS BLUE

AND I AM BUT A GIRL STILL
WHO KNOWS NOT MUCH AT ALL
BUT ON MY FACE AND FINGER TIPS
AND IN MY HAIR AND ON MY LIPS
THE SUNLIGHT SPILLS AND FALLS

THE WIND IS BUT A WHISPER
RIPPLING THROUGH THE GRAIN
THE FLOWERS FIRST UNFOLDING
TO KISS THE MORNING RAIN

AND I AM IN THE GOLDEN FIELDS
BELIEVE NOT WHAT I SEE
OH JOY
OH JOY TO MOTHER EARTH
FOR GIVING LIFE
FOR BREATHING LIFE INTO ME

All day long Persephone played in the fields. When she came upon a beautiful flower, she stopped in her tracks. She plucked it, and a hole in the earth opened up. As she leaned down to look into it, Hades, God of the Underworld, rose up and pulled her to him.

Hades was a strong and powerful God and wanted a wife. Crying and scared, Persephone had no choice but to go with him. Demeter heard the cries of her daughter and rushed to find out what was wrong, but Persephone was nowhere to be found.

Demeter's Song

COMBING THE FIELDS
EVERY ROW
EVERY GRAIN
COME UP EMPTY

SMASHING THE BARLEY
CHAFING THE WHEAT IT’S NO GOOD
SHE’S NOT HERE
SHE’S NOT HERE

WHY DID I LEAVE HER ALONE
I SHOULD NEVER TAKE CHANCES
THINKING SHE’S OLD ENOUGH
TO FOLLOW THE RULES

BUT SHE’S STILL SUCH A CHILD
WHOSE HEART RUNS WILD
AND FREE
WHERE CAN SHE BE?

SHE WANTED HER FREEDOM
I THOUGHT IT TOO SOON BUT I WAS WILLING
WHAT KIND OF DANGER
A MARK FROM A STRANGER’S HAND

AND OH, I CANNOT BREATHE
I CANNOT BEAR THAT SHE MIGHT NOW BE GONE
I’LL NEVER REST I CAN’T MOVE ON

WITHOUT HER
PLEASE
COME BACK TO ME
SAFE AND SOUND
SAFE AND SOUND

Heartbroken, Demeter stopped the corn, and the flowers, and everything that bloomed, from growing. The earth became dry and barren, and the people were worried they would go hungry. They cried out to Zeus, King of all the Gods, and begged for his help.

Zeus heard the people’s cries and decreed Persephone be returned to her mother as long as she hadn’t eaten anything - for there were rules of the Underworld even Zeus could not change. But Persephone had eaten something: six pomegranate seeds that Hades gave to her when she was hungry.

What was Zeus going to do? Think. Think. Think. Think. Finally, Zeus came up with a brilliant plan. He made a deal with Hades: Persephone would stay in the Underworld for half of the year but she would return to her mother for the other half. When mother and daughter were reunited, they were overjoyed to see each other. All day they laughed and hugged and talked of what happened to them both.

Meadowlark

COME APOLLO PLAY YOUR MUSIC
LET THE BLOSSOMS BLOOM AGAIN
IN THE FIELDS FROM GREY TO GOLD
MOTHER DAUGHTER HAND IN HAND

AND THE MORNING SONG
OF THE MEADOWLARK
IS THE SAME MELODY OF LOVE
THAT SINGS IN BOTH THEIR HEARTS

DOWN IN THE VALLEY
THE COLORS ARE BURSTING
THE WHEAT AND THE BARLEY AND GRAINS MULTIPLY
YELLOWS AND PURPLES AND GREENS ARE CONVERSING
HALLOW THE GLORIOUS SPRINGTIME’S REPLY

AND THE MORNING SONG
OF THE MEADOWLARK
IS THE SAME MELODY OF LOVE
THAT SINGS IN BOTH THEIR HEARTS

SOMETIMES A MYSTERY
TAKES US DOWN A ROAD
LEADS TO A DEEPENING
ASKING US TO GROW HERE WITH OUR LONELINESS
THE SEEDS THAT WE SOW
HELPS US FIND ANOTHER WAY
ANOTHER WAY HOME

AND THE MORNING SONG
OF THE MEADOWLARK IS THE SAME MELODY OF LOVE
THAT SINGS IN BOTH THEIR HEARTS

And so, when Persephone returned to her husband, Hades, the earth became dry and barren and without crops, for Demeter was grieving at the loss of her daughter. But when Persephone returned to her mother, the flowers bloomed, the corn grew, and the earth was green again.

And that is how the seasons came to be.

Perseus & Medusa

This is the myth of Perseus and Medusa. Hang on to your hats!

There once was a creature named Medusa, who lived on the Terrible Sisters Island. She had hair made of snakes and a body covered in shiny, gold scales. If any living thing ever looked at Medusa, they would turn to stone. She could not walk but would slither on the ground and rise up on her tail should anyone catch her eye.

All over the island there were petrified beings who had dared to look at her. If a bird flew by and caught her eye -- whap, splat, the bird fell down, all because they accidentally looked at Medusa. So scary was Medusa that no one dared to ever battle her. She was too powerful, and everyone in all of Greece knew she could not be beaten.

On a small island in the Aegean Sea, lived a humble fisherman named Perseus. He lived there with his mother, and though they did not have much, they were happy. The King that ruled the island wanted to marry Perseus’s mother. But she was not in love with him. She was devoted to her son and had no need of marriage. And so, the King devised a plan.

He held a banquet and everyone was ordered to bring a gift. Perseus, being poor, could offer nothing, but volunteered to slay the monster Medusa and bring the king her head. “Perfect,” thought the King. “This will give me time to woo Perseus’s mother and get her to be my wife. Plus, he will never survive his battle with Medusa, for she is too strong and powerful.” Everyone knew this was an impossible task.

And so, Perseus set off to battle Medusa. But soon he grew doubtful. He did not feel prepared. “How will I slay her?” he wondered. “I have no weapons.” But the God Hermes and Goddess Athena took pity on Perseus and decided to help him.

“Perseus,” they said, “you need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them.”

“Ok,” Perseus said, feeling cheered up already. “I need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them.”

“And,” Hermes and Athena said. “You need to go visit the three old grey women and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell you the way to the Nymphs of the North.”

“Ok...I need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell me the way to the Nymphs of the North. Got it.”

“And,” Hermes and Athena added. “You need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell you the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give you a wallet for Medusa’s head that’s very expandable.”

“Ok. I need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell me the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give me a wallet for medusa’s head that’s very expandable. Got it.”

“And...you need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell you the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give you a wallet that’s very expandable, also a cap that will make you invisible.”

“Ok. So I need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell me the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give me a wallet that’s very expandable, also a cap that will make me invisible.”

“And you need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell you the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give you a wallet that’s very expandable, also a cap that will make you invisible, and sandals with wings that can fly you away.”

“And, you need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell you the way to the Nymphs of the North, who will give you a wallet that’s very expandable, also a cap, that will make you invisible, sandals with wings that can fly you away, and also a sword for the dreadful dark deed. And finally crucially, a shield from Athena, that shines like a mirror, so you won’t turn to stone.”

“Ok. So I need to go visit the three old grey women, and snatch up the eyeball they’re sharing between them, they’ll tell me the way to the nymphs of the north, who will give me a wallet that’s very expandable, also a cap that will make me invisible, and sandals with wings that can fly me away, and also a sword for the dreadful dark deed. And finally crucially, a shield from Athena, that shines like a mirror, so I won’t turn to stone. Got it!”

Now, Perseus was ready for battle. He went to the Terrible Sisters Island and the Gorgons were asleep. Covered in scales with hair made of snakes, they were a scary sight to behold. Perseus, with the help of Athena, found Medusa, and using the shield to see her reflection, cut off Medusa’s head. He put the head in the magic wallet, put on the cap that made him invisible to the other Gorgons, and with the winged sandals flew away back to the Fisherman’s Island.

Perseus had his trophy! He presented the head to the King. The End.

Orpheus & Eurydice

In ancient times, there lived a young man named Orpheus, who could sing and play music as beautifully as the Gods. All the animals and birds, even trees and rocks, were charmed when hearing his music. And the Gods themselves wept when he played.

One day, Orpheus came upon a beautiful girl named Eurydice, and they fell in love. But on their wedding day, Eurydice was bitten by a poisonous viper and was carried to the Underworld where Hades ruled. Orpheus was heartbroken. Finally, he summoned his courage and decided to go down to the Underworld to get her back.

A three-headed dog named Cerberus, was guarding the gates to the entrance. But Orpheus had his lyre with him and played a lullaby that put the beast to sleep. The ghosts and spirits of the Underworld stopped their despairing.

Finally Hades, and his Queen Persephone, were drawn to the enchanting melody that wafted through the shadow world. Orpheus begged Hades to let his wife return with him to the land of the living. Hades agreed on one condition: Orpheus could not look back at her as they made their climb to the surface. “I promise,” he said.

With Eurydice following closely behind, Orpheus led them out of the Underworld and into the light. But at the last moment, fearing she might not be behind him, he looked back. “Farewell,” she cried. And Eurydice was gone forever.

For a long time Orpheus wandered alone, missing his wife and playing his sad music. When he died, his lyre was carried to the heavens by the muses, and a shrine was placed below Mount Olympus, where the nightingales to this day gather and sing. It is said that the God Hermes invented the lyre, but Orpheus perfected it.

ONE MORE DAY
ONE MORE NIGHT I CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP
ONCE I HAD HAPPINESS
THE SWEETNESS IN HER EYE
NOW ALL I HEAR IS GOODBYE

BY MY SIDE
WALKING WITH ME
MY DEPARTED BRIDE
ONCE I HAD HAPPINESS
RINGING LIKE A BELL
NOW ALL I HEAR IS FAREWELL

Narcissus & Echo

It was known throughout the land of ancient Greece that Zeus, King of all Gods, didn’t like to stay home much. Queen Hera, his wife, knew this and was always following him, making sure he stayed out of mischief. He was known to transform himself into a swan or a bull and play all day with humans, intervening here and there where he had no business.

One day, Zeus went gallivanting around, and Hera followed him into the forest where the beautiful wood nymphs lived. They were playing games and singing just as young girls do. There was one lovely nymph named Echo, who was a chatterbox. She loved to talk and talk, and sing and talk. Hera was so taken with the charming girl, that she forgot all about Zeus.

Echo's Song

IT HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY
THE NYMPHS WENT ON A HOLIDAY
SPECIFICALLY NAIROBI, ELOISA AND ELIZA MAY
THE LADY BUGS WERE ALL A FLIT
WITHOUT THE NYMPHS TO WRITE A SKIT
ABOUT THE BLOOMS BENEATH THE WOOD

THAT I DON’T LIKE A BIT
WHY DON’T I LIKE THE BLOOMS YOU MAY WONDER?
WELL I ALSO AM NOT PARTIAL TO THE THUNDER
IT CAN BE LOUD BOOMING SPOOKY TERRITORY
BUT I DON’T WANT TO THINK ON IT
LET’S GO ON WITH THE STORY

SO THEN THE BLUE BIRDS WENT A FLUTTER
CHARLES THE BEAR ATE PEANUT BUTTER
EVERYONE KNOW THAT’S NO GOOD
BUT FROM US NOT A SINGLE UTTER
CAUSE WE’RE TO SHY TO TELL THE BEAR
OR MAYBE TRULY WE’RE TOO SCARED
TO TRY AND TELL A GIANT BEAR ANYTHING
UTTER UTTER UTTER UTTER
I’M THINKING OF A COW

EVELYN TOLD THOMAS
THAT SHE THOUGHT HE BROKE HIS PROMISE
ON THE DAY SHE DANCED A POLKA
AND HE WORE HIS STRIPED PAJAMAS
AND THEN THERE WAS AURORA
WHO EXCLAIMED SHE WAS ALL FOR A
SEWING COMPETITION IN ADDITION
THAT DID NOT PLEASE CORA
WHY DO YOU THINK IT DID NOT PLEASE OUR CORA?
WELL I KNOW SHE HAD A FIGHT WITH LEONORA
WHO LIKED TO SEW IN CIRCLES
BUT WAS CHOOSY WHO GOT IN
AND NOW THE THREADS AND NEEDLES ARE ALL GONE

THAT’S THE NEWS
IN GREENS AND BLUES
YOU CANT REFUSE
TO HEAR THE NEWS
THAT’S THE NEWS
IN BLACK AND WHITE
I’LL HAVE MORE TO TELL YOU
LATER ON TONIGHT

YESTERDAY A NIGHTINGALE
FELL ON A ROCK AND BROKE HER TAIL
WE WRAPPED IT IN A JACKET
WHEN SHE MADE A SHOCKING CRY AND WAILED
ALL THE BIRDS BEGAN TO TWEET
IN THE WOOD AND IN THE HEAT

YOU CANNOT FIX A FEATHERED TAIL WITHOUT A BADGERS TEETH
WHY DO YOU NEED THE BADGERS TEETH YOU ASK
WELL YOU ALSO NEED A SILVER COATED FLASK
TO POUR THE ELDER FLOWER IN THE BIRDIE’S EAR
AND THAT IS WHAT WILL SURELY FIX THE TAIL
BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE
IT’S REALLY FUN TO SAY

THAT’S THE NEWS
IN GREENS AND BLUES
YOU CANT REFUSE
TO HEAR THE NEWS
THAT’S THE NEWS
IN BLACK AND WHITE
I’LL HAVE MORE TO TELL YOU
LATER ON TONIGHT

Hera enjoyed Echo’s gossiping, but when she realized that Zeus had slipped away, the Goddess sentenced Echo never to use her voice again except to repeat what was said to her. “You will always have the last word -- but no power to speak first.” And so Echo was unable to chat, but could only repeat what someone said to her.

One day a beautiful young boy named Narcissus, came into the woods. Echo fell madly in love with him the moment she saw him. She followed him everywhere but without being able to speak first, how would she get him to pay attention to her? Finally her chance had come.

Narcissus called out, “Is anyone here?”

And Echo replied. “Here-here!”

But Narcissus could not see her for she was hidden in the trees.

He called out again. “Come!”

To which Echo answered joyfully, “Come!” and ran to embrace him.

But he did not want her embrace and he pushed her away. And then he said, “What is wrong with you? I don’t want to hug you. I don’t even know you. Get out of my sight, you are a plain and un-pretty thing.”

Echo blushed and felt ashamed and ran through the woods till she found a cave to hide in. And so the cruel Narcissus went on his way.

Meanwhile, Echo had a friend, the great and beautiful Goddess named Nemesis, who heard of what happened. And she was upset at what Narcissus had done to her friend. She found him in the woods one day, showing off to the other nymphs. She took Narcissus aside.

It's Not Nice to Be Mean

IT’S NOT NICE TO BE MEAN
WHEN IT TAKES SO LITTLE EFFORT
TO BE KIND
WHEN YOU’VE SEEN
HOW SHE LAID HER HEART BARE
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE
TO BE POLITE
IT WOULDN’T COST A THING
DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S NOT NICE TO BE MEAN

YOU’VE GOT THE WORLD AT YOUR FEET
GIRLS ARE HANGING ON YOUR EVERY WORD
THEY COMPETE
JUST TO STEAL A GLANCE
AND THOUGH ECHO TOOK A CHANCE
THE TRUTH YOU COULDN’T GLEAN
DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S NOT NICE TO BE MEAN

BEAUTY IS NOT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE
IT’S HOW YOU TREAT YOUR FRIENDS THAT MATTERS MORE

YOU MAY THINK THIS IS A GAME
SAYING THINGS THAT HURT SOMEBODY’S FEELINGS
UNASHAMED YOU GO
SO LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH THIS
THERE IS NOTHING IN BETWEEN
IT’S NEVER NICE
NOT EVER NICE
NO THANK YOU WOULD SUFFICE/ DON’T THINK TWICE
IT’S NEVER NICE TO BE MEAN

Narcissus couldn't have cared less what anyone else’s opinion was. And so, Nemesis got an idea: she took Narcissus to a pool of water. “Why don’t you stop here for a while?” she said.

Narcissus looked in the water and saw his reflection for the first time. He fell madly in love with himself. So beautiful did he find the image before him, he could not look away.

Get a Little Closer to You

I LIKE THE WAY THAT YOU SMILE
I LIKE THE GREEN IN YOUR EYE
I LIKE THE RED IN YOUR LIPS
MY HEART’S IN A TWIST
I WANT TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU

YOU’RE ADORABLE CHIN
AND THOSE EDIBLE EARS
YOUR IMPECCABLE CHEEK
MMM MY BODY IS WEAK
I WANT TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU

WHY DO YOU KEEP DISAPPEARING
EVERY TIME THAT WE KISS
YOUR POUT SO ENDEARING
I’M A BUCKET OF BLISS

LET ME SING ABOUT YOUR HAIR
SHINES LIKE THE GOLDEN SUN
AND YOUR DELICATE SKIN
OH THE TROUBLE I’M IN
I WANT TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU

I’M A LUCKY BOY
I’VE FOUND MY LOVE AND JOY
NO QUESTION ABOUT IT
I’M TICKLED, I’LL SHOUT IT

YOU’RE THE BELLE OF THE BALL
BEAUTY BEYOND COMPARE
A JEWEL TO BE TREASURED
EACH FEATURE UNMEASURED
I WANT TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER
I WANT TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU.

Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection, and could never look away again. He spent the rest of his life enchanted by his own image.

So when you go into a cave, or any place you hear your own voice answering, that is Echo’s voice that lives on forever. And when you look into your own reflection, remember, don’t look too long.

Cupid & Psyche

There once was a King who had three beautiful daughters, but his youngest daughter, Psyche, was the most beautiful of all. She was so beautiful that all the young men would only admire her. No one would talk to her.

The King was so worried that Psyche would always be alone he went to visit the Oracle at Delphi. The Oracle said that Psyche would be married one day, and the King should not worry. He told the King to blindfold Psyche, and take her to a bluff, where her beloved would surely come.

When the King told Psyche the news she begged her father, “Please don’t make me go!”

Psyche's Song

WHAT DO YOU MEAN PAPA SENDING ME SO FAR AWAY
FAR FROM MY MOTHER FORM MY SISTERS FROM MY HOME?
I’M NOT FULLY GROWN
JUST SEVENTEEN
PAPA, THINK WHAT THIS COULD MEAN

UP ON A BLUFF I WILL BE WAITING THERE BLINDFOLDED
HOW COULD YOU THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING I’D ENDURE?
HOW CAN YOU BE SO SURE
WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN
THINK AGAIN PAPA
THINK AGAIN

I COULD TEND THE SHEEP
I COULD WEAR A BOY’S DISGUISE
NO ONE THEN WOULD RECOGNIZE
YOU’D NEVER NEED APOLOGIZE
NO ONE THEN WOULD EVER KNOW MY NAME

I WOULD NOT GO OUT
I I’D JUST STAY INDOORS
MAKE THE BED
MOP THE FLOORS
HELP MOTHER WITH HER DAILY CHORES
NO ONE THAN WOULD EVER KNOW MY NAME

I COULD LEARN A TRADE
BUILD BRIDGES CLIMB MOUNTAINS
I’D NEVER PAPA EVER COMPLAIN

MAKE OFFERINGS TO DEMETER
IN SPRINGTIME I COULD TEND TO HER
FIELDS AND GRAINS AND WILLOW TREES

PAPA, THINK HOW THIS WILL END
THINK AGAIN

DON’T MAKE ME DO WHAT I’LL REGRET
TO MARRY SOMEONE I’VE NOT MET
DON’T SAY YOUR FINAL ANSWER YET PLEASE
PAPA, THINK OF WHO I AM
THINK AGAIN

But the King was firm and the next day the whole family brought Psyche to the mountaintop and said goodbye. Psyche was so scared. “What will become of me?” she thought. “What will this husband look like? What will he be like?”

Soon Psyche fell asleep, and a warm wind lifted her up from the bluff and carried her to a mysterious land. When Psyche awoke she saw the most beautiful palace, made of silver and gold. There were no people to welcome Psyche but there were voices beckoning her to a banquet of her most favorite foods. “Where am I?” she wondered.

At nighttime, a voice called to her and Psyche met her husband at last. They fell very much in love with each other, and Psyche could not believe her good fortune.

However, one of the promises Psyche made to her husband was that she could never lay eyes on him during the day, and her family could never visit.

Psyche was delirious with joy and very much in love but as time went on, she missed her sisters very much and begged her husband that she be allowed to see them. He consented, but he warned Psyche there could be consequences.

Soon after, the sisters came to visit. At first they were all so happy to see each other. They cried and laughed and told stories from their childhood.

But the sisters were jealous of Psyche’s palace and all the riches she had. When Psyche told them she had never laid eyes on her husband, the sisters said he must be a monster. They warned her that he could hurt her, kill her even, and that she must see what he looks like. They said if he is indeed a monster, she must kill him.

Strike Before You Fall

YOU’RE TELLING US YOU NEVER LAID YOUR EYES ON THE MAN
WHEN YOU’RE SHARING ALL YOUR SECRET WE DON’T UNDERSTAND
IF HE’S SOMEONE WHO
YOU’RE TRUSTING TO
BE ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE
SISTER! WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO HIDE?

YOU’VE GOT TO LIGHT A LAMP
BRING IT TO THE BED
TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR HUSBAND’S HEAD
AND SEE IF HE IS HUMAN AFTER ALL
BRING A DAGGER JUST IN CASE
WHEN YOU LOOK UPON HIS UGLY FACE
YOU’LL BE READY TO STRIKE
STRIKE BEFORE YOU FALL

WHAT IF HE’S A SERPENT
OR A MONSTER WITH A TAIL?
HE COULD BE A FOUR EYED DRAGON
WITH A CROOKED FINGERNAIL
HE COULD HAVE YOU FOR HIS DINNER
AND WE’D NEVER KNOW YOU CRIED
SISTER! WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO HIDE?

That night, after her beloved had fallen asleep, Psyche lit a candle and brought it to her bedside. There before her lay the most beautiful God of all, Cupid, the God of Love. So startled was Psyche, she stumbled and a drop of hot wax landed on Cupid’s shoulder. He awoke and saw Psyche standing there. She had broken her promise. “Love cannot live where there is no trust!” he cried. And Cupid flew away.

Psyche, realizing her mistake, set off to find her husband. She came upon the House of Venus, Cupid’s mother, the Goddess of Love. “Away from here,” Venus snapped. “You have betrayed my son. How can he ever trust you again?”.

Venus' Song

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING
WHEN YOU MANAGED WITHOUT BLINKING
TO BETRAY THE GOD OF LOVE ON A WHIM?
DID YOU NEVER JUST CONSIDER
WHEN YOUR BRAIN WAS ALL A TWITTER THE INFRACTIONS OF YOUR ACTIONS AGAINST HIM?

DID YOU THINK YOU COULD TAKE LIGHTLY
SUCH A PROMISE OR IT MIGHT BE
THAT YOU HUMANS HAVE NO HEART TO REALLY SPEAK OF FOR TELL ME NOW THE REASON
YOU WOULD BREAK HIS HEART
IT’S TREASON
AND TO THINK MY SON WAS YOURS- THE GOD OF LOVE

GO DOWN AWAY FROM HERE
YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH DESTROYING FOR THE DAY
YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A PEASANT
AND THE SIGHT OF YOU, UNPLEASANT
YOU’RE A SELFISH GIRL WHO HAD TO HAVE HER WAY

IT’S REALLY SUCH A PITY
WHEN A GIRL WHO THINKS SHE’S PRETTY
DOESN’T HAVE A CONSCIENCE FOR WHAT’S RIGHT OR WRONG AND SITS NOW ALL DESPAIRING
WHILE SHE BEGS HER CASE DECLARING
SHE IS SORRY THAT SHE COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE STRONG

ARE YOU REALLY SO DIMWITTED THAT YOU STILL CANNOT ADMIT IT
YOU BETRAYED THE ONLY GOOD THING THAT YOU HAD
THERE’S NOTHING MORE TO SAY HERE
EXCEPT THIS- “BE ON YOUR WAY DEAR”
HE’S NEVER, PSYCHE, EVER COMING BACK

GO, GO AWAY FROM HERE
YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A CURSE UPON OUR HOME
WE DON’T NEED A CONVERSATION
WHEN YOU’VE BROUGHT SUCH DEVASTATION
I’M TELLING YOU GET OUT- LEAVE HIM ALONE!

Determined and heartbroken, Psyche would not leave. She waited outside the house for weeks. Eventually Venus relented, and gave Psyche three tasks to accomplish in order to prove her love for Cupid.

The first task was to sort through a giant heap of mixed seeds. It seemed impossible and Psyche was beside herself as to how she could do it. Just when she was giving up hope, a colony of ants came to help her. Working all through the night, the tiny creatures helped separate and divide the grains.

The second task was to collect the golden fleece from the sheep down by the riverbank. Psyche was despairing as to how to get the wool while the ornery sheep were still awake. A gentle, green reed on the riverbank told her to wait till nightfall. Once the sheep came out of the bushes to rest by the river, they would leave patches of wool on the branches. Psyche was then able to collect the golden fleece.

The third and final task, Psyche had to collect black water from the river Styxx that flowed down a mountain. But when Psyche tried to reach the waterfall, the climb was too steep and the rocks too slippery. An eagle swooped down the mountain and took the bottle from Psyche’s hand, to collect the water for her.

Psyche had completed the three tasks and was exhausted. She laid down and fell asleep. Cupid, having seen how Psyche truly loved him and would do anything for him, swooped down to her and forgave her. He took her in his arms and flew her to Mount Olympus, where Psyche was made into a Goddess. Forevermore, Cupid and Psyche were married, and loved each other for all time.

Cupid's Song

FROM THE SHADOWS
LOVE UNRAVELS AND
BRINGS A HOLY LIGHT
ON THE MOUNTAIN
BY THE WATER BURNING THROUGH THE NIGHT

ONCE IN A LIFETIME
YOU ARE LOST IN A MOMENT
WHEN YOU FIND YOUR ONE TRUE LOVE

SWIFT LIKE AN EAGLE
SOAR LIKE A SEAGULL
HIGH IN THE CLOUDS ABOVE

RISING,
SLEEPING
WAKING
REACHING
ARM IN ARM THEY GO
OPENHEARTED
NEVER PARTED
THE SWEETNESS
THEY NOW KNOW

And so, these are just some of the tales told in Ancient Greece, and there are so many more to tell.