Fragment 94 from Realm by Allison Burik

Ancient Greek lyric poet, musician, and lover of women, Sappho of the Isle of Lesbos, lived from c. 610 to c. 570 BCE. Regarded as one of the most important and influential writers of her time, Hellenistic poets deemed her “the tenth Muse.” Only one of her thousands of poems has survived the centuries and remains complete; the rest of her verse exists in fragments. Anne Carson beautifully and carefully translates Sappho’s lyrics in the book, If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho. I chose to bring music back to Fragment 94 because it was so obviously written in adoration of another woman, and also because of the ending lines “and there was no dance… no holy place… from which we were absent.” Repeated, the phrase becomes a validation, a promise, and proof that queer love has, and will always be, part of the human experience.

Tracklist

9.	Fragment 94	6:06

Lyrics

For many crowns of violets and roses...at my side you put on
and many woven garlands mad of flowers around your soft throat.
and with sweet oil costly you anointed yourself
and on a soft bed delicate you could let loose your longing
and there was no dance, no holy place, from which we were absent
and there was no dance, no holy place, from which we were absent
no dance, no holy place, from which we were absent
no dance, no holy place, from which we were absent

Credits

from Realm, released February 2, 2024

License