The Song of Songs First Encounter

experimental, avant-garde, ethereal vocals, distorted synths, polyrhythmic percussion, ambient textures, spoken word interludes, microtonal harmonies, harp glissandos, drone bass, cinematic crescendos

[Woman]
Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth,
for your love is better than wine,
better than the fragrance of your perfumes.
Your name is a flowing perfume—
therefore young women love you.

Draw me after you! Let us run!
The king has brought me to his bed chambers.
Let us exult and rejoice in you;
let us celebrate your love: it is beyond wine!
Rightly do they love you!

I am black and beautiful,
Daughters of Jerusalem—
Like the tents of Qedar,
like the curtains of Solomon.
Do not stare at me because I am so black,
because the sun has burned me.
The sons of my mother were angry with me;
they charged me with the care of the vineyards:
my own vineyard I did not take care of.

Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
where you shepherd, where you give rest at midday.
Why should I be like one wandering
after the flocks of your companions?

[Man]
If you do not know,
most beautiful among women,
Follow the tracks of the flock
and pasture your lambs
near the shepherds’ tents.

To a mare among Pharaoh’s chariotry
I compare you, my friend:
Your cheeks lovely in pendants,
your neck in jewels.
We will make pendants of gold for you,
and ornaments of silver.

[Woman]
While the king was upon his couch,
my spikenard gave forth its fragrance.
My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh;
between my breasts he lies.
My lover is to me a cluster of henna
from the vineyards of En-gedi.

[Man]
How beautiful you are, my friend,
how beautiful! your eyes are doves!

[Woman]
How beautiful you are, my lover—
handsome indeed!
Verdant indeed is our couch;
the beams of our house are cedars,
our rafters, cypresses.

I am a flower of Sharon,
a lily of the valleys.

[Man]
Like a lily among thorns,
so is my friend among women.

[Woman]
Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
so is my lover among men.
In his shadow I delight to sit,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banquet hall
and his glance at me signaled love.

Strengthen me with raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples,
for I am sick with love.

His left hand is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.

I adjure you, Daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles and the does of the field,
Do not awaken, or stir up love
until it is ready.
[End]

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[Woman] Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine, better than the fragrance of your perfumes. Your name is a flowing perfume— therefore young women love you. Draw me after you! Let us run! The king has brought me to his bed chambers. Let us exult and rejoice in you; let us celebrate your love: it is beyond wine! Rightly do they love you! I am black and beautiful, Daughters of Jerusalem— Like the tents of Qedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am so black, because the sun has burned me. The sons of my mother were angry with me; they charged me with the care of the vineyards: my own vineyard I did not take care of. Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you shepherd, where you give rest at midday. Why should I be like one wandering after the flocks of your companions? [Man] If you do not know, most beautiful among women, Follow the tracks of the flock and pasture your lambs near the shepherds’ tents. To a mare among Pharaoh’s chariotry I compare you, my friend: Your cheeks lovely in pendants, your neck in jewels. We will make pendants of gold for you, and ornaments of silver. [Woman] While the king was upon his couch, my spikenard gave forth its fragrance. My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh; between my breasts he lies. My lover is to me a cluster of henna from the vineyards of En-gedi. [Man] How beautiful you are, my friend, how beautiful! your eyes are doves! [Woman] How beautiful you are, my lover— handsome indeed! Verdant indeed is our couch; the beams of our house are cedars, our rafters, cypresses. I am a flower of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. [Man] Like a lily among thorns, so is my friend among women. [Woman] Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my lover among men. In his shadow I delight to sit, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banquet hall and his glance at me signaled love. Strengthen me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love. His left hand is under my head and his right arm embraces me. I adjure you, Daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the field, Do not awaken, or stir up love until it is ready. [End]

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