Perhaps Frost's poem has endured the ages because in its simplicity, it also opens up possibilities to various interpretations: an innocent yearning for friendship; a philosophical allegory about death and the human condition; darker suggestions of a obsessed admirer or worse, a stalker?
The interpretation for this song is definitely less dark; more innocent, and a sense of duty before self.
Minwen discovered Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". She sent it along to Ivan, who happened to have an instrument composition drafted before Minwen's text. He wondered if it was possible to work the poem into the arrangement. It did. Frost's poem was used entirely, with the last four lines used as the words for the chorus.
The cover art for this track was adapted from an original Nagomi artwork, done traditional-medium style, by Chiew Hia (a friend of Minwen). Blend Modes was applied to the scanned hardcopy to create a darker tone, to fit Frost's "lovely, dark deep woods" description. Apparently it was Chiew Hia's first attempt at a Nagomi art piece. Thanks for being part of this creative collaboration.
As with all the songs on this site, this has been a 'remote creative collaboration' with all the people involved working only from their respective homes. Safe Distancing before it was even a requirement :)
Hope you enjoy this track!
lyrics
[Adapted from Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost]
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
Chorus
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
credits
released June 6, 2021
Vocals: Minwen
Composition, Instrumentation, Mixing, Mastering: Ivan
Cover Art: Tan Chiew Hia
Words: Robert Frost (1923, entered Public Domain on 1 Jan 2019)
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