Okay I made an account just to comment on the song.
I think there is something really missing without the music, though the poem is fantastic on its own. I agree that it's about their love, but the way the music is written is kind of strange. The first two verses have a sort of "matter of fact" feeling to them, for the most part, but also a lot of really beautiful parts (like the "waves... and clouds...."). I think this is indicative of the idea that love is both commonplace and beautiful.
The third verse is what really gives me chills. The lyrics sound sad on their own, but when you listen to the music it becomes apparent that it isn't a sad verse. If anything, its solemn and beautiful. Whitacre is a genius because the go-to emotion would be "oh look they died how sad," but that's not what he went for; he went for "look at how beautiful it was that they loved," and oh my gosh he pulls it off so well.
Also, my personal take on the final verse without words is that it's them in the afterlife, but that might be too superficial. It could also show that their love lives on even after their death.
Okay I made an account just to comment on the song.
I think there is something really missing without the music, though the poem is fantastic on its own. I agree that it's about their love, but the way the music is written is kind of strange. The first two verses have a sort of "matter of fact" feeling to them, for the most part, but also a lot of really beautiful parts (like the "waves... and clouds...."). I think this is indicative of the idea that love is both commonplace and beautiful.
The third verse is what really gives me chills. The lyrics sound sad on their own, but when you listen to the music it becomes apparent that it isn't a sad verse. If anything, its solemn and beautiful. Whitacre is a genius because the go-to emotion would be "oh look they died how sad," but that's not what he went for; he went for "look at how beautiful it was that they loved," and oh my gosh he pulls it off so well.
Also, my personal take on the final verse without words is that it's them in the afterlife, but that might be too superficial. It could also show that their love lives on even after their death.
My goodness I love this song.