I may have been abandoned by Orpheus but he left me with a love so great that it lived in my heart and in my mind forever.
When I came across the song Orpheus by Sara Baraeilles, I was so moved by the lyrics that I went on to look further for Orpheus and the legend behind it. The story I fell upon was as intense and deep as the song. As part of the blog I want to share this story from Greek mythology because I so do love all the hidden meanings behind it.
Here’s Orpheus
Orpheus, a legendary musician in Greek mythology, falls in love with Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. Shortly after their wedding, Eurydice dies tragically from a snake bite. Stricken with grief. Orpheus ventures into the underworld to retrieve her, using the enchanting music of his lyre to charm Hades and Persephone. They agree to let Eurydice return to the living world on one condition. Orpheus must not look back at her until they both reach the surface. Overcome by doubt and fear, Orpheus looks back at the last moment, and Eurydice is lost to him forever.
Orpheus to me
Orpheus to me meant relationships that last long after you may have lost the person either physically or spiritually. It’s when people mean so much to you that you stay loyal to their love and are willing to sacrifice too, along the way. It also means trusting the person, even though far away, that they’d never let you go. That in your mind and heart, they stay steadfast and connected even if not present. I’ve seen loss, losing people that I’ve felt dear to me. The uncanny thing is that they still hold importance in my life. That they still lead me like Orpheus with his lyre. I love this story; it’s both heartbreaking and uplifting of the kind of love there can be. Also, the grief that sometimes circumstances don’t let it survive, but love lives on just the same.
“Orpheus” by Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles’ song “Orpheus,” from her album Amidst the Chaos, was inspired by the myth as a metaphor for trust and connection during challenging times. The lyrics encourage staying present and grounded, much like Orpheus had to remain steadfast to save Eurydice. Sara wrote it to offer comfort and hope, using the myth as a poetic lens to explore themes of loss, love, and perseverance.
I love losing myself into this song and Sara Bareilles brings such intensity and drama into it with her deep rendition of it. I’m glad I found this song and the beautiful legend behind it.
Don’t you turn like Orpheus
Just stay here
Hold me in the dark and
when the day appears
We’ll say
We did not give up on love today
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