Imperial Radch Pop Songs: When the Song Ceased to be Sung
In the distant past, I recall,
That song used to bring me joy
And the knowledge that, if that was to be my assignment
I would create great songs in my turn
And bring happiness to the citizens
But in the cold season, I went visiting my neighbours
To bring them bad tidings which froze my heart with grief
I cannot recall if I wept to see
Her client with head shaved in mourning
But it filled me with a deep revelation
When the song ceased to be sung
Farewell, most beloved citizen of the Radch
I took a shuttle to collect supplies, but the tea had failed to grow
The leaders the houses raise a toast of arrack
And sing of the ruin of all things
Have you rewritten the rules of courtship,
And do you trust in the will of Amaat
As taught by the temple?
Do you believe that music
Has its own spiritual power
And can cause affection to blossom between citizens?
I am aware that you seek her clientage.
I witnessed you meeting alone
You seemed both carefree
As the rhythmic music played
I was a young citizen of a lesser house
With nothing to offer but my affection
And I knew that the cast would not be in my favour
When the song ceased to be sung
I took up the refrain:
Farewell, most beloved citizen of the Radch
I took a shuttle to collect supplies, but the tea had failed to grow
The leaders the houses raise a toast of arrack
And sing of the ruin of all things
I encountered a citizen offering sorrowful songs
I asked from her glad tidings
But she was unable to offer me what I sought
I asked the station to bring me comfort
As I had heard the song played in my youth
But all records of the song were lost
And on the concourse, citizens made temple offerings
Signed contracts, drank tea and went about their business
But no person spoke a word
The station made no announcements
And the most esteemed citizens of the Radch -
Amaat herself, and the Four Emanations
Had boarded a shuttle for a distant district
When the song ceased to be sung
And they repeated the refrain:
Farewell, most beloved citizen of the Radch
I took a shuttle to collect supplies, but the tea had failed to grow
The leaders the houses raise a toast of arrack
And sing of the ruin of all things
Farewell, most beloved citizen of the Radch
I took a shuttle to collect supplies, but the tea had failed to grow
The leaders the houses raise a toast of arrack
And sing of the ruin of all things
