Seikilos Epitaph Revisited by byHeart Share:    Facebook Twitter Email

One of a handful of remaining songs from the ancient Greek civilization, the so-called Seikilos Epitaph appeared as a verse with musical notation on a grave-stone found in Turkey. Above the verse appeared these lines (in translation from the Greek): “I am a portrait in stone. 
I was put here by Seikilos, 
where I remain forever, the symbol of timeless remembrance.” Here is a translation of the song’s lyrics:

1. While you live, 
 dance and sing, 
be joyful: 
For life is short, 
and Time carries away his prize.
2. As long as you live, shine. 
Let nothing grieve you beyond measure. 
For your life is short, 
and time will claim its toll.

I first became acquainted with the song in teaching a survey of music of western civilization. It was on my listening list and students listened to a recording of it along with other pieces of early Greek music by the Atrium Musicae de Madrid whose performances were exquisite. The haunting melody of the Seikilos Epitaph has always been tempting to make use of, so here is my attempt.