For my HSC, I had to study Othello. I have to say, I somewhat hated it, although I was slowly learning to enjoy Shakespeare, even if I did not really understand the language.
The we studied Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. And I thought that was pretty cool. I mean, here's a play that has been around for centuries, and someone has come up with a completely out there spin-off. This was no Joanie Loves Chachi.
But what really convinced me that Shakespeare was OK, was this song by Paul Kelly. Here he sings from Othello's perspective, and covers his entire gamut of emotions in a three minute song. The betrayal by Iago, the loss at his own hands of his true love, the regret, the blind rage, etc.
Brilliance! Sheer brilliance.
Its the eleventh song on Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls' album Under the Sun released in 1987 by Mushroom Records. It is probably one of his least known songs, and one of his most touching ballads.
Desdemona
Once I had a love so rare
Beauty lived inside the lair
Desdemona straight and true
Desdemona gold and blue
Well I lost my Desdemona
With my own hands I did destroy her
Yes I lost my Desdemona
I fell for lies, I fell for lies
Poison in my ear at night
Took away my appetite
I couldn't hold on to the pain
Something broke inside my brain
Well I lost my Desdemona
With my own hands I did dethrone her
Yes I lost my Desdemona
I fell for lies, I fell for lies
Never has a man been born
Who can take a woman's scorn
Nor tasted a more bitter wine
Than the brewing of his mind
Well I lost my Desdemona
With my own hands I did destroy her
Yes I lost my Desdemona
I fell for lies, I fell for lies
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