I am falling in love with Anais Mitchell all over again. Mitchell is a folk singer and folk music is dear to my heart. In 2010 she released an album entitled Hadestown. Hadestown was a genius idea. It is an album based on the myth of Orpheus but is set in the Depression Era. Mitchell does not act alone here. She is accompanied by profoundly talented musicians which take on characters from the mythology. My favorite artist of all time just so happens to be along for the ride.
Ani Difranco plays Persephone; Greg Brown plays Hades; Justin Vernon of Bon Iver plays Orpheus; Ben Knox Miller of Low Anthem plays Hermes; The Haden Triplets play Fates; and lastly Anais Mitchell plays Eurydice.
Below is directly from the website. A descriptive layout of Hadestown.
Hadestown the Libretto
Hadestown begins in the open air, in a world of poverty. Eurydice asks her lover how he will provide for her in these dark times—Orpheus is sure that the world will provide {Wedding Song}. Orpheus sings, and his singing draws a crowd {Epic Part One}. An old train depot, and everyone’s talking about Hadestown, the walled city under the ground {Way Down Hadestown }. There’s Hermes, the hobo guide and messenger; Persephone, in transit, suitcases in tow; Eurydice, who is more than curious aboutHadestown ; and Orpheus, who wants no part. When Hades calls, Eurydice receives him {Hey, Little Songbird}. He seduces her: she should leave Orpheus and join him in the wealth and security of his underworld. Eurydice succumbs {Gone, I’m Gone}—was she pushed, or did she jump? The Fates provide an explanation {When the Chips Are Down}. Orpheus is determined to follow Eurydice, and Hermes gives directions {Wait For Me}. Meanwhile, in Hadestown, Hades indoctrinates his worker-citizens {Why We Build the Wall}. But when he turns his back, Persephone presents another side of the underworld, in a speakeasy where she plies her contraband and takes an interest in the newly arrived Orpheus {Our Lady of the Underground}. Eurydice, unaware that her lover is near, laments her decision {Flowers}. Orpheus moves toward her, but is intercepted by the Fates. The rules are the rules—there’s no going back for Eurydice—it’s better not to struggle {Nothing Changes}. Orpheus challenges the Fates {If It’s True}. A fight scene: Orpheus and the speakeasy are exposed {Papers}. In the royal bedroom, Persephone appeals to her husband on Orpheus’ behalf {How Long?}. Orpheus sings again, and this time, Hades hears him {Epic Part Two}. An uprising begins, inHadestown and in the heart of the king {Lover’s Desire}. Hades comes up with a plan: Orpheus can have Eurydice back if he can walk out of the underworld a few paces ahead of her and not turn around to make sure she’s there {His Kiss, The Riot}. Orpheus and Eurydice begin their ascent {Doubt Comes In}. Later, Eurydice and Persephone sing a reverse elegy for Orpheus {I Raise My Cup To Him}.
Now, let's take a trip to Hadestown shall we? Below are just two live numbers from the album. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy. You can do so, here.
"WHY WE BUILD THE WALL" - Anaïs Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Martin Carthy, Ben Knox Miller, Iain Morrison,, Wallis Bird, Nuala Kennedy, Sharon Lewis, Mary Ann Kennedy, with Michael Chorney and the Hadestown Orchestra... performing Hadestown at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow on 21 January 2010, as part of the Celtic Connections festival. They were joined on stage for this finale by Joy Kills Sorrow.
HADES
Why do we build the wall?
My children, my children
Why do we build the wall?
CERBERUS
Why do we build the wall?
We build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
HADES
How does the wall keep us free?
My children, my children
How does the wall keep us free?
CERBERUS
How does the wall keep us free?
The wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
HADES
Who do we call the enemy?
My children, my children
Who do we call the enemy?
CERBERUS
Who do we call the enemy?
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
HADES
Because we have and they have not!
My children, my children
Because they want what we have got!
CERBERUS
Because we have and they have not!
Because they want what we have got!
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
HADES
What do we have that they should want?
My children, my children
What do we have that they should want?
CERBERUS
What do we have that they should want?
We have a wall to work upon!
We have work and they have none
And our work is never done
My children, my children
And the war is never won
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
We build the wall to keep us free
"WAY DOWN HADESTOWN" - Anaïs Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Martin Carthy, Ben Knox Miller, Iain Morrison,, Wallis Bird, Nuala Kennedy, Sharon Lewis, Mary Ann Kennedy, with Michael Chorney and the Hadestown Orchestra... performing Hadestown at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow on 21 January 2010, as part of the Celtic Connections festival. They were joined on stage for this finale by Joy Kills Sorrow.
HERMES
Follow that dollar for a long way down
Far away from the poorhouse door
Either get to hell or to Hadestown
Ain’t no difference anymore
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
Hound dog howl and the whistle blow
Train comes a-rollin’ clickety-clack
Nobody knows where that old train goes
Those who go they don’t come back
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
PERSEPHONE
Winter’s nigh and summer’s o’er
I hear that high and lonesome sound
Of my husband coming for
To bring me home to Hadestown
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
EURYDICE
Everybody dresses in clothes so fine
Everybody’s pockets are weighted down
Everybody sipping ambrosia wine
In a goldmine in Hadestown
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
ORPHEUS
Everybody hungry, everybody tired
Everybody slaves by the sweat of his brow
The wage is nothing and the work is hard
It’s a graveyard in Hadestown
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
FATES
Every little penny in the wishing well
Every little nickel on the drum
All them shiny little heads and tails
Where do you think they come from?
They come from way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
ORPHEUS & HERMES
Mister Hades is a mean old boss
With a silver whistle and a golden scale
An eye for an eye!
And he weighs the cost
A lie for a lie!
And your soul for sale
Sold!
To the king on the chromium throne
Thrown!
To the bottom of a sing-sing cell
Where the little wheel squeal and the big wheel groan
And you better forget about your wishing well
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
EURYDICE
Mr. Hades is a mighty king
Must be making some mighty big deals
Seems like he owns everything
Kind of makes you wonder how it feels
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
Way down Hadestown
Way down under the ground
Way down under the ground
Way down under the ground
Take a bow Ms. Mitchell; take a bow.
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