I remember, Caesarion, that when I was a little girl, my father, Ptolemy XIII, whom they called the flute player, was strict. He always said that, according to Egyptian tradition, the Pharaoh and his family should follow the rule that it was not proper for the members of the royal family to play the harp. This rule was in place because the harp was an instrument played by peasants to salute and welcome the first family of Egypt.
My mother did not believe in this silly rule but she could not tell him. She did not want my life to be like hers so she composed a song to tell me this indirectly. She had composed it while playing the harp that she hid from my father. She told me this in confidence and I promised that, one day, I would take up the harp and play it like her.
After my mother died, I forgot her wish because she was no longer around to sing to me. As my father kept an eye on me, he would have been harsh with me if I had not followed tradition.
A long time afterwards, I married my brother Ptolemy XIV, whose nickname was Dionysus. So, once again, I did not really have any power. I resented Ptolemy and his laws a great deal so I revolted.
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I remember, Caesarion, that when I was a little girl, my father, Ptolemy XIII, whom they called the flute player, was strict. He always said that, according to Egyptian tradition, the Pharaoh and his family should follow the rule that it was not proper for the members of the royal family to play the harp. This rule was in place because the harp was an instrument played by peasants to salute and welcome the first family of Egypt.
My mother did not believe in this silly rule but she could not tell him. She did not want my life to be like hers so she composed a song to tell me this indirectly. She had composed it while playing the harp that she hid from my father. She told me this in confidence and I promised that, one day, I would take up the harp and play it like her.
After my mother died, I forgot her wish because she was no longer around to sing to me. As my father kept an eye on me, he would have been harsh with me if I had not followed tradition.
A long time afterwards, I married my brother Ptolemy XIV, whose nickname was Dionysus. So, once again, I did not really have any power. I resented Ptolemy and his laws a great deal so I revolted.
After three years of unhappiness, I left Alexandria for the Egyptian provinces. It was then that I remembered my mother’s words. I assembled an army to fight against the injustice of laws and tradition. It was then that I fell in love with a warrior, your father Julius Caesar. Together we expelled Ptolemy from Alexandria and conquered Egypt. Your father left for Rome, for political reasons, and I followed him, shortly after. I carried with me my mother’s wish, her moving song and magnificent harp that captivates everyone who hears it with its harmonious melody.
And now I sing it to you so that you will remember your grandmother who was my collaborator and inspiration in my crusade for peace in my country. Here is the song:
Always keep your strength and courage Fight for justice When you lose your will Think of good things To divert and amuse you Play the harp It will inspire you Your body will welcome its vibrations They will banish worry You will be able to make good, fair and loyal decisions.
Sebastien Erard Workshop, London, England
St. Boniface Museum
c. 1803
wood and raised design in gilded and painted plaster, brass pedals, steel and gut strings
H: 171 cm, Wi: 83 cm (console), 40 cm (base)
© St. Boniface Museum
Canadian Heritage Information Network
Canadian Heritage Information Network, Centre des recherches et études andalouses, Centre des musiques arabes et méditerranéennes Ennejma Ezzahra, Musée de la musique, Laboratoire de recherche des musiques du monde, Musée acadien de l'Université de Moncton, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Musée d'art et d'archéologie de l'Université d'Antananarivo, Musée ethnographique Alexandre Sènou Adande, Musée national du Mali, St. Boniface Museum, Lycée de langues étrangères Alexandre Dumas, Museum of the Romanian Peasant
© 1999, CHIN. All Rights Reserved.
The learner will: