Empty Chairs: Illustrated Song For Two Brothers
A few weeks back I had the most amazing theatre experience – I got to see Les Misérables in London’s West End. Apart from having been a theatre animal for as long as I remember (and therefore was happy just to be there), I was touched beyond words by this amazing piece of stage work.
It’s based on Victor Hugo’s unique novel and tells stories of determination, love, sacrifice, kindness, loss, devotion, redemption, death, injustice, idealism… Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
When my tears had dried (I needed quite some tissues, kind readers), I knew which song to choose for my next illustrated song. It’s the moving piece Marius sings after most of his friends have died on the barricades. It’s a song of loss and love, of understanding and disillusionment, but most of all, it is a tribute to those dear to his heart.
This might be the kind of song Sam and/or Dean would sing, if they were to put some of the losses of their lives into words…
Illustrated Song for Two Brothers
Empty Chairs
A few weeks back I had the most amazing theatre experience – I got to see Les Misérables in London’s West End. Apart from having been a theatre animal for as long as I remember (and therefore was happy just to be there), I was touched beyond words by this amazing piece of stage work.
It’s based on Victor Hugo’s unique novel and tells stories of determination, love, sacrifice, kindness, loss, devotion, redemption, death, injustice, idealism… Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
When my tears had dried (I needed quite some tissues, kind readers), I knew which song to choose for my next illustrated song. It’s the moving piece Marius sings after most of his friends have died on the barricades. It’s a song of loss and love, of understanding and disillusionment, but most of all, it is a tribute to those dear to his heart.
This might be the kind of song Sam and/or Dean would sing, if they were to put some of the losses of their lives into words…
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
From Les Misérables by Boublil & Schönberg, engl Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
There’s a grief that can’t be spoken.
There’s a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about `tomorrow’
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
That I live and you are gone.
There’s a grief that can’t be spoken.
There’s a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
Oh my friends, my friends, don’t ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more…
Les Mis, I love! First CD I ever bought…… And you saw it in London, you lucky sod.
While ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ is my favourite song from the show, ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ is beautiful and so poignant. Jeez, you don’t realise just how many people Sam and Dean have lost in a relatively short space of time until you see them all here. No wonder they’ve issues!
Thanks, Jasminka.
Thanks, EnchantingTim, yes, I do feel like a ‘lucky sod’… it was the most wonderful piece of theatre I could think of. And, well, the inspiration was there right away…
I have to confess, I would have difficulties picking my fave song. Yours is beautiful, too, and I love One Day More, Bring Him Home, On My Own…ah, all of them. But I think, Empty Chairs holds a special place in my heart.
Cheers, Jasminka
Jas, you know how I love this, like I have loved this show for so many years.
Beautiful images for a beautiful song. How many of the lyrics from Les Mis could resonante with the Supernatural story?
Tim, you are right `Do you hear the people sing` is incredible and it is impossible not to be moved as the the whole company march towards you singing this as the giant flag waves, but `Red and Black` just before it will always hold a special place in my heart too, and all this is just the end of the [b]first[/b] act!
This was just perfect, thanks Jas.
Love Ju
awwwh, Julie, I know… It’s so hard to pick the best… And I see that scene – vividly – before my eyes… Enjolras singing Red and Black, and the whole motley crew joining in… sniff…
It’s the kind of music we never grow tired of, and that’s just a wonderful thought.
Love always and thank you, Jas
Wonderful song for wonderful brothers!
How I miss Ellen (I tear up just looking at her picture), Jo, Ash, Andy.
Why do we love these fictional characters so damn much? 😥
Wait!..they’re fictional? You poor misled soul,those two boys,that old drunk,and my beloved fallen angel have given all they have to give and more! And they deserve our FULL support AND OUR BELIEF in them! So CARRY ON my SPN HEROES!! CARRY ON!!
Thank you, Bevie! What can I say… I miss them, too!
I guess we love them so much because they are so well depicted and acted… and, most of all, they are endearing…
Sniff, Jas
Beautifully done…BRAVO!!!!
Glad you liked this, journi! 🙂
Great piece of work, Jasminka. I was lucky enough to see Les Mis in London as well, and I’m with you. I loved every minute of it. This song fits so well, but I have to admit, “Bring him home” is the one that gets me sobbing.
Great work.
In particular when Alfie Boe sings it… He was my first Valjean (I’m sure I’ll see that musical again), and it made me a fan of this gentle, sweet man’s incredible voice.
Thank you, Sylvia37,for your kind comment.
Hi Jasminka
This was both beautiful and sad.:cry:
It’s so heartbreaking seeing just how many people our boys have lost.
The pictures you chose were perfect for the song.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Oh, Karen, I know… somehow (and we can’t really be surprised 😉 ) sadness and beauty are twin brothers in Supernatural…
Thank you, Karen. Sending you hugs, Jas
Simply beautiful, Jas. I love Les Mis, and your choice of image and song is breathtaking and appropriate.
Thanks, Linda! I just can’t get that song out of my head… 🙂 , Jas