Thursday, March 27, 2014

the seafarer | john martyn's "sweet little mystery"

*Warning: Potential Spolier Alert* If you haven't seen THE SEAFARER yet, we suggest revisiting this post after having seen the show!

Many audience members have been curious as to the lyrics of the song that plays at the end of THE SEAFARER. The song is John Martyn's "Sweet Little Mystery" and playwright Conor McPherson specifically wrote that this is the song that should end the play. You can watch a video of the song here:



Actor John Emmet Tracy (Sharky) had this to say about what the song means to him:


"Sweet Little Mystery was specifically requested by the playwright for the end of the play.  I spent a lot of time listening to the song during the rehearsal weeks and I continue to listen to it every day now that we are performing the play.  Anthony (director) and I discussed the song and the possibilities for its significance to my character Sharky.  I believe that it changed significance for Sharky after the recent end of an important relationship. The song certainly had a special place in the "soundtrack" to the relationship, but has taken on a lyrical significance that probably hadn't been clear to Sharky until after the end of the relationship.

The song has really sunk in with the cast; its not uncommon to hear somebody singing, humming or whistling it in the greenroom.  It isn't one the fades quickly from memory, and perhaps that is part of why Conor McPherson chose it to end the play..."

And here are the accompanying lyrics for a closer look:

Sweet Little Mystery - by John Martyn

Just that sweet little mystery that breaks my heart
Just that sweet little mystery makes me cry
O that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me try.

My friends all tell me that I look so sad
They don't need to ask me why
They know the reason that I feel so bad
Since the night you said goodbye
It's not the letters that you just don't write
It's not the arms of some new friend
It's not the crying in the dead of the night
That keeps me hanging on, waiting for the end.

Just that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
Just that sweet little mystery makes me cry
Oh that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me try.

I watch the street, I watch the radio
I don't need to turn it on
Another friend comes by and tries to say hello
Another weekend's almost gone
It's not the letters that you just don't write
It's not the arms of some new friend
It's not the crying in the depth of the night
That keeps me hanging on, just waiting for the end.
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/john-martyn-sweet-little-mystery-lyrics.html ]
It's that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me cry
Oh that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me try.

The time is flying fast, and I don't care
To spend another night alone
I want to see you, but I don't know where
Till then I'm walking on my own
It's not the letters that you just don't write
It's not the arms of some new friend
It's not the crying in the depth of the night
That keeps me hanging on, just waiting for the end.

It's that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me cry
Oh that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me try.

That sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me cry
Oh that sweet little mystery that's in your heart
It's just that sweet little mystery that makes me try.

Sweet mystery, sweet mystery
Sweet mystery, sweet mystery, sweet mystery
Sweet mystery, sweet mystery, sweet mystery

Sweet mystery, sweet mystery, sweet mystery.

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