Orson's Song is a famous song written by Lirian musician, Cilla Molokai, and sung at the royal court of Neith. It was a dramatic monologue, likely intended to insult the Neithan ruler.
History
Cilla Molokai, one of Lirian's greatest musicians, was invited to perform for the royal court of Neith. Like most musicians in Liri, she was not known for singing, as vocal music was less prized that instrumental music. But the Neithan ruler insisted that a true musician could also sing. Thus, Cilla sang a song about a Niethan nobleman named Orson, trying to woo his Lirian lover. While on the surface, it sounded like mothing more than a love song, Cilla's careful word choice created a sinister undercurrent that implied Orson was a murderer not trying to woo a lover, but trying to lure a victim. To this day, historians debate whether she made up the words on the spot or anticipated the interaction and wrote the song ahead of time.
Reception
Cilla's song was not well met by Neithan leadership, and the performer was briefly imprisoned. With no reason to hold her other than offensive language, she was soon released, and upon her return to Liri, she was welcomed as a hero. This made chastisement from the Lirian government regarding the effect Orson's Song had on international relations difficult. Because Cilla was married to the
Noneanos High Clergy, some historians argue this was a plan by the clergy to deteriorate relations between the two countries as part of a bid for religious power.
Modern Versions
In the decades since Cilla first performed Orson's Song, many performers have since arranged their own versions of the song, usually changing teh lyrics slightly to make it nothing more than a love song. In the last few years, however, the original lyrics have become increasingly popular in Ethion, particularly among supporters of the anti-Pelan movement.
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