The New York Songwriters Circle

2008 Songwriting Contest

The Finalists

Third place winner:

John Schmitt

Ophelia

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More about John

Ophelia

John Schmitt’s honest approach to writing and performing music is a direct reflection of his experience growing up in Buffalo, NY and his deep connection to the people that live there.

“It’s a place that’s trying to fit into the new world. It cherishes little things, small advances, and emphasizes family… it works hard, and faces social and political adversity as they try to thrive.”

A self-taught musician, John began writing music and learning to play his favorite songs by ear at age 16. One year later, John began performing in local coffee shops and open mics. After several years of recording and performing with various bands, John pursued a solo career in music, releasing The Musical EP and now his first full length CD, John Schmitt.

CHORUS:
Hamlet to Ophelia,
"Adieu, love, adieu"
Echoes through millenia
"Adieu, love, adieu"

And we play these plays
And we say these parts
While we dance through all
These issues in the dark
Feigning madness
From the start
While we dance through all
These issues in the dark

CHORUS

I just can't take the stage
And say these parts
While we dance through all
These issues in the dark
Feigning madness
From the start
As we dance through all
These issues in the dark

'Cause Kings will kill Kings
And marry their Queens
But love always seems
To be lost
on
me.

And so to my Ophelia,
Adieu, love, adieu.
It echoes through my heart and lungs
Adieu, love, adieu.

Adieu, love,
adieu love, love, love, love, love, love (repeat)

So Ophelia stepped out into the Great Divide
And decided she'd try to walk on water
'Cause Kings will kill Kings
And marry their Queens
But love always seems
To be lost on me
Oh, you're lost on me.

Words and Music by John M. Schmitt
(c) 2008 John M. Schmitt (ASCAP)