I Have Wandered Alone

"I Have Wandered Alone" is the national anthem of Quintessence of Dust. It was formerly the national anthem of the Quodite colonial holdings, who have since abandoned it as a relic of their imperialist past. A popular revolutionary hymn, it was officially adopted as national anthem in 1870; in line with the Quintessential Constitution, it was approved by a referendum. Although there is an official version numerous alternatives exist, and many units of the Quintessential Defence Forces have songs adapting and extending the song.

History

The song started life in revolutionary circles during the latter years of the Kartoven Empire: because of this, its origins are extremely certain, and have been further obscured by romanticising and mythologising. There have been numerous claims to have discovered the original author(s), but none has ever been verified. In all probability, the tune originates from considerably earlier anyway, as several tunes from the sixteenth and seventeenth century closely resemble it. More notably, the subversive opera Reinhardt (1780) by Weider Godassen features a character expressing revolutionary sentiments to an almost identical tune: it is quite possible that the author was influenced by hearing this.

Several early versions exist, but it is unclear that all were song to the same tune. The first that definitely combines the modern tune with words similar (though not wholly identical) to the modern version dates from 1835; frustratingly, it is simply credited to "Pierre Arnhus", a well-known revolutionary pseudonym. The major theories as to the identity of the author of the words, each widely contested, are:

• Brenold Gurd - court composer to the Kartovens. Although Gurd's private diary details his growing republican inclinations and makes note of several revolutionary songs he secretly composed and distributed, it equally never mentions any fitting the description of "I Have Wandered Alone".
• Picanthas Yunta - a revolutionary leader, Yunta was the author of several volumes of florid poetry. His style bears little resemblance to that employed in the hymn, however, and again, his authorship is unsupported by contemporary references.
• Thomas Randolph - a musician who died supporting the April Skies Revolution, Randolph did compose several songs used as revolutionary anthems. However, Randolph was prominent in the neo-pagan scene of the time: a spiritualist who found the radical atheism of some of his associates, he is unlikely to have composed such a strikingly secularist song.
• Art Patcher - unknown at the time, Patcher died in poverty having expressed no obvious support for the republican cause. Later, though, his novel Special Ways was discovered and heralded as a classic of revolutionary literature. He did pen a few poems, but is not thought to have had any particular musical talent.

Today, the tune is simply attributed as "traditional"; given it is now in the public domain, the descendents of its actual author would not stand to make any financial gain anyway.

It is popularly thought that the song was used as a secret code by revolutionaries, but in fact it was widely known and would have been hopeless as a means of covert signalling; indeed, an ordinance of the city of Pelstadt made singing assorted "treasonous" songs, one of which was "I Have Wandered Alone", punishable by public flogging. By 1840 it was being used in more or less exactly in its present form, though additional verses were common.

Following the revolution, the opera Liberty! was written by Eva Tellman: it featured "I Have Wandered Alone" as the finale piece. At performances, it is common for the audience to stand and sing along at this point.

Although the tune is very simplistic, several notable composers devised variations on it, most presumably more impressed with its republican associations than its musical quality.

Use

The song is sung or played at state occasions; it is also featured both officially and unofficially at many sporting events.

Although formerly the anthems of Quodite colonies, it has since been discarded, despite having no strong imperialist tone. It is not widely known outside Quintessence of Dust, but there have been instances of it being used by revolutionary or republican movements.

Performance

The official version is the one most commonly used, though as mentioned, numerous others exist. When played at state functions it is generally played at a quicker tempo than when sung by popular audiences, though it is rarely spritely and foreign diplomats have been known to let slip the odd remark about "that damnable dirge". It is usually played by wind instruments, though there are arrangements for strings and other instruments.

When played on state radio or television channels, the same recording is generally used, of the Quintessential Symphony Orchestra. Despite making made in 1962, the recording is of excellent quality and features a wide range of instruments, making it more involving for children listening. No standard choral version exists.

Covers

Recordings of the piece have sold relatively well, with a number of artists recording it. Most famous is a rock version by the guitarist Jens Smith, from 1972, in which he plays the entire anthem in under a minute - considerably faster than normal. Drenched in feedback and featuring constant improvisation, it is widely regarded as a masterpiece of musicianship. Contrary to some rumours, it has no overtly anti-patriotic tone: Smith said he simply liked the tune and wanted to record his own version.

Lyrics

Conventionally three verses are sung, though it has been increasingly common for the third to be omitted in the interests of brevity. No official extra verses exist.

1

Twirls and dances bring no comfort,

And everything around me is a lie.

There's no chance that I can hide in safety,

Come, won't you help me,

For I have wandered alone too long.

2

Cast aside all those false hopes,

Of redemption stepping down from the sky.

The future's in our hands and we must take it,

Come, help me make it,

For I have wandered alone too long.

3

Freedom's the thing I hold precious,

But it's too much for me on my own.

I won't rest until everyone wakes up free,

Come, stand beside me,

For I have wandered alone too long.