It has already been nearly two years since Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral burned down. Partially destroyed, and saved by brave firefighters, the building is still standing, and is still being restored. I perfectly remember that day, watching the monument burn all night long on the news channels, and hoping there will be something left. It was on April 15, 2019 and I think I will never forget that date. As a Frenchman, it was experienced as an ordeal in our country. The monument is emblematic and was often represented all around the world. A bit like our second Eiffel Tower, if I can say so. Dear reader, I'm not able to know where each one of you lives, but imagine, for a second, that your country's most famous monument is disappearing overnight. I can tell you that it's heartbreaking. Ben Greenberg tried to capture this moment, imagining himself as the Hunchback of Notre-Dame, and wrote down what he might have said that night to Esmeralda. What a great idea. No one had ever thought of this point of view. Ben's creative genius will always amaze me. Even though the text is quite short, it is full of poetry and fantastic images. And we project ourselves very easily on the drama scene. What could be more moving than one of your favorite artists winking at your country? And above all, to one of its most famous symbols. As usual, Ben brings us all his restraint, his humility, and his talent for interpretation. The vocals are even calmer than usual with him, and this soft universe definitely suits him very well. I am really delighted that my favorite Californian has finally found his self-confidence, and that today, he lets us enjoy, without shame, the full extent of his creativity. This is the sixth time that we hear Ben Greenberg at Indie Music Center. Thanks Mister Greenberg. This is now your home.

Included in our "Indie Folk" playlist, and of course, you will now hear this amazing track on the Indie Music Radio.

Ben Greenberg's point of view :

"Our Lady" is a confrontation with a deep nihilism that used to rule my mind, explored through the character of Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I was inspired to write the song after seeing news of the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris last year. I had visited the cathedral in 2018, and its gothic beauty left an impression on me. The vivid images of the fire, and the emotional public response to the event, captured my imagination. I found myself thinking of Hugo's fabled Hunchback, Quasimodo - what would he feel in his heart if he saw the great Notre-Dame de Paris, his home, his sanctuary, burning like that? The answer came as a deep and complex sadness that is difficult to put into words and still brings a lump to my throat.

In Hugo's original novel, Quasimodo feels unrequited love for the dancer Esmeralda, and he tries to protect her after she is framed for murder. But he is unable to save her; he watches helplessly from the cathedral as she is put to death in the square below. Later, consumed with grief, he finds her grave and lies down next to her, eventually dying beside her. It is this original version of the Hunchback (not the sugar-coated Disney version) whose ghost I imagined witnessing the fire in the present day - this Hunchback who knows the deep and painful loss of seeing someone he loved executed. I imagined him watching as the cathedral burned, helpless to stop the flames just as he was helpless to save Esmeralda. And I imagined him singing, alone there atop the Cathedral roof, to her memory:

"Esmeralda, our world is turning
I tried to save you, but Our Lady's burning
The great cathedral is crumbling down
And fate awaits us, it won't be long now
High above the city, I've laid my claim
On a sanctuary preserved in vain
I'm alone here with the tolling bells
For whom they're ringing, only time will tell
Oh, and even angels die... oh, and I will never know why.
Esmeralda, in hundred years
Who will remember, and who will care?
Did you ever love me? I wish I knew
But our bones are dust now, and they'll be ashes soon..."

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Biography :

Ben Greenberg has been writing and performing music since he took up the guitar at age 13. He has since developed into a seasoned songwriter and musician, and his lyrical content has matured from impressions of teenage angst and fantasy into sincere observations of relationships and personal growth, with an eye towards the consideration of one's place in a complicated world. Originally from Santa Rosa, CA, Ben recently moved to Los Angeles, where he works as a freelance musician and singer. He is thrilled to be sharing his music with new audiences, and he hopes to inspire others as so many musicians and artists have inspired him.

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