Performance Guide

Anyone trying to perform the piece must attend to one thing above all: expression of emotion. This song is very much about providing a progression from sadness to hopefulness, and every performance choice must be made with that intention in mind. For some more specific points along those lines:

• If using the original instrumentation, then much of this will be achieved on its own, but there must be a clear distinction between the sections in terms of feel. The choruses are brighter and stronger than the verses, but the verses should have a clear progression into brighter and stronger realms as the song goes on.
• The bridge should start soft and grow to be loud and more intense, as the bridge reflects the progression of the entire piece within itself, both musically and textually.
• The change to the D major chords in the choruses should be emphasized.
• The vocal should never be heavy; it should float above the accompaniment.
• Special care should be taken to sing the exact lyrics. Every word (even small conjunctions and articles) seems to have been carefully chosen to produce the right meaning.
• While there should not be too little action, i.e. no movement whatsoever, there should not be large amounts of motion, so as to not distract from the lyrics, which are of prime importance.
• Special attention should be given to the tempo. If the piece speeds up or slows down at all, it could ruin the musical affect of the piece.

This is, of course, not to say that different interpretations are impossible, but these are some ideas that will help convey the emotion behind the text more effectively.