One of my favorite songs over the last year is “This Bitter Earth” by Dinah Washington from the 1960’s. I found her while listening to the works by Max Ritcher and is probably one of my most listened to.
This bitter earth.
This bitter earth
Well, what a fruit it bears
What good is love
Mm, mm, that no one shares?
And if my life is like the dust
Ooh, that hides the glow of a rose
What good am I?
Heaven only knows
Lord, this bitter earth
Yes, can be so cold
Today, you're young
Too soon, you're old
But while a voice within me cries
I'm sure someone may answer my call
And this bitter earth
Ooh, may not, oh, be so bitter after all
Songwriter: Clyde Otis, 1960
Singer: Dinah Washington
Score: Max Ritcher, “On the nature of daylight”
Of course, the interesting question that this song raises to me is “Is life answering your call?” or “Is it your responsibility to answer the question about what life is to you?” and the realization that it is indeed the later. Enjoy the songs if you have a few minutes to spare.
Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. — Viktor E. Frankl, MD, PhD
More:
Max Ritcher: On the nature of daylight
Dinah Washington & Max Richter- This bitter earth - On the nature of daylight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Bitter_Earth
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-meaningful-life/201709/answering-lifes-call