Composer’s Foreword
I enjoyed very much working on composing the tune and lyrics (below) for this, my first ever and somewhat satirical composition. The title of this composition represents Polyphemus’ name, which can be translated as "abounding in songs and legends." This composition is scored for two violins, viola, and male voice. The reason for this is that I hope to record this composition with three of my siblings, of which two play violín and one plays viola. The original key of F minor sets the tone for the story of unlucky Odysseus as he tries to make his long way home from the Trojan War. He is met by the Cyclops Polyphemus and taken prisoner. The Cyclops is shown as the antagonist, the monster who doesn’t fear the gods and is also a cannibal. The key changes into A minor and then A major show the changes of the story. While in A minor, Odysseus blinds the Cyclops, and then in A major, Odysseus and his men escape from the giant’s cave. I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed composing it.

Isaac Linton
West Chester, PA
December 2013

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Trapped in a cave on a lonely isle


On his way home from the Trojan War

Odysseus strove to stay alive
With his men he braved the Cyclops,

Unfriendly host who ate his men
Polyphemus angered the gods by his misdeed

When he treated his royal guest
To a show of cannibal­ness


Soon he would be sorry
He had been so thoughtless
Trapped in the cave of the savage giant

Odysseus didn’t know what to do
he thought, decided, then blinded his foe
Then with his men Odysseus escaped

From the cave of the one eyed monster

And that’s the Legend of the Cyclops