Cover art for The Challenge by Jorge Rivera-Herrans

The Challenge

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The Challenge Lyrics

[PENELOPE]
I'm supposed to choose a suitor to wear the crown
I said I would choose as soon as I weave this shroud
They don't know
That every night
I unthread all the work I've done

Cause I'd rather lie
Than allow them to think they've won
Though I never thought I would resort to this
Just know I'll be here

Though I don't know how much longer I'll last
Since we saw that storm
And though it was so close to our kingdom
It was far from the norm

Unless
Oh, could it be some kind of sign
That my world is all about to change?
Is it finally time for the challenge I arranged?
Though I never thought that it would come to this
Just know I'll be here buying you time

[THE SUITORS]
Time is fleeting, it's running out
Time to be the man of the house
(Penelope)
[PENELOPE]
Oh! Buying you time

[THE SUITORS]
Time is fleeting, it's running out
Time to be the man of the house
(Penelope)

[PENELOPE]
Whoever can string my husband's old bow
And shoot through 12 axes cleanly
Will be the new king, sit down at the throne
And rule with me as their queen

Let the arrow fly
Once you know that your aim is true
Cause I'd rather die
Than grow old without the best of you

Though I never thought that these would be the lengths we'd go for love
I would not have it any other way

And though I never thought that it would end like this
Just know, I'll be here
Waiting, waiting

[SUITORS]
Penelope
[PENELOPE]
Waiting, waiting

[SUITORS]
Penelope

[PENELOPE]
Waiting, waiting
Oh

About

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Genius Annotation

Sung by Odysseus' wife, Queen Penelope, who after over 20 years still hasn’t accepted another suitor despite the harassment and the public pressure she’s put through.

This song is a turning point in which she finally decides on a suitor through an intensely difficult challenge. The challenge is also another way of stalling as she still hopes that Odysseus returns.

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