The Soldier's Tale

The Soldier's Tale is an album by Roger Waters, released in 2018. A haunting blend of theatrical storytelling and orchestral arrangements that explores the trauma of war. The album is notable for its unique adaptation of Igor Stravinsky's 'L'Histoire du Soldat', blending Waters’ narrative style with classical elements. It received attention for its critical examination of war and human suffering, reinforcing Waters' status as a politically charged artist in modern music. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

• 1 The Soldier’s March 1:47
• 2 Slogging homeword… 2:20
• 3 Airs by a Stream 2:35
• 4 As you can hear… 7:41
• 5 The Soldier’s March (reprise) 1:48
• 6 Eventually, Joseph reaches his home village… 2:56
• 7 Pastorale 2:35
• 8 The Soldier, disconsolate… Standout 4:13
• 9 Pastorale (reprise) 0:37
• 10 The Soldier, slowly coming back to himself… 2:48
• 11 Airs by a Stream (reprise): To stretch out on the grass… 0:47
• 12 Hey Satan, you bastard… Standout 5:33
• 13 Airs by a Stream (2nd reprise) 0:46
• 14 Naught to be gained here… 0:06
• 15 The Soldier’s March (2nd reprise): Down a hot and dusty track… 0:50
• 16 He doesn’t even know himself… 0:52
• 17 The Soldier’s March (3rd reprise): Will he take the road to home… 0:28
• 18 He doesn’t have a home anymore… 3:56
• 19 The Royal March 2:38
• 20 So, all was arranged… 0:58
• 21 Later that night… 8:39
• 22 The Little Concert: Light floods the eastern sky… 2:59
• 23 The Soldier, with a confident air… 0:46
• 24 Three Dances: Tango (part 1) 1:18
• 25 Three Dances: Tango (part 2) 1:01
• 26 Three Dances: Waltz & Ragtime 4:02
• 27 So, first a Tango… 0:40
• 28 The Devil’s Dance 1:20
• 29 The Devil, confused… 0:27
• 30 The Little Chorale 0:42
• 31 The Devil recovers some of his wits… 0:13
• 32 The Devil’s Song: Alright! You’ll be safe at home… 0:39
• 33 Hm, a fair warning… 0:13
• 34 Grand Chorale (part 1) 0:29
• 35 Spring, summer, autumn… 0:16
• 36 Grand Chorale (part 2) 0:30
• 37 Steady now… 0:11
• 38 Grand Chorale (part 3) 0:27
• 39 Steady, just smell the flowers… 0:13
• 40 Grand Chorale (part 4) 0:52
• 41 Now I have everything… 0:34
• 42 Grand Chorale (part 5) 0:55
• 43 The Princess, all excited… 1:21
• 44 Grand Chorale (part 6) 0:26
• 45 And so, off they go… 1:13
• 46 Triumphant March of the Devil Standout 2:24

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What to play next

Listen next

Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale

2018

Go back to

Is This the Life We Really Want?

2017