Testimony: The Story of Shostakovich is a 1987 British musical drama film directed by Tony Palmer and starring Ben Kingsley, Sherry Baines and Robert Stephens. The film is based on the memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) as dictated in the book Testimony (edited by Solomon Volkov, ISBN 0-87910-021-4) and filmed in Panavision. Some consider the book to be a fabrication.
"A masterpiece...exceptional; an undoubted hit" - The Sunday Times
"The best British film of the year" - Films and Filming
"Exciting and deeply moving piece of cinema" - The Independent
"Testimony is one of those comparatively rare events nowadays – a real piece of cinema. Palmer's prowess as an editor, his knack of juxtaposing image and music – something which has remained his forte since he first caused a stir back in the sixties with Buddhist monks burning to The Beatles – has a field day in Testimony. Most importantly for a movie about a composer, there is always the feeling that Palmer understands the music. For a start, he puts to rest the hoary old cliché that the private Shostakovich is only to be found in his chamber music – try listening to the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Fourteenth symphonies – but he also brings vividly alive musical details (like the composer's use of unison scoring) in colour sequences showing the orchestra, as in the climax of the Fifth ... a truly remarkable film." - Derek Elley 'Films and Filming'
I've had some good days
And I've had some bad days
I know about heartbreak
Didn't think that I can make it
I know how it feels to have money
I know how it feels to be broke
And I can tell ya 'bout lonely
Cause I've been there before
Lord, when I raise my head up to the sky
All of the emptiness was gone
If you believe, you'll see in time
That everything will be all right
It's gonna be all right
Everything will be ok
This is her testimony -- Mary's story
Trouble don't last always
Through my trials and tribulations
I still believe
That god had a greater plan for me
Exceeded all my expectations
But when he gave me what I need
And now I'm set free
Lord, when I raise my head up to the sky
All of the emptiness was gone
If you believe, you'll see in time
That everything will be all right
This is my story
This is my song
(This is my song)
This is the day I celebrate
My trouble's are gone
It's all right
It's ok
He wiped all my tears away
(He wiped them away)
It's all right
It's ok
Trouble don't last always
(Trouble don't last)
It's all right
It's ok
(Said it don't last)
He wiped all my tears away
(He wiped all my)
It's all right
It's ok
Trouble don't last always
(Away), Away
(Away), Away he wiped
(Away)
He cared for me
(Away)
When nobody else did
(Away)
He wiped my tears away
(Away)
(Away), Away
(Away), Away
Look over yonder, Apollo at a distance
You can hear his music if you listen to the wind (blow)
I want to be there - I want to be right there
Bear witness, I'm wailing like the wind
Come bear witness, the half-breed rides again
In these hands, I've held the broken dream
In my soul, I'm howling at the moon
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
Speak the truth, I will testify
I had a revelation like runaway horses
Took to the road with a carnival show (roll on)
Those golden days on Smokey Mountain
Playing guitar in a one man band
Bear witness, I'm howling at the moon
Come bear witness, I've danced among the ruins
In these shoes, I've walked a crooked mile
All my life I been searching for the nightbird
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
Speak the truth, I will testify
Are you ready to take the heat
Are you ready to blow the steam
Are you ready to bag the street
You got nothing to lose - but your chains
For forty days and forty nights
I come across the desert
Apollo right by mide side (rave on)
Bear witness, I'm wailing like the wind
Come bear witness, the half-breed rides again
In these hands, I've held the broken dream
In my soul, I'm howling at the moon
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
It's just another, testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
It's just another, testimony
Make me believe, in matrimony with you baby
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
Everybody knew that I'd never be the one
To give my love no I'd turn and I'd run in the other direction
Now nobody can believe just what they see
But they see you and they see me give all my love and affection
Another testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
Now well, I can't explain it
Thought I'd never entertain it
I'm picturing a ring on my finger
And now that I'm alone at home I hold your favorite cologne
Sometimes I'll spray it and let it linger
You're my kind
(Everybody knew that I'd never be the one
To give my love no I'd turn and I'd run)
whoa whoa whoa
whoa whoa whoa
(Now nobody can believe just what they see
But they see you and they see me love)
whoa whoa whoa
It's just another, testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are, and you are, and you are heeeey
It's just another, testimony
Make me believe, in matrimony
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are and you are mine
You're my kind, my perfect find
Heeeey
You're my kind, my perfect find
Just another, testimony
Just another, testimony
Just another, testimony
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Testiony testimony testimony testimony
Mmmmm
"Testimony" by Virtue
Verse 1:
Every now and again, my mind takes me back
Back to when I was young and didn't know you
But look at me now, it's a wonder how I made it through
So that's why I say (Thank you)
Anytime, any day (Thank you)
You are the light that shines in me know
Hook:
This is my testimony,
Never left me when I was lonely,
You stayed by my side,
So it's a must I gotta live right.
Even when times get harder,
I know I can go straight to my Father,
So any one that's lonely,
Try Christ, that's my testimony
Chorus:
Ooohh, somebody's lost their way
Somebody needs to pray
I know you'll find hope in my testimony
Ooohh, somebody's going through
Somebody's lost the truth
I know you'll find hope in my testimony
Verse 2:
Let me just say I've been there
Money short, bills due, He's still there
Pouring love all around me, oh
So glad he done found me
You might through going through
And I'm not here (wait a mintue)
Yes I am here just to preach to you
Cause sooner or later you'll tell me what God can do
Hook
Chorus
Bridge:
Let go it's alright
I know your heart can't take no more pain
That's why I say Jesus is the way
Please hear me and listen clearly
No man can be truely saved but through the Father
Then you'll see my testimony
Is the way to make you believe
Dark shadows at the end of the night
Mesmerised by the silver eye
Grey stone with the carved seals
I've found the forbidden gates!
The wolves carry my name
Subtle voice is summoning me fro afar
Listen to my words
This is my testimony
Creatures dreaming in the dark
Remember the time before the time
They're still waiting at the gates
Find the widsom in the starlight!
I have found the key
I have seen the lands which no map has ever charted
I have travelled among the stars
And trembled before the gods
I have raised the dead
Ans summoned the ghosts to the real apperance
I've known the widsom and possesed the power!
Conquer your fear - IA! ZI AZAG!
Chant incantation - IA! ZI AZKAK!
Call the ancient ones - IA! KHTULU ZI KUB!
featuring Fiend Mr. Serv On
[Fiend]
I have a testimony
Skull I have a testimony
[Skull Duggery]
I must watch every rectangle triangle my front sides and back
Niggas try to take me on a ride and leave me stranded black
Leave me in spots where I can't fly jack
Ain't that some shit how niggas come and fuck the game up quick
I was there when G got popped uh dead in the neck
Around the corner when Melvin got teked up in the chest
I was up the block when my compadre Coolie Black got shot
All up on Second and Clara Blocks now check it
New change was burnin inside motherfuckers like hell
The only precautionary measure was to take care of self
And that's the only way you can survive in the game
And enhance in the game but lord I really must say
Everything has got a message and a meaning to it
A purpose, if you don't believe then your day is coming
Now I'm a tell you Lord, you've gotta overstand me
Only thing I'm screamin see, uh
I got a testimony
[Fiend]
I got a testimony
I have a testimony
[Fiend]
My testimony starts losin a homie behind somethin phony
Flippin those zonie's for Rice A Roni
Lifted by my lonely for only brother to take, well look at his kid
You can have my life instead of his, I'm serious
The fear in me is I never felt this much pain in my body
But you know what, I never drank that much bracardi, lovin his shorty
Like she was mine and times I showed that baby the path
And teach it, ain't no such thing just aim it when you blast
Please be crazy bout your cash and learn to stash that last dollar
We be like you kenfolk when your broke, a No Limit rider
So god, when you hear me hollar please grant my request
Cause killers behind anybody with a tank on thier chest
[Fiend]
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
[Skull Duggery]
In 1970 a hoodlum was born on this earth
Didn't ask to come here but when I landed it sure did hurt
It was a trip to see my life split in half
>From the drug game on the street to the love I showed my mom and dad
The pain run deep, ha, nigga can't you tell
Look at the expression on my face, nigga it hurts like hell
I have a testimony to tell, this life I will never forget
Let me hit this life boy, rearrange my whole shit
Look, I was riding up Third Street as usual
I was gonna bust a left buck I'm on a cell but I left shampoo hotel
Man it hurts me, scene it horrified me
I seen a group of little kids having fun ya dig
nobody botherin them see
Until this chump drove up with his big shot gun
And he shot a round of kids, I say boy
what this nigga did (what this nigga did)
And the little kid that he shot boy on the block, end his life
And the kid's name was James? right, and that's my testimony
[Mr. Serv-On]
Now see in my life, it ain't never been what it's supposed to be
Sometimes my tank dogs feel like they losing me
Sometimes I just feel they don't understand me
Cause in my life you never tell me life will bring so much harm
I never thought to see my homie? die with needles in his arm
And like my homie Derrell Fuller, he never got to see his twins born
And by the way they couldn't see it because they bullets they took
they couldn't take it
And you couldn't tell me that these days in my life
That I believe in the things that I saw
Shit, I never knew I had this testimony
[Fiend]
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
I have a testimony
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Caught in a world of rhyme and reason
Logic is like a thief
Robbing me of my inner healing
Questioning my belief
But in Your quiet I hear only You
Teaching me what my heart already knew
Chorus
You are my lifeline
You are my sanctuary
You are my torchlight
This is my testimony
Rivers of darkness raging through me
My spirit is underfed
Ebony dreams of carnal knowledge
Are swimming inside my head
But when doubting leads me to the water's edge
You are the One who saves me from myself
"Seeking life-answers by using dark powers"
The gates to my subconscious, open wide
Hear and remember, the incantations I recite
Reveal the power, no longer known by man
Possess, before the ancients rule the earth once again
Beneath the seas and skies of the human mind
The abyss yawes wide before me
Uncertain what truth or lies I will find
Appear and share my wisdom, for I know thee
Descend into the foul places of death
I fear for my flesh, for I have seen my epitaph
The price I pay on this lonely journey
Is softened and I hope the Gods will have mercy
From a time before a time a cold voice has spoken
From a land beyond the stars I evoke thee
In exchange for wisdom, what evil have I woken
What terrible faith shall co... me?
I've seen the future
I've seen the past
I've seen the sight of whom causeth horror
I've seen my place of rest
I've travelled on spheres, I've seen things beyond imagination
The things I have learned are the most pure revelation
Obliterated are the lines of my life
My blood cries out as I make my last sacrifice
I cannot see, I cannot move, 'cause sight is failing me
Knowing that the beasts of the spaces claim my blood
My blood turns black but frightened I cannot be
If I should die for our way
I pray the streets my world to take
Divide…
Getting my jewellery to the most respected
My .. give my guns to the gunners
You don't say it!
Chorus:
Cocaine dose, fish.. vicious
Pray the Lord for giving niggers, street is my religion
Amen, amen, amen
Can I hear who the niggers praying amen
Give my testimony, testimony, testimony
My testimony, my testimony
Give my testimony, testimony, testimony
Amen, amen, amen
Can I hear hood niggers praying amen
I'm a different type of niggers, I'm on a different shit
Every day I wake up, I want a different bitch
I want the world playing, I want the kido
Talking real so big they can't feel ….
..a different one…
For.. bitch, another name!
Got confession to make, you all look the same
No .. and looking, ought to be ashamed!
Say the rap game change a lot of niggers stress
But between you an me, nigger is a bliss
fake niggers come up, real niggers suffer
.. that's why I don't trust him!
In my testimony, I … the truth to see
Hoping the Lord forgive a nigger, street is my religion
Then can't I get an amen…
Chorus:
Cocaine dose, fish.. vicious
Pray the Lord for giving niggers, street is my religion
Amen, amen, amen
Can I hear who the niggers praying amen
Give my testimony, testimony, testimony
My testimony, my testimony
Give my testimony, testimony, testimony
Amen, amen, amen
Can I hear hood niggers praying amen
In my hood, playing it right
Where do I shoot, where do I hit?
Five hundred ..and it did my life
OG, OT I don't shit… but the money…
..then it ain't my guy
Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…
Anything else, way to high
Gucci knew this… way too fly
way to high, need to come down
Need a…
Don't know me, don't know you
…my hood, so don't come around.
I'mma tell you like a nigger told me
..might be OG
That being said, that being told
That's the first nigger in front of me,a whole key
..put it in my hand, cause he know I wanna plan…
..he had to shoot me…
My testimony, my testimony, my testimony!
My testimony, my testimony, my testimony!
Yeah, I hear… inside the kitchen saying…
..why took 'em bitches…
..full of money.. but I kept the chopper…
..cha cha cha ain't no stopping me!
acting crazy, yes I am, nobody need to pray for me
.. I know they got a place for me…
You know how these game goes
How can I give a testimony of my life?
When I'm still trying hard to hold my head up high
I'm trying so hard to hold my head up high
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
Always something else
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
But I can't outrun myself
How can I give a testimony of my time?
When it's so hard to pen a simple valentine
It weighs a little heavy on my mind
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
Always something else
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
But I can't outrun myself
Oh oh you know
If I told you once
I've told you loads before
I couldn't love you more
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
Always something else
And every time I turn around
Feel as though I've let you down
But I can't outrun myself
No oh oh oh
She was born in December
A day that was cold
That's all they would recall
Little girl lost her mother
Stare in the mirror
And searches for a woman she'll never know
Inside the child staring back
Left to fill the spaces of holes
Feeble answers to questions she'll never know
So she makes up a story
About the woman in the photograph that she stole
And imagines a life
Where they share more than just their smiles
And blonde hair
Some trees are planted
Others have to grow on their own
She thinks about it less now
She's older
"It's just easier to left yourself forget"
Memories are bestowed on the fortunate
The forsaken have to learn to just throw them away
Now her son ventures out
Unsure of what he'll find
Or what he's even looking for
He can't find his way despite his maps
He throws them down
(He understands)
Lost, the son bows his pathetic head
And falls to his unscarred knees
To thank God
For giving such a little girl such strength
He lifts himself back up
A little lighter now
To see flowers blooming underneath him
In the safety of these trees
We're staring over now
We live our lucky, privileged lives
Held together
Forever by that girl who knew
There must be something better
We grow together now
Look over yonder, Apollo at a distance
You can hear his music if you listen to the wind (blow)
I want to be there - I want to be right there
Bear witness, I'm wailing like the wind
Come bear witness, the half-breed rides again
In these hands, I've held the broken dream
In my soul, I'm howling at the moon
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
Speak the truth, I will testify
I had a revelation like runaway horses
Took to the road with a carnival show (roll on)
Those golden days on Smokey Mountain
Playing guitar in a one man band
Bear witness, I'm howling at the moon
Come bear witness, I've danced among the ruins
In these shoes, I've walked a crooked mile
All my life I been searching for the nightbird
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
Speak the truth, I will testify
Are you ready to take the heat
Are you ready to blow the steam
Are you ready to bag the street
You got nothing to lose - but your chains
For forty days and forty nights
I come across the desert
Apollo right by mide side (rave on)
Bear witness, I'm wailing like the wind
Come bear witness, the half-breed rides again
In these hands, I've held the broken dream
In my soul, I'm howling at the moon
Testimony, testimony
Declare yourself - I will testify
Testimony, testimony
Take me some where sunny
lf you have a testimony
Ba da da da da
They give you easy blindness like a moneylender
And you may need bright lights for surgery
Ah-ahh, ah-ahh, tell me
l have a knife and time enough for everything
Yesterday covers your head
With that anesthetic dread
Beautiful, beautiful
Are you dangerous, dangerous
Think I'm gonna die of lust
Think I'm gonna die of lust
Bite the dust I will, I will
And I can't count past wonderful to tomorrow
Tell me if I die and never know
Beautiful, beautiful
Are you dangerous, dangerous
Think I'm gonna die of lust
Bite the dust do, do I will, I will
When every thing's gone
I will be your champion
It's just another, testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
It's just another, testimony
Make me believe, in matrimony with you baby
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
Everybody knew that I'd never be the one
To give my love no I'd turn and I'd run in the other direction
Now nobody can believe just what they see
But they see you and they see me give all my love and affection
Another testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are mine
Now well, I can't explain it
Thought I'd never entertain it
I'm picturing a ring on my finger
And now that I'm alone at home I hold your favorite cologne
Sometimes I'll spray it and let it linger
You're my kind
(Everybody knew that I'd never be the one
To give my love no I'd turn and I'd run)
Whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa
(Now nobody can believe just what they see
But they see you and they see me love)
Whoa whoa whoa
It's just another, testimony
That you are my, my one and only
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are, and you are, and you are heeeey
It's just another, testimony
Make me believe, in matrimony
You're my kind, my perfect find
And you are and you are mine
You're my kind, my perfect find
Heeeey
You're my kind, my perfect find
Just another, testimony
Just another, testimony
Just another, testimony
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Mmmm testimony
Testiony testimony testimony testimony
Mmmmm
How can I give a testimony of my life?
When I'm still trying hard to hold my head up high?
I'm tryin' so hard to hold my head up high.
But every time I turn around,
Feel as though I've let ya down,
Always something else
Every time I turn around,
Feel as though I let you down,
But I can't out run myself
How can I give a testimony of my time?
When its so hard to pen a simple valentine
It weighs a little heavy on my mind
But every time I turn around,
Feel as though I've let ya down,
Always something else
Every time I turn around,
Feel as though I let you down,
But I can't out run myself
Oh, you know....
If I told you once, I've told
you loads before,
I couldn't love you more
But every time I turn around,
Feel as though I've let ya down,
Always something else
Every time I turn around,
Feel as though I let you down,
But I can't out run myself
Yeah, testimony! Freedom!
The world wanna know what Topic been at
A lot on my plate to talk about that
Now let me see where I begin that!
First, I'm signing you know who
It was a fucking joke, and I don't wanna lie this boof
My confidence was broke,
But you gotta know in war is always casualties
I realize the hate is another former flattery
I drop my life between the lines, before I say them to you
Sincerely... don't really think I'm playing, do you?
It's hard to make a change when all your feel is anger
And everywhere you go inside your jeans you talk about the anger
Twisting off Kush to keep from flying off the anger
Cause you gotta watch your friends, more than you do a stranger
Huh? what part of the game is that?
These streets are evil, they don't make me a maniac
Dispute it if you will, it won't change the facts
The proper principles apply, I could change my path!
Yeah, these suckers praying on my downfall
My potential is in this prices, is my catalog
The world will hear me out like something that Obama spoke
Constantly I... the storm in Obama coat
I'm accountable for what you... to your speakers
My agenda feed the streets that I pledged alliance
Anything alive if it lives and has a season
Niggers, they wanna fuck with... cause I wanna please them!
It ain't coincidental that my shit has depth to it
A lot of shit now, I don't hear I slept through it
I guess it has to do with the...
What other way to dedicate money, but love songs
Testimony hey!
Chorus:
This is my testimony
Motion pictures shooting cameras on me
Therefore I'm living like there's nothing to lose
At the end is all a part of paying your dues!
This is my testimony
Motion pictures shooting cameras on me
And you don't wanna miss a moment of the show
My former situation, I was getting fucked over
Now these hoe begged to put a Range Rover truck over
They seen me pushing strong, I killed the game
Like a street sweeper, I come, they clear the lanes
I built a flame, but it flickered out
Ways to perpetual, what's that taking about?
Unless you're sucking dick, and keep me out your mouth
The vision won't die, that's what they bitter about
I go to war with the biggest...
I bet it all on one role and...
Pistol in my hand, need to talk to my father
Before I kill them, Lord, I'm...
Every man to blame Sodom and Gomorrah
The game is rough to rain, no foreign explorer
That's why you feel my passions is disputing it
It's death before dishonor, I'm at true religion! True!
Chorus:
This is my testimony
Motion pictures shooting cameras on me
Therefore I'm living like there's nothing to lose
At the end is all a part of paying your dues!
This is my testimony
Motion pictures shooting cameras on me