It's interesting that I see the media recently as devoting a lot of ink to bashing the French. What they seem to regard as behaving as combative to Americans I see as being independent. On my first trip to France, I was warned by many travelers of the difficulty of dealing with the French. When I arrived there prepared for uncouth and abrasive attitudes I found instead cooperative and even friendly and helpful people. It was a thorough delight. I was forced through logic to surmise that what my mentors had received was what they had offered. There were certainly enough occasions for enmity to be offered. It wasn't. Too often not just in France but everywhere we forget that the government is not the people. When I say I love my country it is true. But my country is people working hard, caring for neighbors, devout families. It's also wonderful vistas and wildlife. If we lose sight of this then we've fallen into a media trap. Then God help us.
Just got an exciting call from our lead singer. We're going to open for a rather big country star on Sat night. His name is Joe Nichols and he's one of my fave singers. I'll try and get some pics.
Playing at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Festival Grounds?
Sorry bob, didn't mean to interrupt your post
Amen, brother Bob. I find that people who are non aggressive, get along with others regardless of what country. There's a poem called "The Right Kind of People," that echoes your sentiments.
Panz, that is great news. Looking forward to seeing and hearing. I can tell that you're excited, and that gets us up and expectant. Where is this concert to be held, and what will you be playing?
Letty wrote: Where is this concert to be held, and what will you be playing?
If I'm not totally wrong, I mentioned it above :wink:
Panzade no apology necessary or expected. This is everyone's world.
Flagler Park?
Walter, how did you do that so quickly? My Gawd! That's right in my neighborhood.
Letty wrote:Walter, how did you do that so quickly?
Eh, I have, ... I mean ... well, to be honest: with my computer and the internet
Aaah. How could the net have neglected to mention Oliver Wendell Holmes' birthday.
Master alike in speech and song
Of fame's great antiseptic--Style,
You with the classic few belong
Who tempered wisdom with a smile.
- James Russell Lowell,
To Oliver Wendell Holmes on His 75th Birthday
and dolphins, I do adore.
When I was a teen on vacation at Virginia Beach I had my first encounter with dolphins,( or porpoises). I was dozing on a rented raft/float and had floated out too far in the ocean. I woke up when the water got rough and that's when I saw four of those magnificent creatures coming toward me. Scared out of my wits, I paddled frantically with my hands until the float turned around and headed for shore with the four dolphins right beside me, two on each side. I can't remember who got to shore first, but a group of sunbathers had gathered there and I could hear them cheering me on. I wish I could remember more about that day. All I can remember is how huge those porpoises seemed to be, and people helping me onto the beach and a very angry lifeguard. (lol)
Here's a poem by Stephen Spender, I'm fond of:
Happy, they leap
Out of the surface
Of waves reflecting
The sun fragmented
To broken glass
By the stiff breeze
Across our bows.
Curving, they draw
Curlicues
And serifs with
Lashed tail and Fin
Across the screen
Of blue horizon --
Images
Of their delight
Outside, displaying
My heart within.
Across this dazzling
Mediterranean
August morning
The dolphins write such
Ideograms:
With Power to wake
Me prisoned in
My human speech
They sign
"I AM!"
Letty: I love Holmes' lines:
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea!
Walter doesn't have dial up obviously.
Raggedy, honey, you do have a lot on your hands, not to worry about one wee oversight.
Oops. Sorry for interrupting the music sesson. I'm a little slow on the draw.
And, Raggedy, I love these lines:
Curving, they draw
Curlicues
And serifs with
Lashed tail and Fin
Across the screen
Of blue horizon --
Images
Of their delight
Outside, displaying
Fantastic!
(thank you, Ms Letty for the link to Mack the Knife. We've gone beyond that song now but I feel a little vindicated. That is an old, old song and yes, I would say dark. There are some other comments I have read about how different versions have very subtle changes in the lyrics that can, perhaps, alter the meaning. The shark for example, has teeth that are "pearly white" or "pure and white." Enough already about Mack).
Ah, John from the great state of Virginia, I really never thought about the words, frankly. Yes, they are indeed dark.
I'm still waiting for Florida panz to explain exactly when and where that concert is taking place.
I would love to see it, panz, but as many of you know, I must make careful plans. I would love for Misti to join me.
Listeners, Any input about Joe Turner would be appreciated, other than what Walter of Germany has so kindly supplied.
Did I get all the countries right?
as the great song said, i've been everywhere man, well i haven't been everywhere, but these songs sure have
KATMANDU
Words and music by bob seger
I think I'm going to katmandu.
That's really, really where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
That's what I'm gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-k katmandu.
I think that's really where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
I'm going to katmandu.
I got no kick against the west coast.
Warner brothers are such good hosts.
I raise my whiskey glass and give them a toast.
I'm sure they know it's true.
I got no rap against the southern states.
Every time I've been there it's been great.
But now I'm leaving and I can't be late
And to myself be true.
That's why I'm going to katmandu.
Up to the mountain's where I'm going to.
And if I ever get out of here,
That's what I'm gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-k katmandu.
That's really, really where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
I'm going to katmandu.
I've got no quarrel with the midwest.
The folks out there have given me their best.
I've lived there all my life; I've been their guest.
I sure have loved it, too.
I'm tired of looking at the tv news.
I'm tired of driving hard and paying dues
I figure, baby, I've got nothing to lose.
I'm tired of being blue.
That's why I'm going to katmandu.
Up to the mountain's where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
That's what I'm gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-k katmandu.
Take me, baby, cause I'm going with you.
If I ever get out of here,
I'm going to katmandu.
I ain't got nothin' 'gainst the east coast.
You want some people where they got the most!
And new york city's like a friendly ghost;
You seem to pass right through.
I know I'm gonna miss the usa.
I guess I'll miss it every single day.
But no one loves me here anyway!
I know my plane is due.
The one that's going to katmandu.
Up to the mountain's where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
That's what I'm gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-k katmandu.
Really, really, really, going to.
If I ever get out of here,
If I ever get out of here,
If I ever get out of here,
I'm going to katmandu.
**********
I Love Paris
Every time i look down on this timeless town,
Whether blue or gray be her skies,
Whether loud be her cheers,
Or whether soft be her tears,
More and more do I realize that...
I love Paris in the spring time,
I love Paris in the fall,
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles,
I love Paris every moment
Every moment of the year
I love Paris, why oh why do I love Paris
Because my love is near.
**********
Los Angeles, I'm Yours
The Decemberists
There is a city by the sea
A gentle company
I don't suppose you want to
And as it tells its sorry tale
In harrowing detail
Its hollowness will haunt you
Its streets and boulevards
Orphans and oligarchs it hears
A plaintive melody
Truncated symphony
An ocean's garbled vomit on the shore,
Los Angeles, I'm yours
Oh ladies, pleasant and demure
Sallow-cheeked and sure
I can see your undies
And all the boys you drag about
An empty fellow found
From Saturdays to Mondays
You hill and valley crowd
Hanging your trousers down at heel
This is the realest thing
As ancient choirs sing
A dozen blushing cherubs wheel above
Los Angeles I love
Oh what a rush of ripe élan
Languor on divans
Dalliant and dainty
But oh, the smell of burnt cocaine
The dolor and decay
It only makes me cranky
Oh great calamity,
Ditch of iniquity and tears
How I abhor this place
Its sweet and bitter taste
Has left me wretched, retching on all fours
Los Angeles, I'm yours
***********
Back In The USSR
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my mind.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm.
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.
**********
CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY
There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real
But time has no beginnings and hist'ry has no bounds
As to this verdant country they came from all around
They sailed upon her waterways and they walked the forests tall
And they built the mines the mills and the factories for the good of us all
And when the young man's fancy was turnin' to the spring
The railroad men grew restless for to hear the hammers ring
Their minds were overflowing with the visions of their day
And many a fortune lost and won and many a debt to pay
For they looked in the future and what did they see
They saw an iron road runnin' from sea to the sea
Bringin' the goods to a young growin' land
All up through the seaports and into their hands
Look away said they across this mighty land
From the eastern shore to the western strand
Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
We gotta lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
Gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow
Bring in the workers and bring up the rails
We're gonna lay down the tracks and tear up the trails
Open 'er heart let the life blood flow
Gotta get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow
Get on our way 'cause we're movin' too slow
Behind the blue rockies the sun is declinin'
The stars, they come stealin' at the close of the day
Across the wide prairie our loved ones lie sleeping
Beyond the dark oceans in a place far away
We are the navvies who work upon the railway
Swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Livin' on stew and drinkin' bad whiskey
Bendin' our old backs 'til the long days are done
We are the navvies who work upon the railway
Swingin' our hammers in the bright blazin' sun
Layin' down track and buildin' the bridges
Bendin' our old backs 'til the railroad is done
So over the mountains and over the plains
Into the muskeg and into the rain
Up the st. lawrence all the way to gaspe
Swingin' our hammers and drawin' our pay
Drivin' 'em in and tyin' 'em down
Away to the bunkhouse and into the town
A dollar a day and a place for my head
A drink to the livin' and a toast to the dead
Oh the song of the future has been sung
All the battles have been won
O'er the mountain tops we stand
All the world at our command
We have opened up the soil
With our teardrops and our toil
For there was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run
When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun
Long before the white man and long before the wheel
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real
When the green dark forest was too silent to be real
And many are the dead men too silent to be real
**********
AMERICA
'let us be lovers we'll marry our fortunes together'
'I've got some real estate here in my bag'
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and mrs. wagner pies
And we walked off to look for america
'kathy,' I said as we boarded a greyhound in pittsburgh
'michigan seems like a dream to me now'
It took me four days to hitchhike from saginaw
I've gone to look for america
Laughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
I said 'be careful his bowtie is really a camera'
'toss me a cigarette, I think there's one in my raincoat'
'we smoked the last one an hour ago'
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field
'kathy, I'm lost,' I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why
Counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike
They've all gone to look for america
All gone to look for america
All gone to look for america
Bally Mena
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Brothers we were and brothers we'll be
I till the soil and you sail the sea
To the ship Bally Mena you gave your best
But a raging sea laid your soul to rest
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
No more to hear, to hear the tale
Of how you tamed a mighty whale
And the girl who waited so patiently
Will walk no more by the sea
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
