Songs That Tell Stories

The downfall of the Indian nations - Not an easy story to watch.

There was a lot of speculation re this song, when Bob Dylan first released it. Some said it was for Joan Baez. Saturday Review said it was about a city. Turns out, as told by Dylan himself, in the song Sarah, he wrote it to his wife.

Speaking of Chief Joseph (his Nez Perce name was "Rolling Thunder" or "Thunder Rolling in the Mountains"--that's what the line in this song refers to him as), here's a song about him and the famous Nez Perce-bred horse, the Appaloosa, by Fred Small. I remember the first time I heard it, I was about three blocks from my house,but I had to pull over and stop and listen to the song for its six minutes, before I could drive again. Fred Small is a Cambridge singer-songwriter who wrote some amazing songs, this being one of them, but has pretty much given it up, except for one concert a year, to be a full-time Unitarian minister--the old joke about "What happens when two Unitarians meet each other?" "They open a coffehouse", is pretty much true. He's a good guy.

Speaking of Chief Joseph (his Nez Perce name was "Rolling Thunder" or "Thunder Rolling in the Mountains"--that's what the line in this song refers to him as), here's a song about him and the famous Nez Perce-bred horse, the Appaloosa, by Fred Small. I remember the first time I heard it, I was about three blocks from my house,but I had to pull over and stop and listen to the song for its six minutes, before I could drive again. Fred Small is a Cambridge singer-songwriter who wrote some amazing songs, this being one of them, but has pretty much given it up, except for one concert a year, to be a full-time Unitarian minister--the old joke about "What happens when two Unitarians meet each other?" "They open a coffehouse", is pretty much true. He's a good guy.

sorry for the double post--everything got hung when I tired posting it the first time, and I hit "Reply" again to try to get out of the hang--and things stayed hung up, but must have been churning away quietly to themselves somewhere. I think it's good enough to listen to at least twice, anyway.

I agree about that song. The appaloosa is an element to the story I had not heard of previously. Great recording.

I'm surprised no one's come up with
Three Dog Night's signature song so far.

To me this one marked the decline of AM radio as musical entertainment.

Well, so many songs, so few opportunities to post them all. That is a great song, of course.

I'm having this number by Harry Belafonte played on the occasion of my leaving town, should I be the first to go. The key word in the lyrics is "Kingston", making the song relevant for the occasion. The song itself is appropriately descriptive -metaphorically, that is- as my personal summation.

Amazon Dot-com provided me with this song on a CD album.

I have the vinyl editions of Belafonte's albums. Started collecting them in 1958.
Also have a five CD collection that starts with his first recording, then spans a number of his albums.

Great one by Bob, edgar. I recall that incident.

Since today is Robert Fulton's birthday, I thought that I should do this one.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InZVbcPrawA

I didn't know that song, letty. But it's fitting for Fulton's bday.

Fantasic song by Lee Hazlewood, edgar. Don't know it, but Jose was sad and happy at the same time.

I didn't know that guy that sang Steamboat Bill either. Just noticed that he did The Preacher and the Bear.

This is a movie based on a novelette/short story by Honore de Balzak

Passion in the Desert, or Simoom: A Passion in the Desert, is a 1998 film based on a short story by Honoré de Balzac titled A Passion in the Desert. The film received a limited theatrical release in 1998 and was directed by Lavinia Currier, the film follows the ventures of a young French officer named Augustin Robert (Ben Daniels) in late 18th century Egypt during Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign to capture the country.

http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/DV0Iw214uoG828/trailer

I have not read the story, but the trailer makes it look like a good one.

Hero war-dog Target
euthanized by mistake
New York Post, by Staff

Original Article

Posted By:JoniTx, 11/16/2010 11:46:42 AM

A dog that fought off a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, saving the lives of several US soldiers, was euthanized by mistake by animal shelter staff in Arizona.An investigation was underway Tuesday into why Target was put to sleep at the Pinal County Animal Care & Control center. An unnamed employee was placed on administrative leave for failing to follow procedures.The shepherd-mix dog was picked up last Friday after going missing from its owner Sgt. Terry Young's home in the San Tan Valley area, southeast of Phoenix. The dog, which was not microchipped or licensed with the county, was euthanized Monday.

and, edgar, in the days when euthanasia was not available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE8Y_hc4A5Y

In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our fetters we carried.

In the rusty iron chains we sighed for our wains
As our good wives we left in sorrow.
As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled
On the English and thoughts of tomorrow.

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.

I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell.
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelights.
White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight.

Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
Our comrades we buried each morning.
In our own slime we were lost in a time.
Endless night without dawning.

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.

Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
To live out his life in slavery.
When the climate is raw and the gun makes the law.
Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery.

Twenty years have gone by and I've ended me bond
And comrades' ghosts are behind me.
A rebel I came and I'll die the same.
On the cold winds of night you will find me

Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
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© Bobby Sands Trust


Written By. Bobby Sands. (RIP)

Performed By. Christy Moore

This song will always be relevant.