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“Armed with will and determination, and grace, too.”

I may sound like a broken record, and for that I apologize. It’s the Canadian thing to do, eh? But I feel the need to record this both for myself and on behalf of my fellow Canadians.

There is no power equal to that of music. It brings us together and gives us, as humans, a connection that crosses all barriers. As one who has traveled the world for the privilege of hearing it live, I can attest to this. It’s one thing to listen to it on the radio, or on your home stereo, knowing that you can replay it a million times, but that’s light years from standing before a stage, surrounded by not only the sound but the energy, the vibration, and the unique experience that is being at a concert. It must be that, times ten, for the performers.

So we come to the point. The Tragically Hip. In case you somehow missed the news, their lead singer, Gordon Downie, was diagnosed in May with terminal brain cancer. Their final concert last night at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston was a one-off like none other. I watched as Gordie stood on stage with his eyes closed, absorbing the sound, the experience, just as I have so many times. Living in that moment because that moment was all he had, and all he will ever have. I pray he wasn’t in pain, that the adrenaline was enough. We, as a country, watched as he bravely did what he does best. If he’s like me, he shared with us what he loves the most besides his family – the power of music.

He spoke about The Hip’s third performance in Kingston, 28 years ago, when six people attended the show. Last night it’s estimated that 11.7 million Canadians watched their final performance. It wasn’t enough for me to watch it after the fact: I needed to feel the undeniable connection of my country, my Prime Minister who was there at the concert less than an hour from where I live, and of course, the band.

This video, choppy as it is, shows a moment at the end that will stay with me for the rest of my life. As someone on twitter said last night, we watched a man who is dying. With Courage and Grace, Too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hv1EY1Chw

Grace, Too

He said, “I’m fabulously rich, come on just let’s go”
She kind of bit her lip, “Jeez, I don’t know”
But I can guarantee, there’ll be no knock on the door
I’m total pro, that’s what I’m here for

I come from downtown, born ready for you
Armed with will and determination, and grace, too

The secret rules of engagement are hard to endorse
When the appearance of conflict meets the appearance of force
But I can guarantee, there’ll be no knock on the door
I’m total pro here, that’s what I’m here for

I come from downtown, born ready for you
Armed with skill and it’s frustration, and grace, too


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Song-Lyric Sunday – The Tragically Hip

I’m breaking from Helen’s theme on Song-Lyric Sunday today because what I want to write about is time-sensitive.

I’m not much of a Tragically Hip fan. I never have been. But what the band is going through right now affects me. It has the potential to affect all music fans, regardless of preference. You see, a few months ago, when The Tragically Hip announced their final tour, they also came out with the news that their lead singer, Gordon Downie, has brain cancer.

Over the years, The Tragically Hip have become a Canadian icon, every bit as much as David Bowie was to England. Yet they chose to handle the same disease differently. Some would say Bowie did it right, not allowing his fans to fawn over him during his final days. Those same people might say The Hip announced Gordon Downie’s disease as a publicity stunt. But I would have to disagree. The same number of people would have bought tickets to their “final tour” (in brackets because we know what that usually means) and perhaps some of their most loyal fans would have waited until they came out of retirement. As it is, it doesn’t seem they will.

Imagine.

On August 20th they will walk off the stage for the very last time, in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario. The venue, the K-Rock Centre on Tragically Hip Way. How difficult will that be for both the band and the fans? I’m in tears just thinking about it, because even though The Tragically Hip isn’t “my band,” it will happen to every one of them, eventually. Because of the timely announcement, the CBC will simulcast the concert countrywide.

To one of Canada’s greatest bands. I salute you.

Wheat Kings

(Lyrics from Google Play Music)
Sundown in the Paris of the prairies
Wheat kings have all treasures buried
And all you hear are the rusty breezes
Pushing around the weathervane Jesus

In his Zippo lighter he sees the killer’s face
Maybe it’s someone standing in a killer’s place
Twenty years for nothing, well, that’s nothing new
Besides, no one’s interested in something you didn’t do

Wheat kings and pretty things
Let’s just see what the morning brings

There’s a dream he dreams where the high school’s dead and stark
It’s a museum and we’re all locked up in it after dark
Where the walls are lined all yellow, grey and sinister
Hung with pictures of our parents’ prime ministers

Wheat kings and pretty things
Wait and see what tomorrow brings

Late breaking story on the CBC
A nation whispers, “We always knew that he’d go free”
They add, “You can’t be fond of living in the past
‘Cause if you are then there’s no way that you’re going to last”

Wheat kings and pretty things
Let’s just see what tomorrow brings
Wheat kings and pretty things
Oh that’s what tomorrow brings

Written by Gordon Downie, Gordon Sinclair, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, Robert Baker • Copyright © Peermusic Publishing


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Song-Lyric Sunday – Boat on the River by Styx

Our prompt this week on, Helen Espinosa’s fabulous Song-Lyric Sunday is a song from our first concert. Since I’ve already posted a song from “Hotel California” (that was my first concert – I was 14) I decided to post one from the group I saw second, which was Styx.

If you don’t know the “Cornerstone” album, you probably don’t know this song. The lyrics are about longing for the past. For me it’s not as much about the lyrics though – I love this song for the awesome mandolin, and, of course, the heartthrob that was Tommy Shaw in his prime.

“Boat On The River”

Take me back to my boat on the river
I need to go down, I need to come down
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won’t cry out any more
Time stands still as I gaze In her waters
She eases me down, touching me gently
With the waters that flow past my boat on the river
So I don’t cry out anymore

Oh the river is wide
The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me down to my boat on the river
And I won’t cry out anymore

Oh the river is deep
The river it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquillity Base
Where the frown on my face disappears

Take me down to my boat on the river
I need to go down
Won’t you let me go down?
Take me back to my boat on the river
And I won’t cry out anymore
And I won’t cry out anymore
And I won’t cry out anymore

Lyrics by Tommy Shaw, copied and pasted from AtoZ Lyrics

 


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Song Lyric Sunday – Django!!! by Buck-Tick

I’ve made a promise to myself not to plague you with Japanese band, Buck-Tick, songs too often for this prompt, but when I read this week’s theme given out by our own, lovely Helen, I couldn’t help it. The theme is ‘songs that make us happy.’

I’m not able to include the lyrics here since the one site I trust to properly translate doesn’t allow me to copy them without express permission, but I can tell you what they’re about. To read the actual lyrics (in English) please watch the video. And hear the song! Any song with the lyrics “bibbidy bobbidy boo” must be listened to!

The song is named “Django!!! – Genwaku no Django” or “Django!!! – Django the Dazzler” after the jazz guitarist Django Reihardt.  Born in 1910, he started his career as a guitarist early, but lost the use of two fingers on his left hand in a fire. From wikipedia:

He created an entirely new style of jazz guitar technique (sometimes called ‘hot’ jazz guitar), which has since become a living musical tradition within French Gypsy culture. With violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt co-founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France, described by critic Thom Jurek as “one of the most original bands in the history of recorded jazz”.

He was known as a “magician” guitarist in his time. Django was further referenced in the recent movie bearing his name. You can read about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Reinhardt

But before you do, watch the video and read the lyrics. And as a bonus, hear a song that’s guaranteed to make you want to dance!


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Song-Lyric Sunday – Uninvited – Alanis Morrisette

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For this week’s Song Lyric Sunday (brought to you by the lovely and talented Helen Espinosa – click to see the prompt!) we were tasked with coming up with a song from the 90s. I listened to the radio a lot back then, driving back and forth to my job in Ottawa, but there aren’t too many songs that stuck with me. This was one of the few.

I loved “Uninvited” from the first time I heard it, which I think was at the end of the movie, City of Angels. But what makes it even more memorable for me, was seeing Alanis walking up King Edward Street in Ottawa one day as I was driving to work. I was surprised at how tiny she is, considering the set of pipes on her. I don’t know, I suppose we expect people who are often on stage to be taller, I guess. 😛

Anyway, here’s an awesome live performance with an entire orchestra.

And the lyrics:

Uninvited – Alanis Morrisette

Like anyone would be
I am flattered by your fascination with me
Like any hot-blooded woman
I have simply wanted an object to crave
But you, you’re not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight
Must be strangely exciting
To watch the stoic squirm
Must be somewhat heartening
To watch shepherd need shepherd
But you you’re not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight
Like any uncharted territory
I must seem greatly intriguing
You speak of my love like
You have experienced love like mine before
But this is not allowed
You’re uninvited
An unfortunate slight
I don’t think you unworthy
I need a moment to deliberate

Lyrics courtesy of allthelyrics.com


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Song-Lyric Sunday – If I Had Words – Babe

The wonderful Helen Espinosa has, this week, declared Song-Lyric Sunday’s theme to be a song that we love from a movie. (Please join in – it’s fun!) It was a tough decision, but finally I chose a song from the movie, Babe. It’s sung by Farmer Hoggett, played by the lovely James Cromwell, during the film and by the Field Mice in the end credits.

The song has quite a history. “If I Had Words” was first recorded in  1978, sung by Scott Fitzgerald as a duet with Yvonne Keeley. It became a hit in the UK. I imagine Scott Fitzgerald gave it lyrics, but I haven’t been able to confirm it. Considering the lyrics themselves, this is strangely ironic. The music was adapted from Symphony No. 3 by Camille Saint-Saëns, written in 1886.

The lyrics are simple but deeply profound to me, as a writer. They represent everything I would give to my children, every day of their lives, if I could.

“If I Had Words”

If I had words to make a day for you,
I’d sing you a morning golden and new
I would make this day last for all time
Give you a night deep in moonshine

*****

The music moves me as much as the words, so I’ll leave you with two sources. First the version from the movie, and second, the Symphony. The latter is 36+ minutes long, but the section in question, if you want to hear just that, begins shortly after 27:20 in the Youtube video. The whole Symphony is beautiful.

Oh, and what the hell: I’ll add the Mice version too, since it’s so cute.


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Song-Lyric Sunday – The Last Resort – The Eagles

Helen’s prompt for this weeks’ Song-Lyric Sunday is “classics.” Her post here (where you can find all the rules and stuff to join in – do it!), highlights a song that tells a story. As I was going through my CD collection, looking for one of my oldest albums (I still have it on vinyl!) I came across “Hotel California.” Everyone knows the title song, and yes, it too tells a story. But the song on the album I love even more is “The Last Resort,” which also tells a story. One that is as relevant today as it has ever been.

You can listen to it here, with the lyrics:

If you can’t view the one above, try this:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgry2y_eagles-the-last-resort_music

“The Last Resort”
Don Henley and Glen Frey

She came from Providence,
the one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea

She heard about a place people were smilin’
They spoke about the red man’s way,
how they loved the land
And they came from everywhere
to the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
or a place to hide

Down in the crowded bars,
out for a good time,
Can’t wait to tell you all,
what it’s like up there
And they called it paradise
I don’t know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
while the town got high

Then the chilly winds blew down
Across the desert
through the canyons of the coast,
to the Malibu
Where the pretty people play,
hungry for power
to light their neon way
give them things to do

Some rich men came and raped the land,
Nobody caught ’em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes,
and Jesus people bought ’em
‘nd they called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun, sinking in the sea

You can leave it all behind and sail to Lahaina
just like the missionaries did, so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign: “Jesus is coming”
Brought the white man’s burden down
Brought the white man’s reign

Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
‘Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here

We satisfy our endless needs and
justify our bloody deeds,
in the name of destiny
and in the name of God

And you can see them there,
On Sunday morning
They stand up and sing about
what it’s like up there
They call it paradise
I don’t know why
You call someplace paradise,
kiss it goodbye

Lyrics courtesy of A-Z Lyrics

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Song-Lyric Sunday – “The Way” – Fastball

Today’s theme for Song-Lyric Sunday is Moms. I wanted to share something a little different. I’ve always loved the song, “The Way,” by Fastball. It reminds me of carefree days before kids, when the world was my oyster and the road was paved with gold, at least in my mind. It also reminds me that there are people in the world who never grow up, who never submit to the responsibility of the children they bear. What the couple does in the song is a fleeting fantasy. One I admit to occasionally having. In me, it only lasts a split second. For some…

“The Way” – Fastball

They made up their minds
And they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down they started walking
Where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

[Chorus:]
Anyone can see the road that they walk on
Is paved in gold
And it’s always summer
They’ll never get cold
They’ll never get hungry
They’ll never get old and grey
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere
They won’t make it home
But they really don’t care
They wanted the highway
They’re happier there today, today

Their children woke up
And they couldn’t find them
They left before the sun came up that day
They just drove off and left it all behind ’em
But where were they going without ever
Knowing the way?

[Chorus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wfu3tOrtQ

Song-Lyric Sunday is brought to you by the lovely and talented Helen Espinosa. Click the link and learn how you, too, can join in! https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/song-lyric-sunday-oh-mother-by-christina-aguilera/

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Song-Lyric Sunday – On The Turning Away by Pink Floyd

I was lucky enough to see Pink Floyd live in Toronto, in the summer of 1994. It was an outdoor concert on a beautiful evening; a soft breeze blew and the music was absolutely heart-wrenchingly wonderful. I was about six months pregnant at the time, and the baby, my eldest son, did somersaults to the beat of the bass guitar. This was one of the songs they played.

I dream there will be a day when it’s no longer relevant. In the meantime, there is no better reminder.

Copied and pasted from AZLyrics.com:

“On The Turning Away”

On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won’t understand
“Don’t accept that what’s happening
Is just a case of others’ suffering
Or you’ll find that you’re joining in
The turning away”
It’s a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting it’s shroud
Over all we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we’re all alone
In the dream of the proud
On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord
Using words you will find are strange
Mesmerised as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night
No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside
Just a world that we all must share
It’s not enough just to stand and stare
Is it only a dream that there’ll be
No more turning away?
Lyrics: David Gilmour and Anthony Moore

This post is part of Song-Lyric Sunday! Click the link for all the details: https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/song-lyric-sunday-lost-in-darkness-by-escape-the-fate/ and join in Helen’s fantastic prompt!


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Song Lyric Sunday – Long Distance Call by Buck-Tick

Buck-Tick is a Japanese band who I was so impressed with right from the first time I heard them, that I’ve traveled to Japan to see them in concert. Twice, in the case of the lead singer, Sakurai Atsushi.

I thought I’d share the first song I ever heard of theirs. It’s called “Long Distance Call,” and was written about Mr. Sakurai’s mother and the last time he talked to her before she died. The band was out on the road, and he couldn’t get home to see her. Honestly, I don’t know how he keeps it together when he sings it.

Unfortunately I’m not able to copy and paste the lyrics. It’s sung in Japanese, but the translation is available; the lady who translates them prefers to have a link back to her site, which is here. However, if you watch the video, the subtitles are there and easy to read. You just have to click on the settings button (the cogged wheel) at the bottom of the video and you’ll see how to access them.

Enjoy.

This post is part of Song Lyric Sunday, brought to you by the lovely and talented Helen Espinosa at This Life One Word At A Time. Click here to see this week’s prompt, and join in!

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