There’s something magical about music. A person could stand on a stage and say the exact same words as the lyric of a song and it’ll do nothing to me. But add to those lyrics a melody and some music, and all of my defenses go out the window. I’m not sure if it’s embarrassing to say this, but good songs more than just about any other thing can turn on my waterworks.
Here are two examples, one old and one new, that are evocative and powerful poems for me. And as I mentioned before, they poetry is one thing but hearing them sung takes me to an entirely different level altogether. I’m particularly vulnerable to songs about love torn asunder and star-crossed lovers because, well honestly, I think that I’ve been there. To hear a sample of the song, click the title.
Jimmy Whelan (traditional, sung by Karan Casey)
One evening of late as I went a walking
Watching the sunbeams as evening drew nigh
‘Twas onwards I rambled and I spied a fair maiden
A weeping and a wailing with many’s a sigh
For one who is gone and now lies lonely
Lonely for one no mortal can tell
Her deep roaming waters roll swiftly around him
And the grass it lies green over young Jimmy’s grave
Oh Jimmy she cried now don’t go and leave me
Don’t go and leave me here for to mourn
Take me oh take along with you darling
Down to your grave and the cold silent tomb
My darling he said you are asking a favour
That no mortal on earth could grant onto thee
For death is the dagger that has torn us asunder
And wide is the grave love between you and me
For tis oft times you walk by the banks of the river
My spirit will watch you to guard and to keep
There will I hover and ever fly over
To protect my darling from the cold silent tomb
One fond embrace love and then I must leave you
One loving farewell and then we must part
Cold were the arms that encircled around her
And cold was the form she pressed to her heart
Then slowly he rose from the banks of the river
Up to the skies he then seem to go
Leaving this fair maid by the side of the water
A weeping and a wailing with many’s a sigh
Oh Jimmy she cried now don’t go and leave me
Don’t go and leave me here for to mourn
Take me oh take along with you darling
Down to your grave and the cold silent tomb
I don’t really know what the next song is about except for anguish and loss. But somehow, the last three lines are particularly powerful to me.
Worse than Pride (by Kieran Goss)
They were children playing games
Burnt their fingers in the flame
Flying high above the sky
Blinded by the vision in their eye
Too young to question why
Their destinies will coincide
She dressed in white just to be his bride
Love is worse than pride
Saw her fall down from the sky
And smile politely at the passers by
She knows it’s too late to go home
Built a house, she’s living on her own
It’s hard to be alone
And in the embers of the flame
Dressed in black she’s calling out his name
It isn’t worth the pain
If destinies won’t coincide
And you dress in black just to be his bride
Then love is worse than pride
I guess I don’t think of most people, especially men, as enjoying poetry. But I sure do. What are your thoughts on it?
Thanks,
-Kevin
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