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And we’re back! Day 32!
So many songs conjure up stories for me. I could come to Leigh Anne’s Music Festival many times, but I come today with these songs that reminded me of small stories of my childhood.
“Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie” by Don McLean, 1971
When I was in eighth grade, Ms. Andrews was my English teacher. We were reading the novel Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. The story of Charlie Gordon pulled out feelings of empathy and sadness that I had never experienced before. At the same time we were reading the book, the song “Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie” by Don McLean came out. For no lyric or rational reason, but just a matter of the heart, when I heard the song, I thought of Charlie Gordon. I still do to this day; the song brings me back to eighth grade and this important novel we read.
This song also inspired the poem in my chapter in Words That Mend: The Transformative Power of Writing Poetry for Teachers, Students, and Community Wellbeing. (The link goes to a free download of the book.)
“The Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, 1964
I have never been much of a consumer of music, but when I was a freshman in high school, I received the album The Sounds of Silence for my birthday. It wasn’t a new album, but it was still popular, if I remember correctly. I had a record player in my room, and I listened to this album continually. Other the years, I did buy a few singles (45s) of other artists, but I never bought or received another album.
“America, the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates, 1895
Every day in third grade, Mrs. Gaffney’s class said the pledge of allegiance and then we were all trained to break into singing the first stanza and chorus of “America, the Beautiful.” It’s a familiar song for people my age. I recently had an experience at a rally on President’s Day (Not My President Protest) in Palm Springs. One of the first things we did was sing “America the Beautiful.” I was touched and a little choked up singing that song with this unlikely group. Patriot protestors taking the flag back.
Patriotism
shines through warriors under
Mother’s spacious sky
This seems like a good time in our nation’s history to learn another verse from Bates’ prophetic poem:
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
I knew there were more verses to Bates’ poem, but that verse is so right for today that it is almost scary. I was recently telling my kids that I sang a patriotic song every morning of 3rd grade in Mrs. Buchannan’s class. They don’t know any of them, but I’m on a mission to change that!
This slice is music to my ears. I remember singing the “Sound of Silence” in chorus. Your past and recent encounter with “America, the Beautiful” is touching. Thank you!
I loved getting a glimpses of your life through music! Well done slice!
I have not yet joined the after party, but some day I will. I love hearing the stories behind your choices.
I missed the music invite also, but relish seeing your response. Music sure does bring associations. Sometimes to a time, or a connection, a mood, a period of our life. And sometimes the poetry is what gets to us. I also am grateful to learn that verse of America the Beautiful! And Shawnda’s comment has me wondering about what songs kids are learning, and then if they learn more than the first verse!
Denise,
I’ve always thought Americas the Beautiful would be a better national anthem than the war song, which is among the worst national anthems. Your other choices are excellent, too. American Pie always makes me think of my dad. He was so sick when that song became popular.
Denise, the songs you chose bring back memories to me. We sometimes sing America the Beautiful in church especially on holidays. It is always moving.
You say that you, “…have never been much of a consumer of music,” and yet you write lyrical poetry all the time, those words that carry music with each line—your haiku, for example. You have got me thinking about the soundtrack to my life, the songs that come with stories, and the poetry they invite: “Hello, Darkness, my old friend,/I’ve come to talk with you again…” (I may have to write about music and poetry today. Thanks, Denise.)
Great song choices and the stories like the record player…sigh….I actually saved up for THAT Simon and Garfunkel album that was quite pricey for its day! Thank you for the memories
I love all of your picks. I wish “America the Beautiful” was our national anthem.
Now that people are joining the party, it is fun to read the stories connected to the songs. American Pie was on some walking music that I listened to for years. I may or may not tell you it was on a cassette tape! Thanks for joining the party…or the after party!
Thanks for the verse from Bates poem. A good one for today. I seemed to have missed the whole music festival thing today. I was on the road. Maybe I should hunt for all the road songs. This was fun to go through.