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Folk Songs as Memory Triggers

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Today, I have been thinking of folk songs that recall the sentiment of anti-war protest and I can think of no more poignant an example than a song by contemporary songwriter, John McCutcheon, called “Christmas in the Trenches.” Perhaps, the inclement weather and the chill and rain have led me to think of this song that holds so much meaning. It is based on a true event of World War I. On Christmas Eve, 1914, both German and British troops took a brief respite from the war to share cigarettes, play soccer, and sing Christmas carols. In the morning, it was back to fighting as usual, but, with a new appreciation for the individuals involved. A new thought crossed their minds: Whose family members would be affected by any casualties?

When conflicts arise, the gang mentality grows into a “them or us” theme. Social isolation, shunning, and hatefulness are all part of the human plan to punish others. Solitary confinement, and isolation from comrades, in scary situations, such as being kept prisoner of war, can have serious mental consequences for the victim. It is easier for humans to persecute other people when those “others” are seen as “different than (us).” The dividing factors can be related to race, geographic location, religion, politics, or policy. Alternately, the dispute can be an inherited feud, like the Hatfields and McCoys.

Many folk songs that were written during the 1960s and 1970s carry a social message. Dylan’s “With God on Our Side,” is an example. “Carry It On,” is another social protest song. Joan Baez sang, “We are the children of darkness.” Indeed, with the Vietnam War hanging over our heads, it certainly seemed like a time of darkness. Music is oft used to convey personal interpretations of the current personal feelings of the masses. Any example of that is represented by the song that asks, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” shared right after 9-11.

To be memorable, a song must have one or more statements that can be accepted as universally true. In this case, the last two lines of “Christmas in the Trenches” serve well:

“Those who call the shots won’t be among the dead or lame; on each end of the rifle, we’re the same.”

I love this song, but moreover, I really like a current video on YouTube that features old photos that represent the scenes mentioned in the song. Here is a link, but if the link does not work, just key the song title into an Internet search engine, and with any luck, you will find this slice-of-life video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTXhZ4uR6rs

Patricia Cummings

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An Old Folk Song Evokes Memories

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

When I was a teenager, I used to go camping with my parents. They had a truck camper on a Ford pickup, and Dad would set up a tent for me and other members of the family who wanted to come along, or perhaps a girlfriend. One time, we were camping up north at White Lake State Park, a really nice place to swim and hike. Quite late at night, a couple of dudes pulled in on motorcycles. I was forbidden to take them up on their idea of my joining them on the back of a motorcycle the next day, but we ended up sitting around a campfire, singing and playing guitar every night until they moved on. One of them taught me a folksong.

Pat and Dad - 1960s

Me and Dad – 1960s

The song was an overview of life. One verse says, “It’s a long and a dusty road, It’s a hard and a heavy load, and the folks you meet, there are all kinds. Some are bad and some are good, some are doin’ the best they could, and some have tried to ease my troubled mind.” The chorus says, “And I can’t help but wonder where I’m bound, where I’m bound. Can’t help but wonder where I’m bound.”

At seventeen, I’d already met folks who were bad, and some who were good, and even some who were doin’ the best they could, and even at that time, I wondered where I was bound. Now, I have less questions, and more answers, because most of my life is an already-written chapter in the Book of Life.

I went to school, I was married in my early 20s and the next year was blessed with a son. My early adulthood was fraught with misery, due to one circumstance or another. I remarried when I was in my early 30s, have worked outside the home, in various capacities, and now, have settled into choosing my own work. You see, everything worked out. None of the adversity I went through killed me, even though at times, I imagined that I might not live through it. I lived long enough to see two grandchildren born, and I’m still here!

I no longer have great or grandiose plans. I no longer care about things that once took my interest. Along the way, I’ve discarded relationships that I could no longer tolerate, and I now ignore people who aggravate my spirit. I remember a more carefree time when I was willing to risk more, and even was willing to get on the back of a motorcycle of an unknown stranger just because I thought it would be ok.

Sometimes, I wonder what ever happened to those young men who sat around a campfire with me, all of us wondering where we were bound. I hope they had a good life. I know I have. Looking back now, I can safely say that I have no regrets. “… and still I’m on my way.”

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Music, Literature and the Arts and Their Importance

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Ever since I can remember, whenever times were lean, as they are now for many people, the first thought is to cut back on spending. Now, it is reasonable to think about that. All of us should have some kind of a budget plan, and trim excess spending wherever we can so that earnings = more than expenses, at the end of the month. This is not a lecture on saving money, however. Rather it is a commentary on wise spending of money when it comes to school budgets, and even personal spending.

Music and Art in the schools are always the first departments to receive cuts in funding. In my opinion, they should be the last to be compromised. Music and Art are exactly what are needed to energize us and to make life worthwhile. For children, training in music will always stand them in good stead, as will the practice of art and the knowledge of the masters. Yes, some of those students may become professional performers or practitioners. Culture needs music and art, plain and simple.

Civilization requires a knowledge of the past and it is always fun to look at the “History of Ideas,” a field of thought (academic discipline) that was developed by a friend of mine, Florence Petherick, Ph.D., (who has now passed on). She was fascinated by ideas, and their origins and development, over time. We are all interested in what other people say and that is the reason that many books of quotations are sold. FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Who wouldn’t remember that statement? There are many sayings, even old-time Yankee ones, that shape our thinking and help us to put things into perspective.

“A penny saved is a penny earned,” is one of those frequent remarks. What people do not realize is that in an inflationary economy, such as this one, it is not a good idea to hoard money. For me, personally, I would rather have a new book than a new piece of clothing. We all have our priorities. My point is this: Do not neglect music, art or literature because of the current financial state of the nation. In our own small way, we each need to encourage the arts, and our own knowledge of them, by continuing to buy books and also encourage our local libraries to acquire new educational materials. If you have the chance, vote for keeping music and arts in the schools!

A nice birthday gift that is easy to send is an amazon gift card in any amount from $10. to $500. that is redeemable at amazon.com or endless.com We are not always aware of someone’s taste in music or books, and the gift card allows them to choose what they would like. This is just a random thought that seems to fit in well with what I am thinking, this morning. Below, I have provided a link so that you can check out this idea for yourself.

Be well.

Patricia

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Music: Lyrics for Every Occasion

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Those gifted people who call themselves songwriters seem to have come up with a song for every occasion. On my Facebook page, I often post links to YouTube songs that have been within my musical awareness over the years. Just now, I remembered a Country-Western song called, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” by Steve Wariner. The song recalls the memory of an eight year old of his grandmother who had just died. He was wishing that she could be there to celebrate his birthday, but he just knew that there were holes in the floor of heaven and she was watching over him. In the many years I have heard this song, it always leaves me with tears streaming down my face, and that is the case today.

“In The Arms of the Angel” by Sarah McLaughlin, is another tune that is haunting for both its melody and its words – words with which most people could connect: “There’s always a reason to feel not good enough and it’s hard at the end of the day,” and “Everywhere you turn, there’s vultures and thieves at your back,” and “It’s easier to believe.” The song is also featured on YouTube. I’ve probably worn out the recording, listening to it so many times in the last day or so.

Folk songs always have universal meanings. They speak of war, of soldier’s returning maimed or not returning at all. They speak of Nature, as in the migration of Canadian Geese. They recall historical events like the sinking of the Titanic. They can be very patriotic. They recall LOVE, and being a star-crossed lover, a single woman, or someone who murders in the name of love spurned.

Any song can turn our heads or change our mood. Gospel songs can be lively and full of belief with a capital “B.” Other songs instruct: “Teach your children well … Feed them on your dreams.” When my father was being cared for at home, as he lay dying of cancer, my mother could often be heard singing, “Send in the Clowns” (usually sung by Judy Collins). It did seem to be an absurd situation that the man was just short of retirement when he was struck with the deadly disease, so crazy that if clowns showed up, it would be appropriate.

Songs with memorable lyrics stick around. “This Land is Your Land,” by Woody Guthrie will never go away. “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie provided a sense of levity at a time the country needed to laugh. “Camp Granada” will be remembered for its outrageous and totally funny lyrics.

I love music, in general, and did, after all, earn an “A” in a university class, “Music Appreciation,” that considered the classic works of Debussy, Bartok, Mozart and others. So, I consider myself “exposed” to the greats. When it comes down to my musical preferences now, more often than not, I like music with words. Lyrics teach, they celebrate, and they give us insight into the universal human condition. They can bring back a period of time, like the Civil War era, or World War II, or an early part of our own lives.

These days, when I think of a song, I like to access it on YouTube, to see if the tune is available. I can get a quick music “fix” and that is like giving a dog a bone, (nothing inferential intended).

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Andrea Boccelli – An Extraordinary Musician

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Andrea Boccelli has just created a Christmas music album. His voice is lovely and charming, with a slight Italian accent. He has appeared a number of times on public television, with his friend and promoter, David Foster, another terrific musician.

I know very little about Andrea, but I know enough to realize that he took a chance on himself and never let the fact of being blind hold him back. He goes wind sailing, and he has a son, according to what he shared in one interview. The scant information about his personal life is alright. His music speaks for itself.

Last night, he sang a number of songs that were nothing short of angelic-sounding. “The Lord’s Prayer” was one of them, and “Ave Maria” was another. He sang, “What Child Is This?,” a favorite Christmas classic. He is versatile in his choice of music, at once fervently religious, and then a romantic figure, singing with beautiful, young women.

I have been a fan for a long time. His voice is captivating. Here is a link to his latest album. From what I can tell, it’s lovely. Who could expect less?

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Points of Reference for the “Me” Generation

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Like it or not, the “hippies” of the “me” generation are aging. With our middle-aged looks and our graying hair, we have a certain common cultural literacy that is lost on people who are younger. Case in point, the other day, I mentioned the “Black pill” to a doctor who is very new to the profession. She is too young to know about “Mash” or to have made the connection. She said, “I could give you a red pill or a yellow one, but I don’t have any black ones.” She said it with such a straight face, I know that the reference was lost on her. Now, most anyone who ever watched the television show, “Mash,” would know that one of the characters was constantly wanting to give up and commit suicide, so he would say, “Doc, just give me the Black pill!” Everyone laughed. It was comic relief. We all understood what was meant. Like me, he was joking!

Another point of reference for the 1960s is Bob Dylan and his lyrics. The song, “The Times They Are A Changin’ ” and the song, “With God On Our Side” remain two of my favorite songs from the decade. Dylan has been called, “The Voice of a Generation,” a title he does not accept. In his mind, he just sang songs. He was not a spokesman for an entire generation, just himself. I can bet that he wrote music and sang because he had to, just like a quilter has to quilt, and a baker has to bake bread, and a writer … has to write! The artist in all of us will not be denied.

Dylan put into words what we “hippies” (or “straights”) could not. When I think today of all the obstructions to passing the current health care bill, Dylan’s words come to mind, – Get out of the way, if you can’t lend a hand – for the times, they are a’ changin’ -. When I think about our military involvements all over the world and our self-righteousness in meddling in state affairs of other nations, if our own interests are served, I think of the words “with God on our side.” Is He really? We are paying a price and that price is the loss of life, as is so painfully brought to our attention in the media, weekly.

Yes, the Vietnam War spawned its own group of social drop-outs, draft dodgers, and drug-popping individuals. We, that is, my generation, were young and innocent. Most of us had not yet made love. We were wet behind the ears! Many of us were students. I recall the midnight vigils at Thompson Hall at UNH, at which time students would stand before a crowd and take turns reading names from a long, long list of those young souls that had been killed in Vietnam, fighting for a war that none of us understood, no one wanted, and to this day, those who lived through the era, still do not fully fathom.

The point I would like you to take away is that built into the turmoil and the stress, young people were communicating within a vernacular of revived folk songs, and cultural understanding, even if that meant a reference to the “Black pill.” Language conveys understanding, but without common points of reference, we lose a chance to communicate.

One last thought: humor is severely-lacking today. We take ourselves far too seriously. This week, I hope that you will find something that makes you giggle, or chuckle, or slap your knee and emit a belly laugh from deep down inside. Certain situations in life require solemnity, but try to smile more. It’s contagious. Besides, this is your only chance. I’ve never seen a real skeleton grin.

Make it a great week!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Pat

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Christmas in a Small Town

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Musician and quilter, Ricky Tims, is a man who is blessed with many talents! Well, known for his “Caveman Style Quilting” and “Rhapsody Quilts,” Ricky has just written, produced and recorded a Christmas CD, in Nashville, with other musicians. If you want to feel happy, view his YouTube video that shows beautiful and peaceful scenes of his adopted small town, La Veta, Colorado. The title of the CD is “Christmas in a Small Town.”

Some of the songs will sound familiar to you, but they have been arranged in a new way by Ricky, who also served as conductor for recording sessions. He has been playing piano since he was very young, and majored in music. According to what I read, when his home town in TX was hit by a tornado, his parent’s home was flattened and all of the songs he had written during high school were blown away by the wind.

We are happy that his musical career did not end there. We are equally cheered by Ricky’s enthusiasm for the process of quilting and for all of his teaching, not to mention his co-ownership of the online entity known as The Quilt Show. We wish him every success with this exciting new album. The song, “Christmas in a Small Town,” is a treasure! Enjoy the video, and then, please think about ordering the CD. (No affiliation).

Patricia & James Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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The Age of the Castratos Captured by New Album

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

This morning, a friend brought to my attention a new musical CD that combines both history and some of the finest arias ever written. The artist is Cecilia Bartoli. She has done extensive research about young men who were castrated so that there voices would remain “high” forever, for the sake of the art. In mid-18th century, she says in one interview, 4,000 boys, annually, underwent this procedure in Italy. She has written a “Castrato Compendium” to explain more about this trend, and that accompanies her just published CD. In Italian, the plural of castrato is castrati.

In the words of the artist:

“The age of the castratos was one of the most dazzling and remarkable in European music history. Seldom has there ever been such a complete fusion of sensuousness and splendor, form and content, poetry and music, and, above all, such a perfection of vocal virtuosity, as was achieved in the glory days of the Baroque era. The legendary art of the castratos continues to exert its fascination even today, and despite the great human sacrifice it exacted, a new assessment of this extraordinary period is surely justified.” – Cecilia Bartoli

The cover of the album presents the strong image that the artist intended: a female head and a male body. Bartoli has an exquisite and well-trained voice and seems to have been the right person to have achieved this kind of historical exploration. With her many abilities, she certainly appears to present a true depiction of the time period.

In addition, Anne Rice has written a novel that includes details about the castratos of Venice and Naples.

Patricia Cummings

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The Change of Summer to Autumn in Song

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Some of my favorite songs speak of the profound change of the seasons at this time of year. We leave “Summer winds make me feel fine, glowing like a jasmine in my mind,” and turn to Joni Mitchell’s lyrics, “The warriors of winter give a cold, triumphant shout, All that stays is dying, all that lives is getting out.” She also speaks of the trees, standing in a naked row, an image I enjoy.

In high school, my Glee Club sang, “The autumn leaves drift past my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold.” I am sure there are many other song tributes to autumn, a time period we all anticipate eagerly, here in New England, and a time that is too soon past. After Columbus Day, when the tourists have left the state, we can begin to anticipate heavy rains and winds that knock off any remaining leaves, and signal a change to cold nights in which the heat must be turned on.

The palette of verdant green of leaves and trees, and pastels of flowers, quickly turns to browns of decaying leaves underfoot in the forest, and then to the familiar gray and white and black colors of winter. The snow is like a white-out, at times. And, when it ends, there is a lovely peacefulness that seems to descend as from heaven itself.

a view of winter - photo by James Cummings

A view of winter – photo by James Cummings

No wonder we eagerly await seed catalogs in January, a time that seems to be in the dead of winter and very far removed from outdoor blooming plants. “The farmer puts another “promise” in the ground,” are the words to another folk song.

At Christmas time, the holly and the ivy (also the name of a song) remind us of everlasting life, symbolically-speaking. These holly and its red berries retain their color throughout the winter months. Green represents eternity and Red can symbolize the loss of Christ’s blood on the cross. Colors can be so symbolic!

Autumn. So many changes are taking place. Animals that hibernate are searching out resting areas for the long winter. Bears will give birth in their dens, barely aware of what is happening. The “winter birds” such as the (gray) juncos and chickadees, will be heard and seen again, as will the woodpeckers who will make frequent trips to the suet hung again for them, from a lilac bush.

I have no quarrel with autumn or winter: they are seasons of introspection, a time to take stalk of one’s soul and one’s roots and to sort out again what is important in life. As a Christian, I have come to despise the commercialism and therefore, cheapening of a religious holiday, and so I dwell on my religious training as a child, and find those teachings more and more of a comfort in trying to make sense of an insane world. On Christmas, I tend to like to read Christmas stories and listen to music. With my family “gone,” taken away by death or indifference, my day is often spent in solitude, or with Jim, on holidays.

“I’ll stoke the fire with kindlin’, pull the blankets to my chin, I’ll keep the vagrant winter out and bolt my wanderings in.” – Joni Mitchell

Autumn and Winter – bring them on. I’ll be here, quilting, reading, writing, and loving my dear husband, who is as precious as a found jewel. Rejoice! The seasons are yet again changing, and life moves onward to its invisible, unforeseen, and inevitable conclusion.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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“Diamonds and Rust” and the Legacy of Joan Baez

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Joan Baez songbook cover

The image seen here is the cover of a Joan Baez songbook with 66 songs, music, and notations. I somehow ended up with two copies and therefore, will accept “best offer” on this one, if anyone is interested. Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com for details.

The 1960s: A Time of Turbulence/ A Time of Changing Music

When the fame of Joan Baez first hit, my oldest brother who was nine years older than me, bought her album with his own pocket money he earned by bagging groceries at a local grocery store. He was enamored of Joan’ beauty and her voice.

Shortly thereafter, he found a girlfriend who looked similar to her, with long black hair and brown eyes, slender of build. I felt it was not a coincidence.

Joan’s talents were God-given. What she did with those talents made history.

I have just been watching a summary of Joan’s life on Public Television. The documentary describes her as having a strong sense of right and wrong and acting accordingly. A sense of outrage about the “hideousness” (the murders, etc) of the Vietnam War, brought her to North Vietnam. The same sense of wanting the world’s people to “know that someone cares” sent her to Sarajevo where she sat in the middle of a street singing, “Amazing Grace.”

She felt that she might spend time in and out of prison for speaking out about such timely events of the day related to the draft and civil rights. She was thrown in jail a few times for civil disobedience. If people had a tenth of her gumption, much more social change might be happening today. Ah, but that is another story.

It is always fun to find out the end of someone’s life, or at least, the end thus far. To know that she married David Harris, but did not marry her great love, Bob Dylan, is a personal detail revealed in the film. Their marriage lasted from 1968-1973, during which Harris was mostly serving time in jail for being a draft protester. To know that she has a loving son, with whom she enjoys playing music, is another tidbit that speaks of her life as it is now. She is in her sixth decade of life.

I will always think of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and others of their generation as forever young. With the sheer courage of youth, they told America what America needed to hear at a time America needed to listen to their messages. Baez states that she was a political activist first, a musician, second. Dylan provided some of her meaningful words, and she played the guitar, rounding out their team presence.

To me, the words of the title of one song she plays, “Diamonds and Rust” are meaningful. Diamonds are selected for their brilliance and longevity. The truth is as pure and clean and long-lasting as a diamond. Lies we tell ourselves or other people are like rust. They corrode relationships; they sully our happiness.

To me, Joan Baez is a true “American Master” who is a diamond. We will never forget her, or her spirit in the face of adversity, as she sought social justice and peace in the world and in her personal life.

Even now, she is a strong, beautiful woman, changed yes, but one whose inner beauty still shines through in a quiet, reflective way of one who has led a full life.

I loved the PBS station’s TV special and this very intimate glimpse into the hardships and challenges that helped to shape the artist, Joan Baez, whom we continue to appreciate today.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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