Song Lyric Sunday 7-3-16

I just discovered this great challenge.

https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/07/02/song-lyric-sunday-theme-for-7316/

It really caught my attention for a few reasons.

  1. I love music, especially lyrics. I actually USE them in my life, especially in my work.
  2. I love that a Mom in Utah takes her children to live music concerts!
  3. I love that the song she chose for today is by Midnight Oil, and that my husband’s band of many years plays it regularly!
  4. I am surrounded by live music in my personal life (partner, son, grandson, daughter-in-law, and many friends) and now my 2 grandsons (10 and 13) live with me so I really want to avoid that generation gap trap about music. I do not ever want to judge today’s music by my old standards. Β Michael's Pictures 013

Helen’s specific challenge today was to share the lyrics from a song at one of your very first live concerts. I wrote her and said that I could not actually remember if it was James Brown (with Fontella Bass “Rescue Me”) or Peter, Paul and Mary. Talk about opposites. If I had photos from those early concerts they would be perfect for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge theme-“Opposites”.

But the more I thought about it the more I realized the concert that really got to me back then was a Simon and Garfunkel show.

Recently my son, with whom I have always been in musical sync, sat me down and made me listen to a song on his elaborateΒ beyond my understanding, sound and visual system.

Coincidentally, it was the following song.

The Sound Of Silence (3:08)Β Β 
P. Simon, 1964

Hello darkness, my old friendΒ 
I’ve come to talk with you againΒ 
Because a vision softly creepingΒ 
Left its seeds while I was sleepingΒ 
And the vision that was planted in my brainΒ 
Still remainsΒ 
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked aloneΒ 
Narrow streets of cobblestoneΒ 
‘Neath the halo of a street lampΒ 
I turn my collar to the cold and dampΒ 
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon lightΒ 
That split the nightΒ 
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I sawΒ 
Ten thousand people maybe moreΒ 
People talking without speakingΒ 
People hearing without listeningΒ 
People writing songs that voices never sharedΒ 
No one daredΒ 
Disturb the sound of silence

“Fools,” said I, “you do not knowΒ 
Silence like a cancer growsΒ 
Hear my words that I might teach youΒ 
Take my arms that I might reach you”Β 
But my words like silent raindrops fellΒ 
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayedΒ 
To the neon god they madeΒ 
And the sign flashed out its warningΒ 
In the words that it was formingΒ 
And the sign said “The words of the prophets are written on the subway wallsΒ 
And tenement hallsΒ 
And whispered in the sound of silence

He made me listen twice, knowing that the first time through I should probably close my eyes as the video is pretty intense and might be distracting. I had no idea what was coming. (He was right. It was hard for this 68 year old not to assume things about the look of the singer orΒ the name of the band, as well as the visual images.) We listened together and were both in tears at the end, just from the sheer power of the artistry.

SO anyway, here’s what he played for me. Crank up the volume. Close your eyes. And stay with it to the end. You might be surprised!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4

 

Thanks. I hope it means something to you too.

Published by

choosingmyperspective

Thought a blog might help me develop better writing habits so I could finally finish my book, 16 years in the writing, but so far it's mostly photos and FUN!

12 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday 7-3-16”

  1. I love love love this version. I posted it myself for Song Lyric Sunday a few months ago. Mine was a beautiful story with my brother and his baby.

    Thank you so much for your words. You almost had me in tears! I feel the same way about the generation gap and I love that there are others out there who feel the same way. Well done!

    Like

    1. Wow, thanks! I’d love to see your post but I am still new enough I can barely find an old post of my own. How do I find yours? (And by the way, did I post mine the right way? I couldn’t get your picture to copy and I still don’t quite get Ping Backing.)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. This is the theme post that I usually throw up on Saturday afternoon: https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/07/02/song-lyric-sunday-theme-for-7316/

        And this was mine: https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/song-lyric-sunday-beds-are-burning-by-midnight-oil/

        It probably makes it easier to follow my blog so you will see it pop up on your reader, but it’s not necessary. You can always just check back on Saturday and Sunday.

        I found your post because the pingback worked, so you probably know more than you realize. πŸ™‚ Welcome again, and welcome to blogging! πŸ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I love this song and the video of it you chose to use. It sure brings back memories.

    I’m so glad you participated in this prompt because it gave me a chance to take part in it too!

    Like

  3. Isn’t it amazing how a song can completely transport us back to another time? I used to listen to the entire album while lying on my brother’s bed (he had a great sound system hooked up in his room and I would sneak in there when he was at work) while I watched the rain saturating the neighborhood and pouring out of the gutters on the house next door. I’ve been listening to this version for a few months now on Sirius radio but had not seen the video so I completely ignored your instructions, watched it…..and loved it! Proving that even though I’m an “old dog” I can still learn to appreciate new interpretations!

    Like

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