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Creating Right Music for the Time?
"We shall overcome" became immortal as the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. With today's challenges, I wonder if someone with more musical talent than mine could build a memorable song around a majestic phrase. While the phrase I have in mind has always sent chills of pride and responsibility down my spine, I don't know how well it could be sung.
Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States
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Howard--just wrote out a proposed medley / composition idea, reached up to correct a letter and hit backspace. Launched me out of the window and stole all of my paragraphs.
This is a great idea. I'll try again later.
November 1, 2007 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I am adept in playing recordings, and, as my throat aged, managed to sing well enough that the dogs don't howl. (if necessary, I howl well enough to stun the dogs)
That's the extent of my musical talent.
--
Howard
*equal opportunity offense to both extremes*
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" [George Santayana]
November 1, 2007 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard, that's too clumsy of a phrase.
Start it with, "It's Brittany, bitch," and you got yourself a winner.
"Thank God George Bush is our president." -Rudy Giuliani
November 1, 2007 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm imagining more of a funeral march -- maybe just 'cause I have death on the brain today.
November 1, 2007 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard, I just noticed this! Good for you!!
Here's what came to my mind. Though I am not a fan of rap, I bet this would work best as rap. Not only that you might pull in the younger generations. And get them jiving to the Constitution. Maybe if somebody does a really good rap, they could work in important lines from the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address.
You never know! I might even take a crack at it myself.
Rap it - and get some rhythm going - and you've got a winner! (Try it - with rhythm)
Preserve. (rest) Protect (rest) and defend the Constitution (rest) (rest) of the United (rest) States!
That does it for the chorus. Then for the verses, take sentences from the Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address. And somehow rhyme things etc.
November 1, 2007 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder how "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." would translate into an Iraqi dialect of Arabic.
Not sure about rap; there is a solemnity about "We Shall Overcome" that contributes a great deal. I think I can avoid a novel spoiler by just mentioning that there is one where young Palestinians sit down at a forbidden area in Jerusalem, take on a Ghandiesque passive resistance to Israeli security forces, and sing "We Shall Overcome" in Arabic. A character observing this said he thought he saw the end of the Middle East conflict as we knew it.
--
Howard
*equal opportunity offense to both extremes*
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" [George Santayana]
November 1, 2007 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
maybe we need several versions.
but yes, interesting idea to have it in different languages.
And yes, "we shall overcome." Interesting how both rap and spirituals come from our black brethren!
I still think mine is very catchy - for the young folks!
solemnity is not necessarily for the young.... but you never know!
Peace!
November 1, 2007 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink