Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Fourth of July






 AMERICAN TUNE 
 (words by Paul Simon music by JS Bach) 

Many's the time I've been mistaken, 
And many times confused 
And I've often felt forsaken, 
And certainly misused. 
But it's all right, it's all right, 
I'm just weary to my bones 
Still, you don't expect to be 
Bright and Bon Vivant 
So far away from home, 
So far away from home. 

 I don't know a soul who's not been battered 
 Don't have a friend who feels at ease 
 Don't know a dream that's not been shattered 
 Or driven to its knees. 
 But it's all right, all right, 
 We've lived so well so long 
 Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on, 
 I wonder what went wrong, 
 I can't help it I wonder what went wrong. 

 And I dreamed I was flying. 
 I dreamed my soul rose unexpectedly, 
 And looking back down on me, 
 Smiled reassuringly, 
 And I dreamed I was dying. 
 And far above, my eyes could clearly see 
 The Statue of Liberty, 
 Drifting away to sea 
 And I dreamed I was flying. 

 We come on a ship we call the Mayflower, 
 We come on a ship that sailed the moon 
 We come at the age's most uncertain hour 
 And sing the American tune 
 But it's all right, it's all right 
 You can't be forever blessed 
 Still, tomorrow's gonna be another working day 
 And I'm trying to get some rest, 
 That's all, I'm trying to get some rest.



21 comments:

Les Carpenter said...

The more things change the more it seems they stay the same...

... and so is was with the Woodstock Generation.

Change indeed is the one thing we can be certain of... Except perhaps when it comes to the nature of human existence.

"Still, tomorrow's gonna be another working day..."

Anonymous said...

Love Paul Simon!

FreeThinke said...

Frankly, the petulant, whiny, crybaby tone of those words is irksome -- especially when posted in juxtaposition to Independence Day, which is supposed to be a time set aside for rejoicing and the expression of gratitude.

I doubt very much if it has ever occurred to anyone of Simon's ilk to fee; gratitude or reverence for anything.

The American "children" -- and believe me that is just what they were -- a spoiled, infantile, demanding, undeveloped, untried, easily-manipulated, arrogantly-opinionated gaggle of audacious jerks with a huge entitlement mentality who for the most part had been raised to believe their every wish should be regarded as everyone else's command.

Did Paul Simon and others of his depressing turn of mind ever stop for one bleeding instant to consider the immense hardships endured by the Early Settlers - the Slaves and Indentured Servants brought here against their will - the Revolutionary Army - the Pioneers - the early victims of the Industrial Revolution - the Soldiers and their families who fought on both sides of the Civil War - the victim-Soldiers duped into fighting World War One by Woodrow Wilson - the victims of The Great Depression - the Dustbowl - the victims of World War Two - on both sides - Korea - Vietnam - Iraq - Afghanistan - the billions Victims of poverty, disease, privation, brute savagery, despotism, and hopeless ignorance that inhabit most of the world outside this blessed country of ours?

It absolutely infuriates me that a snivelling, mopey-faced little whiner like Paul Simon -- or ANY of the howling, bawling, stomping, whining, droning quasi-musical garbage that has polluted American cultural life since the advent of that regrettable era known as the SICK-STIES -- should be featured as though it had even a pretension of relevance to our most important national holiday.

I'm sorry, but that is an honest reaction to the way this item struck me.

I sincerely hope that you, your family and friends may find cause for rejoicing and have a HAPPY FOURTH of JULY.

It's NOT the right occasion to stage a PITY PARTY -- especially one that smacks so pathetically of SELF pity.

Shaw Kenawe said...

Two nights ago our local PBS station featured a documentary on the Statue of Liberty; and at the end of the presentation, Paul Simon's "American Tune" was featured as an aerial view of the statue was shown.

I thought it was beautiful, and that Simon's song expressed how the Statue of Liberty lifted immigrants' spirits and gave them hope as they entered the harbor to the new world, a new life, and freedom.

I'm sorry this simple and lovely tune and its sentiments were lost on you and misunderstood and that it released such anger and misanthropy.

Perhaps that existential anger and detestation that goes with it is what Simon hinted at in the song.

It's something a lot of Americans carry around in them, especially those who continuously fight and disparage change in all aspects of life, as well as cultural shifts that they don't like or understand.

In 2001, Simon was honored as MusiCares Person Of The Year. The following year, he was one of the five recipients of the annual Kennedy Center Honors, the nation's highest tribute to performing and cultural artists.



"In 2006, Simon was selected by Time Magazine as one of the "100 People Who Shaped the World."

In 2007, Simon received the first annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Named in honor of George and Ira Gershwin, this new award recognizes the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture.



In 2010, Simon received an honorary degree from Brandeis University, where he performed "The Boxer" at the main commencement ceremony.




In October 2011, Simon was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Science. At the induction ceremony, he performed "American Tune."

In 2012, Simon was awarded the Polar Music Prize, shared with Yo-Yo Ma."


So you see, not everyone shares your disgust and hatred of this fine American songwriter.

For me, and millions like me, he was part of my youth; and, unlike you, I am grateful for the contributions he's made to our culture.

Shaw Kenawe said...

In addition, Mr. Simon has helped other musicians and young people interested in music. His talent doesn't end at writing and performing songs:

"Simon is a proponent of music education for children. In 1970, after recording his "Bridge Over Troubled Water," at the invitation of the NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Simon held auditions for a young songwriter's workshop. Advertised in the Village Voice, the auditions brought hundreds of hopefuls to perform for Simon. Among the six teenage songwriters Simon selected for tutelage were Melissa Manchester, Tommy Mandel and rock/beat poet Joe Linus, with Maggie and Terre Roche (the Roche Sisters), who later sang back-up for Simon, joining the workshop in progress through an impromptu appearance.

Simon invited the six teens to experience recording at Columbia studios with engineer Roy Halee at the board. During these sessions, Bob Dylan was downstairs recording the album Self-Portrait, which included a version of Simon's "The Boxer". Violinist Isaac Stern also visited the group with a CBS film crew, speaking to the young musicians about lyrics and music after Joe Linus performed his song "Circus Lion" for Stern.

Manchester later paid homage to Simon, on her recorded song, "Ode to Paul." Other younger musicians Simon has mentored include Nick Laird-Clowes, who later co-founded the band The Dream Academy. Laird-Clowes has credited Simon with helping to shape the band's biggest hit, "Life in a Northern Town".[53]

In 2003, Simon signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and free lessons to children in public schools throughout the US. He sits on the organization's board of directors as an honorary member.

Simon is also a major benefactor and one of the co-founders, with Dr. Irwin Redlener, of the Children's Health Project and The Children's Health Fund which started by creating specially equipped "buses" to take medical care to children in medically underserved areas, urban and rural.

Their first bus was in the impoverished South Bronx of New York City, but they now operate in 12 states, including on the Gulf Coast. It has expanded greatly, partnering with major hospitals, local public schools and medical schools and advocating policy for children's health and medical care.

In May 2012, Paul Simon performed at a benefit dinner for the Turkana Basin Institute in New York City, raising more than $2 million for Richard Leakey's research institute in Africa.

Leslie Parsley said...

I don't know which I like most: the post itself or Shaw's responses to "FreeThinke" -- how strange that a fright winger would name their blog "FreeThinke".

Anonymous said...

free stinke wrote a particularly nasty, mean-spirited comment on your 4th of July post shaw...it all boils down to his not wanting to leave the 1950s...as though all cultures advance by staying stuck in one era...he appears to be a perfect example of everything that is wrong with the fright-wingers...they hate everything they don't understand...and believe what they experienced in the old days was the best this country had to offer...forgetting how repressive those days were for everyone but white privileged males...happily their kind is fading out...

TC said...

I respect the soldiers for their bravery and their utopian ideal of what they think America is and WHY they think they are fighting. Freedom in part, yes, but is it freedom to live your life as you you want or freedom from the burden of questioning their own government... brainwashing takes time and our government has done an excellent job of it the past 50 years. The SICK STIES generation were the only ones who have had the balls to actually get in the streets and demand answers and put the power back where it belongs WITH the people. I hate to think where this country would be without the 60's generation. We have since become a bunch of apathetic followers of MSM. As long as we have our toys and remote controls we remain Ostriches

Ducky's here said...

Well Freethinker, we can still take some hope from the song and the benefits of realizing we took a few wrong turns.

Who knows, maybe we can get a little rest and take a page from the Egyptians.

Robert M. said...


On a day when everyone's supposed to be of good cheer, Free Thinke decides to foul your blog because he doesn't like Paul Simon's song or the sixties? Did it ever occur to him to just not listen to the music or read the lyrics and move along?

No one forced him to come here and unload his anger and incivility.

Isn't this the same guy who hosted a hate week when all of his conservative friends had a great time hating on you, shaw? Supposedly he was teaching them a lesson? Some lesson they learned, eh?

These people are toxic. Hang around with them and they'll fill you with their poison.

Your 4th of July post was touching. Paul Simon is a respected songwriter and musician. Too bad there are nasty and hateful people who enjoy tearing down others they don't understand or know anything about.

Thank you for a nice tribute to America. I appreciate what you shared.

Paul Simon is a gentleman; something FT knows nothing about.

FreeThinke said...

To My Detractors:

Oh I UNDERSTAND the contribution all right -- only too well -- and that is precisely why I have such a big a problem with it.

That this miserable sort of whiny, limp-wristed tripe, which -- since I am after all a bona fide music scholar -- I described perfectly, has gained such recognition as to be honored by the "The New Establishment" only lends more credence and powerful support to my position.

What many today, apparently, fail to understand is that "CHANGE" is not necessarily synonymous with "PROGRESS," and that "UNDERSTANDING" does not necessarily include "ACCEPTANCE."

I would cheerfully embrace the far more radical, far more complex, far more passionate, far more mysterious, far more brilliant, challenging and honestly expressive of CHARLES IVES than I would this weak and watery musical cousin of the pusillanimous protest pap churned out in the SICK-STIES by the Pete Seeger and Joan Baez.

I have little or no respect for the institutions and critics who "honor" the likes of Paul Simon, and regard him as any kind of "major" influence.

As one of my beloved former teachers said, when I was disappointed at the outcome of a long ago high school popularity contest:

"My dear boy, someday you will learn that to be liked by a certain kind of people would to you be a positive insult."

I did not understand what she meant at the time, but I certainly do now.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Les Carpenter said...

Personally I think the finest works of art produced by Paul Simon occurred while he was associated with and preforming with Art Garfunkel. Perhaps it was the 60's thing going on but hey, we all have out references.

Simon and Garfunkel produced some of the finest music ever during the late 60's in IMNHO, Mr. FreeThinke's opinion notwithstanding of course.

Paul Simon's and Art Garfunkel's music (and lyrics) touched a generation (as did John Lennon's and others) and helped us think about long held beliefs, or paradigms if you prefer.

The purpose? To force us to challenge our comfort zone and look at alternative ways of viewing things. Only by doing this can we be confident our views carry validity. Of course doing so requires that one have an active and inquisitive mind... Sadly few apparently do. Those who do are typically considered independents. Or more accurately stated Independent Thinkers.

@FreeThinke... I understand your view, and I know you are a intelligent as well as educated individual. There is some truth in what you say, however the way in which you present your views is somewhat abrasive and even overly judgmental when it need not be.

Thinking outside the suffocating restrictive box of long held beliefs, or accepted paradigms can be threatening. Bit as I think about it Copernicus, Newton, Galileo, Pasteur, Einstein, and many others who pushed the envelope of knowledge were responsible for huge societal advancements. All that no one today wold criticize or fault. Why would the gifted in the field of the arts be any different?

I only ask the question FreeThinke. It is of course up to you to consider and ultimately answer.

I remember vividly the power of mirrors. If one on;y looks.

Shaw Kenawe said...

My nephew, Michael Kelley, is a graduate of The Walnut Hill School for the Arts and has received degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and The Juilliard School.

His teachers have included Leonard Matczynski, Jeffrey Irvine, and Karen Tuttle. A prize winner at the Primrose International Viola Competition at the age of 18, Mike is currently violist of the Apple Hill String Quartet and has been an artist-in-residence at Apple Hill since 1996.

He is the Music Coordinator for Apple Hill’s Summer Chamber Music Workshop, where he directs sessions, performs concerts, and coaches chamber music throughout the summer.

An active composer, Mike has been a Teaching Fellow in Electronic Music at the Juilliard School, has written music for everyone from Madison Square Garden to Yale University, and frequently gives lectures/ demonstrations on the subject of creating electronic music. '

As disco-pop singer, Kelley Polar, he has performed at major European pop-rock music festivals and in club venues worldwide, collaborating with many groups including the Junior Boys, Metro Area, and Bomb the Bass. His albums have recently been selected for the 'best of the decade' lists of music magazines Stylus and Fact, and have been highly recommended by Entertainment Weekly, Spin, and the Guardian.

Mike is an accomplished classical musician and also, as is stated above and in the link, composes contemporary pop-rock-disco music.

It IS possible to be proficient at both and to compose "outside the box."

I have listened to Mike's music, and I do not personally care for it, but that doesn't mean it stinks, it means I am not of his generation, and that music just doesn't appeal to me.

And this is his sister, my niece.

Both my niece and nephew are classically trained musicians and both have made successful careers in pop music.

Here's more on Bevin.

Just as an aside, both of these talented musicians appreciate the artistry of Paul Simon.

So, you see, there are differing opinions.






Shaw Kenawe said...

Oh, and one more:

This is Mike's and Bevin's cousin, Gavin Russom, also on the cutting edge of electronic music.

Ducky's here said...

It's a big world, Freethinker.
As D. H. Lawrence said in "Mountain Lion":
"And I think in this empty world there was room for me and a mountain lion."

There's room for Paul Simon and Ives, Bach and Coltrane, Hank Williams and Schubert, Robert Johnson and Joan Sutherland.

It's a big world and your refined taste does it a disservice by shrinking it.

Ducky's here said...

"The purpose? To force us to challenge our comfort zone and look at alternative ways of viewing things. Only by doing this can we be confident our views carry validity."

You ever been a street photographer, RN?

FreeThinke said...

Thank you for posting my remarks, Ms Shaw. I'm sure -- knowing you as I think I do -- that you did not take my opinion as any kind of personal attack. You know I am much too fond and respectful of you for that -- I hope.

Just because sme of our basic beliefs and convictions are anything but congruent should not mean that we can't be friends.

I am sorry that many of your "regulars" here still want to believe that "Hate Week" over at my place (May it R.I.P! (:-c) was all about insulting you. I know YOU know that is not so, and have been kind enough to say so more than once.

It was -- as you just indicated -- an opportunity for posters of any and all persuasions to see themselves in a "mirror."

It astonished me that the vast majority simply could not recognize themselves when confronted with an unflattering image, although why that should surprise me at his stage of the game, I can't imagine. I ought to have known better, but Hope springs eternal. AHEM!

For anyone interested: You might want to know I, personally, received far more "hate mail," from many who think of themselves as "conservative" than I did from the opposite camp, though I certainly "got it" from all sides.

I am quite sure there are TWO basic reasons for liking or embracing particular cultural manifestations.

1. NOSTALGIA. It reminds one of home, youth, the good old days, the dear and familiar, and evokes the atmosphere of a bygone era in which one was, perhaps, happier or healthier than the present.

2. LOVE for and UNDERSTANDING of the great BEAUTY and UNIVERSAL APPEAL of timeless musical Art of time tested significance -- or any other kind of Art for that matter. It needn't be Music alone.

You know, I'm sure, that Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and all the rest of their extraordinarily rarified kind will never go out of style, as long as Civilization, itself, survives.

On the other hand, singers like Doris Day, for instance, -- or Dorothy Collins, Giselle Mackenzie, Russell Armes, and Snooky Lanson (the old Your Hit Parade gang!), -- or Perry Como, Kate Smith, Betty Hutton, Bing Crosby, Tony Martin, Helen O'Connell, Bea Wain, Margaret Whiting, The Andrews Sisters, Rosemary Clooney, -- and so many more movie, juke box and TV favorites from the past -- are now considered "old hat" -- "passé" -- "out of it" -- "moldy old stuff from Grandpa's time."

I still like most of that stuff, though I know full well it is not Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc, or Hugo Wolf, et. al. and should never be placed on the same "tier."

The reason I enjoy all that antique pop music is largely nostalgia. It has little to do with the intrinsic artistic value of that music.

Don't know whether anyone else will catch my drift, Ms. Shaw, but I reasonably certain that you understand what I am driving at, and that is enough to satisfy me on this grungy, gray, rainy, steamy Independence Day. (ALAS! There will be no fireworks here this evening! ;-)

Let us hope you are having a wonderful time on the Cape enjoying an old-fashioned clam bake with family and friends -- or something even better.

Les Carpenter said...

Wedding and portrait photographer ducky old chap.

KP said...

I happened to be listening to "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Art Garfunkel, when I read this article and comments.

So peaceful.

"Tip peace".

A mellow saying from the 70s depicting a longboard surfer hanging some toes while giving the peace sign.

Happy Independence Day!

Dervish Sanders said...

Just read this on Wikipedia...

In late October 2008, the progressive advocacy group Progressive Future produced a 60-second television ad featuring "American Tune" in support of Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The "what's gone wrong" line underscored a photo of President George W. Bush and Obama's opponent John McCain standing close together.

LOL. I didn't know that.

Rusty Shackelford said...



Oh boy.....the nut job throws his two cents in....in his next comment he will be talking how the CIA and american mafia plotted to kill Paul Simon.....or Bush tried to have Simon silenced.