#204 Musings from the Bunker 10/3/20
Greetings and Happy Weekend!
Again, Saturday is devoted to poetry and music.
This week’s poetry is in the form of the lyrics of a tune sung at the memorial service for Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week. Thank you, David Lash, for pointing to this beautiful piece.
POETRY
American Anthem - By Gene Scheer
All we’ve been given
By those who came before
The dream of a nation
Where freedom would endure
The work and prayers
Of centuries
Have brought us to this day
What shall be our legacy?
What will our children say?
Let them say of meI was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you
Each generation from the plains
To distant shore with the gifts
What they were given
Were determined
To leave more
Valiant battles fought together
Acts of conscience fought alone
These are the seeds
From which America has grown
Let them say of meI was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you
For those who think
They have nothing to share
Who fear in their hearts
There is no hero there
Know each quiet act
Of dignity is
That which fortifies
The soul of a nation
That never dies
Let them say of meI was one who believed
In sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America
America
I gave my best to you
MUSIC
For music, I love these “Tiny Desk Concerts.”
Here, also, is a wonderful at-home rendition of Smile, from Lady Gaga. Smile was written by Charlie Chaplin and was a favorite of Jerry Lewis. Lovely.
Norah Jones in an NPR “Tiny Desk Concert”: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/17/902352710/norah-jones-tiny-desk-home-concert
Lady Gaga performing "Smile” from home:
BONUS TRACKS Here is Norah Jones, singing “American Anthem” in Ken Burns’s “The War,” with a collage of WWII scenes:
http://genescheer.com/project/american-anthem/?et_rid=684854095&s_campaign=fastforward:newsletter.
And here is Mezzo-Soprano Denyce Graves, friend of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, singing the tune:
Keep smiling,
Glenn