Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song

Subject: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 07:46 PM

Do you remember the movie Fahrenheit 451? It told the story of a future culture who burned all the books, 451 degrees being the kindling temp of paper. The "rebels" in the story lived out and away from the city and each member memorized a book to pass on to future generations until perhaps the time came when things would change.

So here's the deal...............

All music is outlawed and we are the rebels here at the Mudcat. Many of us know more than one song obviously, but we must be secretive to avoid attack and the loss of our little colony.......SO........Each one is responsible to know and perform ONE SONG to pass on, including its history and significance and meaning. This does NOT have to be the most significant song of all time, just one YOU feel should be kept alive.

GOOD LUCK FELLOW REBELS....AND MAY THE SONG BE WITH YOU!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Dee45
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 08:51 PM

I love the concept here 'Spaw.

One song is pretty difficult, but I'll stake my claim on Doc's version of Deep River Blues which is a derivative of Rabon and Alton Delmore's Big River Blues.

Doc's early flatpicking was inspired by Rabon's hot lead playing on a tenor guitar (a Martin O-17T I believe) and over time he adapted it into the fingerpicking classic "Deep River Blues". I think this is one worth preserving and I think I may have to put a version of Doc performing it (vocals and all) on a micro CD, (concealed in my key chain) because nothing can mimic the voice he lends to this song.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 08:53 PM

And we're off, with a solid and thoughtful choice from Dee45. I like your reasoning on this one and it shows a lot of elements to those "future generations."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Dee45
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 09:09 PM

One more wee tid bit of trivia regarding my previous post. Alton Delmore an extremely prolific song writer, was also responsible for teaching Merle Travis to read music.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: bflat
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 09:31 PM

I'd like to pick a zipper song. Specifically, "We Shall Not Be Moved." In carrying this song forward to future generations, a concept of lyric substitution would be passed along and of course, the inherent message of peaceful unification and demonstration for equality is a most compelling and powerful reason for my selection.

I really like this. Kind of a premptive time capsule.

bflat

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 06:04 AM

Good thought bflat.....Again, an interesting pick!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 04:41 PM

Aw c'mon guys.....I thought this one would not only be a little fun, but require a little thought on several levels.....I may have been wrong. Its not a best song ever....just a good one to save to aid the future generations, like b said, a little time capsule. I'll give it another chance or two.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Mbo
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:03 PM

To Be A Man by Boston.

--Matt

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:09 PM

That's an excellent choice Matt, really it is. The thought and sentiment expressed is more than music and more than philosophy....the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, and well worth passing on.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:18 PM

It is spaw, it is. I'm just thinking hard about my choice. I don't have many lyrics in the Old File cabinet of a brain, so I'll have to pick something REALLY simple, that also has perhaps, an ulterior motive........still thinking...............

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 06:46 PM

OK, OK, I think I've got it--"Follow the Drinkin' Gourd", it's a lovely plaintive melody, that I can kinda sorta sing, and it means something--it's an important part of US history.........(what happens if I think of another one later?)

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 06:55 PM

Well, it might seem simplistic, but one I know I will never forget and that people would always have a need for, at least in their hearts, is the Prairie Lullaby...kids will still need to be sung to sleep and rock-a-byed, I hope...

Very KEWL idea and thread, Spaw. Do we get to come back with second suggestions and, uh-oh, were we supposed to be in character? That would be fun...

I am out in the middle of the former state of Why-Oh-Myn....now a vast wasteland, with dead drilling rigs and ghosttowns littering the horizon. Nothing stirs, no buffalo left, not even a horned toad lizard.

A few of us live up against the mountains in the quartz crystal caves which survived...we venture out for food gathering and once in a while to meet with those from other outposts, once we've decided they are safe to meet.

Then, we have a small feast around the campfires burning and we post guards to watch the skies for those who seek to destroy our knowledge. In low tones, we each go round, intoning the words of pasts forgotten by most, remembered and passed on by the few...tonight I start off with the soft lilt of the lully my mother always sang to me...Tumble in bed, my tired little sleepyhead...

A chill runs through the gathering as we hear a whirr in the distance. We hurry to cover the fires and run for the caves, the last vibrations of the tunes shimmering in the air, then dropping down to almost inaudible whispers of ancestors telling us to "remember..don't let the songs die."

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 07:18 PM

Sorcha---If you hadn't picked that one, it was going to get picked I think. Good choice.

kat......Exactly what I expected!!! And you have a good reasoning thought behind it. I love your set-up...makes the "rebel life" a bit romantic!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 07:51 PM

hmmm...very much like questions about "what's your favorite song?"...or "What would you take to a desert island?"...REAL hard!

Maybe I'd just do a short, poignant ballad about the human condition..."The Twa Corbies"...........and I'll change my mind tomorrow...(it would be far easier if I were assigned one!)

And, you know, I never liked that movie much...can't say exactly why. Too much like the Third Reich, I guess

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:02 PM

I wasn't a big fan of the movie either Bill as it had a third Reich about it as you say...but that's what made the concept here so interesting to me. We've done lots of lists, b this doesn't have to be the best or most significant song...maybe just a pretty one or one with some "learning" orusefulness in it....no criteria at all. And how would you feel if you were assigned a nice Oasis tune? (DON'T JUMP MEEBO---ITS A JOKE)

BUT REMEMBER--YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE!!! Don't want to get caught and dessimated before we can overthrow the scoundrels.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Mbo
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:06 PM

If I was going to choose an Oasis song (glad you used the word "nice") it would be "D'yer Wanna Be a Spaceman" a beautiful song about growing up and the loss of childhood innocence.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Pene Azul
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:07 PM

Members of future generations are bound to sometimes want to feel the blues deep down in their souls. If we keep one nice hard driving blues song alive, then many more are bound to follow. After all, the blues is all about expression. Once you have it inside of you, some it's gonna need to get out. There are many I could choose here, but how about Little Walter's "Blues With A Feeling."

Jeff

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:18 PM

PA got a good idea!! You go, mon! And, as always, I liked Bradbury's book much better than the movie. I guess the reason I did like it was because it seemed so plausible, and therefore VERY SCARY!! Of course, Bradbury could make anything seem plausible..........

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:51 PM

Gee, Spaw, you put me on the spot. I mean, I've been a Bradbury fan since I was eight, and this is very important to me. Two songs came to my head right off, and now I can't think of any others. It always happens that way to me. When I'm called upon to say something profound, my head fills up with only the most inane ideas.
So, I'm just going to sit back and listen, because the only songs in my head right now are these:

Now it's time to say goodbye
To all our company...
M-I-C-K-E-Y...
M-O-U-S-E.

And the other one is:

Why-o, why-o, why-o
Why did I EVER leave Ohio...

Oh, and the other one that's clogging my head right now is this one (click). I warned you.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:00 PM

Oh, Joe!! LOL! LOLOLOL!! too funny..........(Bradbury taught me plausible/scary, Asimov was the only one who could teach me maths, now that's scary isn't it?)

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Mbo
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:03 PM

I thought Kurt Vonnegut wrote "Fahrenheit 451"?

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:07 PM

Mbo, me boy, you have much to learn...

Vonnegut did good stuff, too, though.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:16 PM

Sorry, but I'm ROTF here Joe!!! Now listen, you can only have ONE....and when the fever breaks, I hope its not one of those.............Major Tom!!!......I'm dyin' here..........What can I use to get the mess off my screen and keyboard?.........Major Tom............gimmee peace............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:17 PM

Just found this and have to give it some thought.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 10:43 PM

no, no, Mbo. Vonnegut did Cat's Cradle, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Mothernight, and others, but Ray did 451. Trust Uncle Joe and I on this. Asimov did Stranger in a Strange Land, and the I Robot series, as well as LOTS of other fiction and the non fiction that convinced me that the Maths were, indeed, correct.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 10:54 PM

Guess the one I'd want to pass on would be Jerry Rasmussen's "Handful of Songs" with it's wonderful chorus.

"Some may leave money from a lifetime of savin'

Some just their name on a marble stone.

It's not what you leave, it's the joy of rememberin'

All I can leave you is a handful of songs."

Rick

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 11:37 PM

Excellent choice, Rick, and very fitting, esp. with you or Art singing it!

So Spaw...I tried, darlin'...nobody wants to Only make believe I love you....Only make believe that you love me, We could find pece of mind in pretending....

C'mon people...add some background, some reasons, some drama...this could be one of those classic ones...it's got potential...let's see if this baby can fly!!!

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Mark Clark
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 02:36 AM

Okay, I'm going to remember "Song Of My Hands" and teach it to my children and their children. I think Paul Robeson used to sing it though I've never found a recording. It does appear to be included in the Bear (#15720) 10 CD boxed set called "Songs For Political Action" available through Camsco. The artist there is Bernie Asbel. I'll buy the set as soon as I come up with a spare (USD)251.30. Of course those will all be destroyed, that's why I have to remember the song.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 05:33 AM

This is sort of offthread, but, Sorcha, Asimov didn't write "Stanger in a Strange Land" - That was Robert Heinlein.

My song would be "the Freedom Come-All-Ye" by Hamish Henderson, it always lifts my spirits to sing it, or hear it, I just love it.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Drumshanty
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 05:57 AM

Mine would be the Hal an Tow. I used to "do" the Hal an Tow as a teenager and I would take it because I could pass on not only the song but the stories behind it and the pageantry of it.

It is not necessarily my favourite song (as if that were possible!) but it reminds me of being young and looking forward to long summers.

And Scabby Doug has my other one so that's all right then!

Drumshanty

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 08:22 AM

ah, damn! you're right, doug!! I'm as bad as Mbo, aren't I?

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Amergin
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 11:26 AM

I love Bradbury, especially the Martian Chronicles....

Mine would probably have to be "We Have Fed You All For A Thousand Years" by an unknown proletarian....with this fourth verse added:

Now we hide from you within the caves
For you try to kill our past,
To hide the truth from yourselves
That our songs will all outlast
The money, the power, and the tyranny
In the offices where you stand!
If blood be the price of your oppressive wealth
Good God! We have bought it grand.

Yes, I know it is a weak ending but it is a folksong and very liable to change....

Amergin

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 11:41 AM

I am away performing at an Irish Music Festival, with a side trip to a birthday gathering for the 80 year old matriarch of a wonderful Irish family this weekend. I stopped to read my email and one of them urged me to take a look here. I love the concept of this thread and feel like I should give it the consieration it deserves. So I am going to take my time and approach this as if I really could only take one song. As if I were choosing the one song that had to be preserved. I have an idea which one I think that should be. Get back to you later.

Mick

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:48 PM

Well, I'm beginning to get an order to our song circle here. I think Rick has the leadoff tune, an excellent choice. I think 'Gin goes next perhaps with a song that does kinda' get to the heart of this. I dunno' WHERE we put Joe.........

And yes, I do admit to some shameless toadying here as I did write to a few and mention this in PM's to others that I would value their take on this...and I DO!!!

Its a silly thread, but it says a lot about an individuals personality and thought processes too, not to mention tastes. Again though, I don't know what to think about Joe, except that he seems to be in company with Karen. When I mentioned this one to her, she had the same reaction and the only one she could think of was "Happy Birthday."

Keep 'em coming folks.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: sledge
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:55 PM

The one I pick today would be Steve Knightly's The man in green, what I might pick tomorrow who knows.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 12:58 PM

I've been thinking about this a lot, Spaw, and thinking along the same lines as kat that mine would be a lullaby.

I nearly went for 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess but it should really be a song from my own tradition, so I'll take 'The Gartan Mother's Lullaby', full as it is of Celtic imagery and the spirit world, with many a story to tell if time allows.

Now this thread should be made into a book!!

Noreen

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 01:04 PM

I'm thinking, Spaw. Maybe this is a good idea for a song-swap at the Getaway, Whaddya think, Rita? Meanwhile, I'm off to sing "Amazing Grace" at a gathering of some 3000 recovering alcoholics at nearby "High Watch Farm." My late business partner spent a couple of weeks there, years ago, and it did seem to help him kick the hard stuff.

I'll be back later, kids.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: MMario
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 09:57 AM

The Rice Krispy Theme Song. (except I never HAVE been able to memorize the sucker)

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Bert
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 10:36 AM

Believe me if all those endearing young charms.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 12:39 PM

Despite its "politically incorrect" 18th century language, I think I'll remind the world that "A Man's a Man, For A' That." (Robbie Burns) Unfortunately, a "person's a person" just doesn't scan well.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 12:39 PM

Well , Spaw - I think I'd want to grab "This Land Is Your Land" for the following reasons. First it celibrates the beauty of nature. Next it would remind the corporations exactly who is the real owners of this land { no one and everyone }. And certainly because the song has the gift of the sing along chorus. That's a power not to be underestimated.

"And on the other side it didn't say nothing - this land was made for you and me"

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: rabbitrunning
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 12:47 PM

I love Bradbury, but F451's the one book I dislike. Probably because it's on so many required reading lists, and it just isn't his best long novel. (Something Wicked This Way Comes!)

But for songs, I'll take "Simple Gifts". What an opportunity to talk about religion, history and Aaron Copland! Can we save variants, too?

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 01:13 PM

I don't know - I'll get back to you when we start moving into the caves. Spaw, does this mean I have to forget all the songs I know except one?

The first song I thought of was "Wild Mountain Thyme" for its sheer singability. I'm still working on one that I should learn because of the meaning in the words. One that no one else has picked, that is...

Aw, the hell with it! I have a very large collection of poetry. No, sorry Mr/Ms authority figure, you don't see any music, do you? How could you think they're songs?! I like to call it "Rise Up Rhyming."

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 01:19 PM

Not a bad pick in the bunch and some really outstqnding efforts.

Jeri, we all know more than one, but ONE is the only one that YOU are directly responsible for....above all others. Still wanna' go with "WMT?" Its one great song, and if you don't want it, its likely to get grabbed up (maybe by Caroline?).

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 02:15 PM

Catspaw, can I pick Stairway To Heaven?
I will have to learn to play it on my banjo and then I will hang-out in the back of a big music store playing it over and over again until they beg me to stop. But I won't stop, because the song must be passed on, right?

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Bert
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 02:31 PM

Now! now! Bonnie! You should know that 'Stairway to Heaven' was the reason that all music was outlawed in the first place.

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 02:35 PM

Thank you Bert.........It was either that or the Major Tom thing. I guess its real name is "Space Oddity"...and it certainly is.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 04:00 PM

451 is a good book----a bit of a romantic stretch to have guys/folks (men/women/whatever) all wandering in the snow at the end (of the film) reciting their book---Is that being an individual within the community ? But my favorite volume of that type has to be Earth Abides by George R. Stewart.

That said, the one song I'd memorize would be one that could transport me into a world I wish I'd been a part of.

"Tam Lin"

"California Joe"

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Serf
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 10:18 PM

well..... with mixed feelings... i will commit to pass along .. in the post musical world..... in some candle lit basement... Four Strong Winds.. ( Ian Tyson) why mixed? ..... well remember Tom Hanks in Volunteers fearing that some Peace Corps Type ...would burst into Kumbaya... Well ,.. in Canada .. you couldnt go anywhere for about 20 years.. without some "folkie" doing the mandatory song.. i am sure ...as welcome as one more version of Blowin' in the Wind.. But..in the last couple of years.. i have dared to perform it.. and it still touches the winsome nerve..located directly behind the heart strings. ( but just for the record... the winds dont blow all that awesomely cold out in Alberta... ) Serf in Toronto

Subject: RE: Fahrenheit 451-The LAST Song
From: Susan from California
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 10:43 PM

Springsteen's "The River" because it was the first song that made me cry. It is a song that evokes a particular time in US history, but also speaks to universal themes. Also because it reminds me of my youth, only we all went to a reservoir instead of a river...

I have a question, Spaw. Will we be able to communicate with each other to be sure there aren't duplications? It would be depressing to venture out from the caves to find that everybody in the song circle I was in memorized "Ooops, I Did it Again", :-)or some other soon to be classic. But I don't want to have to out think the obscurity angle.