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02 Jul 02 - 03:38 PM (#740872) Subject: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Perhaps I do not know you, personally. Even if I do, and especially if I do not, I want to send you this vote of gratitude and thanks across whatever this strange distance of not-knowing is that normally separates us. Someone once said that strangers are only friends who have not met yet, and that strikes me as particularly true here, where whatever else we come for, day-to-day, we surely came first for music. The point is that as a person in a world that too often looks mad and bent and sorry-assed, I owe you a vote of thanks for letting songs come out of your throat unhindered, for coloring some corner of the world with your own brave words and notes, for sending the fine brave songs of the past back out again into the present. You never had to do it; you sang from choice, for all the reasons we have spent so long discussing elsewhere. You could have passed those same minutes in silence here or there, letting the entropy of ordinary currents just sweep along. You could have ducked back, and kept quiet. But instead, you decided to sing--time and time again. It isn't just that this makes time pass a little sweeter, or reminds us of where we have been as people, or sounds better than discussing rumors, or is kinder than backbiting. All this is true, of course. But there is something else to be grateful for, speaking to those who choose to sing. People who sing are also people of courage. They are willing to step forward, much or little, and put their voices in play. And by example they excite courage in others, and bring the best of peoples' hearts out. People who choose to sing will not be terrorized, in spite of all invitations to so be. Thank you for singing. Keep it up!! With warm regards, Amos |
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02 Jul 02 - 03:55 PM (#740883) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Ferrara Amos, yes. Those of us who sing, who love to sing and have to sing, can and do "cultivate our gardens" of Song in the teeth of whatever mad things the external world gets up to from time to time.... I've often thought how lucky Bill and I are, to know so many people who just can't keep from singing. Rita |
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02 Jul 02 - 04:01 PM (#740894) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Deckman Amos ... What a very nice and appropriate offering! We had a hoot at our place this last Saturday. (we also celebrated Don Firths birthday). The BBQ and music started about three in the afternoon. I finally kicked the last of the singers out about midnight. So many times that evening I just sat back and watched and listened as various folks sang and contributed what they wanted. And sing we do. We all have our personal trials and struggles that we are dealing with. Yet it is the singing together, and individually that somehow seems to lighten and enrich us. You are so RIGHT. Thanks for starting this thread. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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02 Jul 02 - 04:03 PM (#740899) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: GUEST,Midchuck downstairs ...like being thanked for farting... "How can I keep from..."etc. I got to. Peter. |
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02 Jul 02 - 05:53 PM (#740959) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Well Peter, as long as we're at it, thanks for farting --- way over there!! :>) A |
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02 Jul 02 - 05:59 PM (#740963) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: wysiwyg Hey Amos. 1. Yer welcome. 2. Look in the mirror ansd smile when you say all that! *G* ~S~ |
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02 Jul 02 - 06:02 PM (#740964) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Celtic Soul Wow, Amos! Beautifully penned sentiment, and thank *you* for having done so. I would also like to thank you for all you have done and are doing with regards to the CD project. Your time and efforts are invaluable. |
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02 Jul 02 - 07:12 PM (#741014) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Morticia ditto, right back at you and amen....not necessarily in that order..... |
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02 Jul 02 - 09:42 PM (#741096) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Mr Happy ditto with knobs on |
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03 Jul 02 - 12:13 AM (#741149) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Barry Finn The song is more than the singer & both only exist because someone is listening & enjoying. Those that live to sing would never surive a winter of silence. Barry |
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03 Jul 02 - 12:18 AM (#741156) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos And a fine toast and fond good night to those who refuse to be terrorized -- whether by enemies of friends! A.
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03 Jul 02 - 12:33 AM (#741160) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Liz the Squeak Oh Amos, if only you knew..... Basically exactly what Morticia said, with extra mush. I'm still singing, despite everything, and you know, singing helps! You can (if you know the right songs) get it all out in a couple of song sessions, like some harmonized group therapy session! (Thread creep alert - how's that for a song challenge?? A group therapy session in song titles... I'll start with.... ah, maybe not just here....) I like the typo - enemies of friends! I trust you meant enemies or friends? Although sometimes it's really REALLY hard to tell the two apart.... Keep singing and smile as you sing. LTS |
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03 Jul 02 - 01:40 AM (#741183) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Stephen L. Rich Beautifully said, Amos. My great grandfather expressed it somewhat more succinctly, though considerably less eloquently. He said,"God gave us music and laughter so that we'd have the strength to spit in the Devil's eye." |
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03 Jul 02 - 02:26 AM (#741194) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: katlaughing refresh |
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03 Jul 02 - 03:30 AM (#741216) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Mudlark Ah, Amos....thanks for the thanks, thanks for being so eloquent on all our behalfs.... |
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03 Jul 02 - 03:45 AM (#741223) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Escamillo And thank you Amos for reminding us what's the value of what we do, singing from our hearts, even when we feel a little (or very) down, even when our voices are not in their best shape or our soul is in grief. Un gran abrazo - Andrés |
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03 Jul 02 - 04:52 AM (#741242) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Trevor Brilliant Amos - I'm filling up! As well as the folkie stuff that I do, on my own and with Rapsquillion, I'm in a little chamber choir, and last night was the AGM. We'd been going for about ten minutes before somebody said words to the effect of 'sod this, let's sing something...'. Afterwards it was standing around the pianola singing old standards till late - never mind the buffet! How can we NOT sing? But I do worry about whether the assumption that other people will enjoy it as much is egotistical. And I seem always to be hit with a dose of inarticulitis when I try to express these things, so thanks Amos. |
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03 Jul 02 - 05:18 AM (#741250) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Hrothgar Is there any alternative? |
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03 Jul 02 - 08:47 AM (#741348) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: My guru always said Thankyou Amos - wherever we are. May you always have music! |
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03 Jul 02 - 09:46 AM (#741389) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: greg stephens Does this apply to the man who got such a hostile reception for singing too loud at the Lancaster Maritime Festival? |
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03 Jul 02 - 11:54 AM (#741488) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Alice Thanks for the sentiments, Amos. It makes me realize that there is a determination in a singer to find a way to keep singing. Our old session that used to be held in a great acoustic room was pushed into the dead sound space of the corner of a bar. I could cry to think of how bad it makes the session compared to what it used to be. Now it's hard to even hear a flute player across the circle from me, and impossible to hear a singer, when the sound in the original room used to ring pure and clear to all corners. I gave up trying to sing in the bar session, as now only the loudest of tunes go on there. I decided to find another location where we can have a session conducive to the inclusion of songs. I found a spot in a new coffee shop that will let us test out a session this coming Saturday evening, July 6, and if the staff approves, they will continue to host one there. It's painful to stop singing. Alice |
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03 Jul 02 - 12:34 PM (#741528) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: DonD I only have trouble singing when I tear up and choke up at the wonder of ... singing! Especially when a group of like minded singers get together -- the larger the better -- to express their determination not to be terrorized, in song. Ain't music grand? Well said, Amos! |
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03 Jul 02 - 01:08 PM (#741555) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Lonesome EJ The mariachi band strolls up to the table and grins at the man while his wife and daughter look away, somewhat embarrassed to have the center of attention brought to them. The man speaks quietly to the tall, thin Mexican with the violin, the band counts off and launches into Cielito Lindo with surprising volume, amazing tenor harmony, made flawless from frequent repetition. The black outfits carry sequins that glitter in the overhead light as arms and hands work the instruments. The song concludes to scattered applause and the man folds a bill and hands it to the fiddler. The band moves to the next table, where a heavy-set hispanic man is eating with his wife and two sons. The man takes a sip of his Corona and speaks to the fiddler. The band measures the intro and the heavy-set man closes his eyes and begins to sing. His voice is a pure, arching tenor, not loud but clear as it reaches everyone in the restaurant. His children munch chips and salsa, in seeming unawareness that their father is transcending the mundane reality of dinner in a rather shoddy restaurant. The other diners, not as jaded, place forks and knives quietly by plates, fold hands, listen in awe. The unknown words in Spanish evoke emotion, more heartbreaking and beautiful in their mystery than clear comprehension could make them. Suddenly, the song ends, the last ringing echo of the voice dies in silence. Some applause, but mainly the resumption of suspended conversations, noise of utensils on plates. The man sips his beer and dives back into a plate of enchiladas, ignorant of, or too used to, the magic he has momentarily brought. At the next table, the mariachi band is playing Aye Como Va. Thanks, A. |
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03 Jul 02 - 02:46 PM (#741647) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Deda HEY AMOS! THANKS FOR SINGING with me and Adam and Gail and whoever else would pitch in. Thanks for singing and singing, hours and hours a day, until we were all just about hoarse. Thanks for remembering all the lyrics so I could sing along and look as though I remembered them, too. Thanks for singing whaling songs and railroad songs and pop-rock songs and hobo songs and protest songs and french songs and Irish songs and songs we learned from our Mum. Thanks for welcoming me to sing even though I can't be counted on to stay in the same key for three measures in a row. Thanks for sharing all the songs and the guitar-play with my boy. Thanks for being a conduit for the incredible power of singing -- it's the voice of God. (We just had a GREAT, GREAT visit!) Love, Deda |
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03 Jul 02 - 03:26 PM (#741688) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: wysiwyg Oh! DUH! THAT's where he was! Good for you all! *G*G*G*G* happyhappy!!!!! ~S~ |
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03 Jul 02 - 06:16 PM (#741783) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Deda Vox populi, vox dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God)is usually applied to elections, but it takes on a whole new meaning when it's about the sound of people singing just for the pure joy of it. |
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03 Jul 02 - 07:20 PM (#741827) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Vox vir, vox Dei, in my lexicon! Or whatever the P.C. equivalent would be for a human individual. Thanks, Deda!! I had a whale of a time!! Love that nephew for a folksinging fool just like his nuncle! And if I may say so, what I heard was you singing quite loverly and improving the revelries, nothing less! A |
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03 Jul 02 - 10:00 PM (#741888) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Re: Fraises |
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04 Jul 02 - 04:07 PM (#742408) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Deda Dearest bro -- That would be vox viri (the voice of a man), or vox feminae (the voice of a woman) or vox hominis (the voice of a person). Let me know if you want the plurals. I hope there's a LOT of singing from sea to shining sea today. Let's all sing our little hearts out.
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04 Feb 09 - 09:49 AM (#2557017) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Trevor Just thought that Amos's original post on this thread was worth resurrecting as we battle on through stuff, large and small, world-wide or at home, personal and public. Have a good day and enjoy your music! |
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04 Feb 09 - 10:44 AM (#2557058) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: quokka What a beautiful thread! Even if I do only sing for my own pleasure in the privacy of my car,(or on rare occasions with friends who don't judge too harshly!) I couldn't imagine life without it! Cheers, Quokka |
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04 Feb 09 - 10:53 AM (#2557064) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Beer Amos, I haven't read anything anyone else has said except your wonderful wishes. I will do this shortly. Music truly has a soul. Adrien |
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04 Feb 09 - 11:20 AM (#2557088) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Thanks, Amos. What is it within us that compels us to overcome one of our most basic fears to get in front of others to sing and play? It is a most profound way of sharing something very personal. For many of us, it is also about handing down this love of music to the next generation and seeing it carried on, as I have been fortunate enough to see in my own son and others. If it weren't for music; singing and playing, this would be a planet as dead as the moon. I'm also glad for this vital organ that allows us to exchange music, thoughts, feelings and experiences with folks we will likely never meet, but with whom we are connected through song. What a gift! |
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04 Feb 09 - 11:27 AM (#2557094) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: topical tom Thanks for those great thoughts, Amos. To quote a well-known song "How can I keep from singing?" I cannot play any instrument well but I sing for my own pleasure. |
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04 Feb 09 - 11:54 AM (#2557113) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: frogprince What a delightful thread, from before my time "around here". I actually sang something in public a few weeks ago, at a local sing-around. I can hardly imagine anyone thanking me for singing - you'd understand if you heard me - but I wanted to share that song so badly at the time that I did it. Some others there were also much more song-writers than vocalists, or I would never have had the nerve. You would thank my wife for singing, though; she does it beautifully. |
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04 Feb 09 - 12:09 PM (#2557127) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: frogprince (I wanted to sing the song badly, and I probably succeeded). |
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04 Feb 09 - 01:27 PM (#2557190) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Trevor: Thank you so much for refreshing this. Amos |
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04 Feb 09 - 01:45 PM (#2557206) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: VirginiaTam Amos What a treasure you are! This is exactly how I feel about judging anyone who wants to sing too harshly in some of the other threads. Creeps sake... everyone should be encouraged to belt it out. It is therapeutic and for my part definitely an act of courage. And thanks to Trevor for ressurecting this excellent thread from the tombs of oblivion. |
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05 Feb 09 - 05:52 AM (#2557778) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Trevor My pleasure - it's a thread I've saved and gone back to on numerous occasions over the last 6 or 7 years and now seems the right time to remind ourselves who we really are and what we really do at a time when the world looks particularly 'mad and bent and sorry-assed'. Thanks again Amos. |
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05 Feb 09 - 07:54 AM (#2557852) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: BusyBee Paul Sorry, I have to smile - I've just spent an hour phoning all 100 members of our local Choral Society to cancel this evenings rehearsal due to the inclement weather!. I think I'll put a few CDs on when I get home and sing along to those instead. :-) Deirdre |
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05 Feb 09 - 10:55 AM (#2558011) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: jeffp This was right on time for me as I have a singing gig tonight. Just a short set as a supporting act, but a number of friends will be coming. Thanks Trevor for reviving this and thanks Amos for starting it in the first place. Jeff |
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03 Jul 12 - 10:34 AM (#3371287) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: GUEST,Sue the Borderer currently cookieless The first post from this thread from Amos has been pinned on my wall since the thread was last resurrected in 2009. It's now 10 years and a day since it was first posted and it still chokes me up when I read it. Perhaps it will touch you too in the same way. Sue |
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03 Jul 12 - 12:45 PM (#3371341) Subject: NOT singing From: wysiwyg I've also learned that sometimes we need to know when NOT to sing. For example, at a recent ash-scattering at sea, my wiser eyes could see that singing would only have inflamed an already-too-tense situation. In that case, a mere squeak proved to be too much for that occasion. So the song I would have sung went, instead, on a photo-montage of the event. I can always sing something for/with those folks another time when they are ready to hear more than a squeak. And if I ain't there then-- my voice is not that hard to find. :~) ~Susan |
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03 Jul 12 - 01:04 PM (#3371346) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Leadfingers Missed this thread totally til now ! Made good reading . |
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04 Jul 12 - 12:27 AM (#3371678) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: KT I missed it too, Terry! Thanks for the lovely thoughts, Amos. You are a gem! |
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04 Jul 12 - 07:19 AM (#3371794) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Waddon Pete I love how sometimes a thread is revived at just the right time! How true the sentiments Amos expresses. Amos you managed to put into words what many of us think but cannot express adequately. Thank you! Best wishes, Peter |
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04 Jul 12 - 07:35 AM (#3371800) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: GUEST,JohnnyBeezer (Where's my cookie gone?) Amen to all this |
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04 Jul 12 - 08:06 AM (#3371818) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Mr Happy Echo deja vue! Here's some local lasses in town a couple of weeks back,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDUoSPawmhQ&feature=share enjoy! |
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04 Jul 12 - 11:17 AM (#3371887) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Amos Wow, what a wonderful flock o' birds!! Loved it!! Thank you all for the nice comments. I am all wet-eyed reading them. :D A |
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04 Jul 12 - 11:33 AM (#3371893) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Ebbie Amos, thank you for the opening post. Lovely. |
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04 Jul 12 - 12:28 PM (#3371919) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Scabby Douglas Thank you, Amos. |
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17 Dec 12 - 11:31 AM (#3453335) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: maeve I'm having a bit of rough time, and went looking for ways to say "thank you" for those who look for beauty, then bring our attention to it. Thank you. |
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17 Dec 12 - 08:32 PM (#3453528) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Sandra in Sydney sending love & hugs sandra |
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17 Dec 12 - 09:12 PM (#3453548) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: ChanteyLass Add my love and hugs to Sandra's, please. |
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18 Dec 12 - 07:50 AM (#3453728) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: AllisonA(Animaterra) I seem to have missed this the first time around; thanks indeed for the singers and the songs. Lately I've been feeling it's the best I can offer. My chorus has its concert this past weekend and so many came up to me afterwards and thanked me for the comfort and return of a possibility of joy they received from our singing. "We need the comfort of singing voices until the dark time ends". |
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01 Aug 16 - 06:32 AM (#3802986) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Trevor About time for another reminder of this old thread. The world certainly feels "old and bent and sorry-assed" - always worth thinking about what contribution we might be making to it being just ever so slightly better........ |
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01 Aug 16 - 06:39 AM (#3802987) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Trevor .....an that should, of course, read "mad and bent and sorry-assed", although "old" would do as wel I suppose....... |
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01 Aug 16 - 01:19 PM (#3803043) Subject: RE: Thank You For Singing From: Megan L My mum used to say she sang because she was happy and when she was not happy she sang to make herself happy. A great big thanks to all whose singing lifts heads of weary shoulders and sooths a troubled mind we surely need all the singers we can get in the world today. |