Wales has given us many great exports besides coal. One has been the beauty of its poetry, and the other the beauty of its music. In the video clip below, from 1970, Tom Jones does something other than sway his hips — he recites for us from countryman Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Accompanying him is The Treorchy Male Choir, singing holiday carols in the lovely sounds of the Welsh choral tradition.
When I was writing this up, I found not just one quote to use, but two. I’ll title this with Joe Jackson’s song and include the video at the bottom. But following is another sonnet from Harper’s beloved Poetry Magazine archive (which really is a nifty source of material!)
How can I offer you the dull, frayed song Of love I know? Each word would stumble on A memory; and I should see a long Blurred line of faces grimacing upon A musty curtain of the past …. Ah, no …. Let me be silent …. Words would only sound A monotone: a toxic, cloying flow Of echoes would sift through, and eddy round My voice, and all the rapture that I feel Would turn into a harlequin and steal Away beneath the vivid, measured hum Of mockery. Ah, dearest, may there come An ecstasy of stillness in each day, That you may sense the thoughts I dare not say!
I love this song, and this video illustrates what we do in Second Life (as I did in my photos above) quite nicely, transforming ourselves for a time into whatever life we want to live, to change away from the humdrum and pains of daily Real Life.
Day after day, I’m more confused Yet I look for the light through the pourin’ rain You know that’s a game that I hate to loose And I’m feelin’ the strain, ain’t it a shame
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul I wanna get lost in your rock ‘n’ roll and drift away Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul I wanna get lost in your rock ‘n’ roll and drift away
We each took our own photos, and Harper made the composite. You’ll find the full-size version (1920 wallpaper) on Harper’s Flickr stream.
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If there’s a song that is considered “quintessentially Canadian,” it’s Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds.” Around 55 years have passed since Ian wrote it, and performed it with his then-wife Sylvia Tyson (née Fricker). “Four Strong Winds” became not only a standard in the Canadian repertoire, but also well known in the United States after performers such as Judy Collins and Johnny Cash performed it.
She’s as sweet as tupelo honey She’s an angel of the first degree She’s as sweet as tupelo honey Just like honey, baby, from the bee
“Tupelo Honey,” written and performed by Van Morrison
Life isn’t all ball gowns and glittering elegance. Sometimes, for some people, their finest, sweetest moments can be on a bright, sunny day, sitting in blue jeans and a soft top instead of waltzing off into the starry sky with your prince. It looks like Maren has found one of those moments here, sitting by a fountain in Second Life’s version of Jackson Square.
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The details:
Head: LAQ Ana 3.05 Bento
Body and feet: Maitreya Bento 4.1
Hands: Vista Prohands 2
Hair: Clawtooth Miss Vanjie
Eyes: IKON Sovereign (Electric)
Outfit: Kaithleen’s Muslin Shirt (Brown Leaves) and Flare Jeans (available at 5/25 – 6/22 round of Uber)
Shoes: KC Couture Laida
Jewelry: Basanti TaMbA suite (ruby glass and gold)
Makeup: alaskametro Spring Beauty Book (Omega; available at Uber)
I can’t say why we keep ending up at clubs and bars and coffeehouses, except they’re convenient places with lots of poses laid in already, and often props to help out as well. Of course, for this song, a bar or club is really needed.
It’s quarter to three There’s no one in the place ‘cept you and me So set ’em up Joe I got a little story I think you oughta know
We’re drinking my friend To the end of a brief episode So make it one for my baby And one more for the road
I know the routine Put another nickel in that there machine I’m feeling so bad Won’t you make the music easy and sad
I could tell you a lot But you gotta to be true to your code So make it one for my baby And one more for the road
Hey, listen to my story ’bout a gal named Daisy Mae Lazy Daisy Mae Her disposition is rather sweet and charming At times alarming, so they say She has a man who’s tall dark handsome, large and strong To whom she used to sing this song
Hey, Daddy I want a diamond ring Bracelets and everything Daddy, you oughta get the best for me
Hey, Daddy, gee Don’t I look great in sables? Clothes with Paris labels? Daddy, you oughta get the best for me
There’s some interesting things at the current events and the Fantasy Faire, but I decided to dip into my back Inventory, and stumbled across this dress. Conan was kind enough to serve as mon bel amour for a shot (well, he does live in Québec), and here we are.
Moonlight becomes you It goes with your hair You certainly know The right thing to wear
Moonlight becomes you And I’m thrilled at the sight And we could get So romantic tonight
Second Life® with Harper, Conan, Jem, Diana and Morgan
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