Monday 19 November 2012

Vigil Strange I Kept On The Field One Night - Walt Whitman




Vigil strange I kept on the field one night;
When you my son and my comrade dropt at my side that day,
One look I but gave which your dear eyes return’d with a look I shall never forget,
One touch of your hand to mine O boy, reach’d up as you lay on the ground,
Then onward I sped in the battle, the even-contested battle,
Till late in the night reliev’d to the place at last again I made my way,
Found you in death so cold dear comrade, found your body son of responding kisses (never again on earth responding),
Bared your face in the starlight, curious the scene, cool blew the moderate night-wind,
Long there and then in vigil I stood, dimly around me the battle-field spreading,
Vigil wondrous and vigil sweet there in the fragrant silent night,
But not a tear fell, not even a long-drawn sigh, long, long I gazed.
Then on the earth partially reclining sat by your side leaning my chin in my hands,
Passing sweet hours, immortal and mystic hours with you dearest comrade—not a tear, not a word. Vigil of silence, love and death, vigil for you my son and my soldier,
As onward silently stars aloft, eastward new ones upward stole,
Vigil final for you brave boy, (I could not save you, swift was your death,
I faithfully loved you and cared for you living, I think we shall surely meet again,)
Till at latest lingering of the night, indeed just as the dawn appear’d,
My comrade I wrapt in his blanket, envelop’d well his form,
Folded the blanket well, tucking it carefully over head and carefully under feet,
And there and then and bathed by the rising sun, my son in his grave, in his rude-dug grave I deposited,
Ending my vigil strange with that, vigil of night and battlefield dim,
Vigil for boy of responding kisses (never again on earth responding),
Vigil for comrade swiftly slain, vigil I never forget, how as day brighten’d, 
I rose from the chill ground and folded my soldier well in his blanket,
And buried him where he fell. 


Songs Of The Week

Life has been hectic for the last few weeks but it looks like it's finally settling down a bit. Or maybe I've just learned to handle it a little better... Probably the latter! I took the plunge and deactivated Facebook, so I'm not feeling very out of the loop but I think it's worth it. I wasn't planning on it be a permanent thing, I just wanted to stop it distracting me from work, but now that I've gone ahead and done it I'm going to see how long I can keep it this way. May as well try and curb the addiction for good! Here are some great songs I've been listening to this week:






Sunday 11 November 2012

Miley Cyrus - Lilac Wine

I've never even given a second thought to Miley Cyrus before my friend showed me this cover but when I did, I was so so impressed... Lilac Wine, probably most famously sung by Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, is a beautiful and thoroughly depressing song about alcoholism - 'Was hypnotized by a strange delight under a lilac tree.' Although her voice usually intensely irritates me, it really suits this song and I was surprised to see that she'd covered it. Not all of my friends agreed with me (I enthusiastically shared it with quite a few) but I'll let you judge for yourselves:


I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree

I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in it's recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be who I want to be

When I think more than I ought to think
And do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you

Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady
Like my love

Listen me, I cannot see clearly
Isn't that she, coming near here

Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Where's my love
Lilac wine, I feel unready
Where's my love

Listen me, why is everything so hazy
Isn't that she, or am I just going crazy, dear

Lilac wine is sweet and heady
Where's my love
I, I feel unready for my love

Thursday 8 November 2012

Song Of The Day!

I've had this on my iPod for a while now, but it definitely deserves a post here. I reckon it's probably one of the best remixes I've heard this year, and y'all know how much I bum Jamie xx... Well maybe you don't, but I'm telling you now. I do. If you like this and you like Gil Scott-Heron (pfff, course you do) check out 'We're New Here', Jamie xx's remix album of Gil's 'I'm New Here'. And if you've never heard any of of Gil's stuff, and this is a situation that must be remedied posthaste, listen to 'No Exit'. If you can't find it, it is on one of my previous posts, which is called '40 Songs That Keep Me Grooving.' 
Oh, and make sure to listen with good headphones!


This has no relevance whatsoever. But I love it AND IT'S MY BLOG SO I'LL POST IT IF I WANT TO. Ahhh when the panda walks up the tree... Disney = Boundless joy.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Song Of The Day!

I don't even need to say anything about this video, it justifies itself... This is why she's the queen of soul! It is ONLY talent that got her the status that she holds today and will for many, many years to come. Check out the power behind her voice, yet I challenge you to find a note she hits that isn't bang on. Ah, sweet, sweet talent...

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Song Of The Day!

Emily King is a gorgeous American with a stunning voice and I've had her song, Georgia, on repeat recently. She reminds me of a mix between Corinne Bailey-Rae and Lianne La Havas, but I will let you judge for yourself!



I was not ready 
The day you gave me your heart, 
I was still falling apart. 

But since that moment, 
I can't stop hearing your name,
Wondering about you always. 

Come back Georgia, come back, 
Come back Georgia, come back, 
I just need another chance,
Chance to make it better. 

I was unhappy 
The day you left out my door, 
I was just feeling unsure. 

So long I've missed you, 
Now I can honestly say 
I'm ready to love you always. 

Come back Georgia, come back, 
Come back Georgia, come back, 
I just need another chance,
Chance to make it better. 

Oh, to think that you would be 
Resting in my arms, 
How I wish I knew, 

Georgia, where you are? 
I can't be without you, 
Georgia, oh 

Come back Georgia, come back, 
Come back Georgia, come back, 
I just need another chance,
Chance to make it better.

Song Of The Day!

This is for yesterday, November 5th... And after this week I may just start doing 'Songs Of The Week', because I always have music to share but I never have time to blog!
Anyway, I've been listening to a lot of Fugees this week and this song is one of my favourites... I miss them so much! Lauryn Hill will be one of my favourite artists for the rest of my life, no doubt.


Now we on some new stuff, I never feared the Ku Klux,
My own clan is actin' up, I blame it on the Phillie blunt,
Whatcha gonna do, kids are actin' ooohhh,
Hill is gettin' fed up, yo where's the corporate at?


Sunday 4 November 2012

Songs Of The Week!

Yeahhh, I've missed that many days... Oh well, these are the songs I've been listening to this week!

This first one is a wicked little dancey tune and the video makes you crave summer and better times... I wonder how they found that many quirky/beautiful people and managed to get them all together in various hot tubs/festivals? It nicely feeds my appetite for shallow, aesthetically pleasing visuals.



This next song is a WIN for South Africa. An amazing fusion of club and jazz, the result is a very cool and chilled mix that would go well on a playlist with the Klangkarussell song above.




Moving on in the same sort of tact, this next one is a garage anthem that many of you will know and love... Unfortunately, being typically late off the mark, I've only just discovered this gem. I especially love the lyrics, 'Everybody felt the tension, time was fading'.


Now this one I've loved for ages, Disclosure is so reliable, I haven't yet listened to a song by them that I haven't enjoyed immensely.


Many of you will know Jamie Jones because of his remix of Azari & Ill's 'Hungry For The Power'. This is another one of his house tunes, a bit of a background one but get to 2:30 and you'll be grooving.


Okay well I think I'm up to date now with all the days that I missed, I will (hopefully) be back tomorrow with Song Of The Dayyyyyyy! #buzzbuz
Laters, maters! x