A Few Songs Of Late

Ahhh, I'm sorry, I never blog anymore. Once I go back home for Christmas, it won't be so hectic! (Hopefully...) Anyway, after seeing Matt Corby at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, I've been listening to pretty much only him... Unfortunately, according to my original plan I should have met him after the gig and would be married to him by now, but that somewhat fell through. Heartbroken as I am, you really should give him the time of day because he is brilliant and incredibly talented. The first song he played was Big Eyes and I almost died. This is another favourite of mine:

And a few others I've been listening to:

(Also went to see sets by Koreless, Rustie and Sbtrkt... They were all wicked, but I reckon Koreless was by far the best. You should all check him out, he's amazing.)

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:

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