Ready for a little poetry slam with Downton? Oh Lady Mary... I do wish to be transported to your time... hell I'd even work downstairs to get a glimpse of you.
I know Mary is not for real.
Her perfection perfected in an hour
In costumes selected with zeal
And details down to the flowers.
I cannot live in Mary’s façade
But I breathe in and enjoy it;
Reach out to take her hand
Walk to the garden and sit.
Oh Mary to live in your dream
Would make mortal men melt
I can only wish and scheme
Then wonder how it all felt.
(c) Dave Schipper
As I sit in February, NFL over... my all-time favorite TV show Chuck is over.. Thank God for Downton Abbey Season Two... and my love for Lady Mary... played by the beautiful Michelle Dockery
Lonely the flower the blooms first in spring
Lonely the lady with no wedding ring
Stately she stands in gown so devine
Gently she weeps for him night after night
Mary’s a vision and he loves her dear
Pride and misfortunate has kept him from her
Fills with delight as he sees her each time
When will they be one he says in his mind
Humbly the servant prepares her to dine
Glances and pauses reveal her disguise
Matthew is coming; she’s brimming inside
Stoically she moves showing only her pride.
Precise the setting, and superb the wine.
Nothing compared to Mary at his side
Polite the manners, and coyly she smiles
Warming the eve in this cool British Isle.
The ballroom is empty; they stand face to face
He says it’s time to love and the past to erase
Snow falls and she smirkly says take a knee
Only to embrace with a passion so free.
Ha.. this is too funny... I actually ran into this duo before they were a smash new success; and I wasn't impressed... Lately, I've changed my tune... this video just shows their playfulness; their creativity, and their skill. I hope to hear much more, and see them live some day.
I do apologize ignoring this blog... I have intentions of coming back with a charge... here's a recent passion.
Song was originally written by Janis Ian for the great Irish singer Mary Black , and I rephrased the wonderful song for Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey. I have contacted Janis Ian to let her know I did this to her song, but I claim no ownership for this song or hers, it would not exist without Michelle’s performance of Mary or Janis’ original song.
Mary's eyes are auburn hue And her hair's Newcastle gold And she walks the thin white line between the body and the soul. She's as faithful to her history As a servant to his last; For she's standing on the bones of England’s past.
Chorus: She's singing of the graces And the balance of the grand, 'Til I can almost feel my senses slipping through my trembling hand. And I wonder as I hear her, That the spirit still shines through And she can reach across the ocean deep and break my heart in two...
Mary's wise and she is foolish; She's as constant as the tide. For it's a woman's heart that beats beneath that stubborn girl’s pride. We are saints and we are sinners, We are heros we are theives. We are all of us servants on the road to the abbey.
Chorus
So let us cheer of glass of wine To the East where Downton lies, And we will stare across the waters For a glimpse of Mary's eyes. We are ships without a harbor, We are sailors on dry land, And the show goes on forever Even though the Crawley’s can't.
Chorus
Song made popular by Gaelic Storm, here are the original lyrics.
Here's a wonderful Turlaugh O'Carolan piece that Rose River plays during many wedding ceremonies or preludes. Shelly is on flute, with Tim, Paula and I backing her up. Melissa is a fine musician in her own right, but she is also a wonderful photographer. You can get in touch with us many ways.. Melissa migrates between Wausau and LaCrosse, and Rose River is out of the LaCrosse / Holmen area of Wisconsin. We are ELCA Lutheran's and can do service music as well.
For those who might have missed the 2010 edition of Dave's Green Salsa, this year has a music track and it's not as CREEPY as one of my commentators said... enjoy... I am right now on a few corn chips.
A few notes on the soundtrack... I picked a hot pepper originally from LA, and now lives in the LA in CA.... Hope Waits.. .what a great blues singer and this is one of her originals... and she ok'd her track now attached to a little salsa... she's a great soul.
For all you who are wondering... here is last year's from the creepy host of The Zemmy Show...
or you might fall madly in love with another waitress...
Back in August I met an angel I will never forget.
Time to kill, so why not in a hip part of steel town
Narrow road, red brick and yellow steel vignette
Whispers of steel workers told me to write them down.
I looked at the curbside sign for the Piccolo Forno
Smiled at the BYOB and decided to venture in
The smell of garlic, now I lust for a bordeaux.
To not feast on the moment would be a sin.
I find a spot against the wall with room to write
Focused and self absorbed I grab my pad & pen
Just as I begin a red leather menu is in my site
I instinctively thank her and begin to write again.
Moments later I hear “do you have any questions?”
I look up and suddenly am swept inside her eyes
We share a smile, “do you have a suggestion?”
I agreed to any she said, wow what a prize.
Her choppy black hair bangs and long neck
Quickly I thought this woman is Daphne Moon.
Jokingly I kept asking questions to hear to her talk
Papardelle, farro, Lemon Risotto, better order soon.
A panini with soppressata was it, and she left
Also with my thoughts as she turned so graceful
I tried to write but anticipated being bereft
And indeed left with only memories of an Allegheny angel
As I signed the bill I looked down to see her name in the bill.... Sabrina... magical. I so highly recommend Piccolo Forno Lawrenceville (a neighborhood in Pittsburgh)... just watch out... you might fall in love again too...
My absolutely new favorite song... "you're probably a democrat... " Such a great duet that I first found on a free iTunes mix on SXSW, but leave it to MusicFog.com to have another fantastic video.
Here's a song that I just discovered today. It was in the featured portion of my YouTube's home page. I am a fan of Slaid Cleeves though I probably own enough of his music to just graze the surface. Then I went to find Russell Crowe had recorded it, likely giving Slaid a better year of income. In a way it's a prayer for grace and hope for those who need a pickup. I feel so blessed at times, and thankful for having great family, friends, and place to work & worship. For those who feel otherwise.... here's a prayer that you find Grace.
'One Good Year'
written by Slaid Cleaves and Steve Brooks. recorded by Slaid Cleaves on the cd 'Broke Down'
It's New Year's Day Just like the day before Same old skies of grey Same empty bottles on the floor Another year gone by And I'm thinking once again How can I take this losing hand And somehow win
Just give me one good year To get my feet back on the ground I've been chasing grace But grace ain't so easily found One bad hand can devil a man Chase him and carry him down I gotta get out of here Just give me one good year
I'm burning oil Engine's running rough I drive from job to job But it's never enough I can't find the will To just up and get away Some kind of chains holding me down To make me stay.
Just give me one good year.....
It's a bitter wind In your face every day It's the little sins That wear your soul away When you start giving in Where do the promises all go Will your darkest hour Write a blank cheque on your soul
Just give me one good year To get my feet back on the ground I've been chasing grace But grace ain't so easily found One bad hand can devil a man A good one can turn him around I gotta get out of here Just give me one good year I gotta get out of here Just give me one good year
Russell's video :
Slaid's live version:
Now off to buy the song on iTunes, it is on a CD that I own the title cut... Broke Down...--- Happy New Year!
I have always been a huge fan of Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy cd produced by the late Daniel Lanlois.... This review called my favorite song, "“Man In The Long Black Coat” is a story song, the kind he excels at. This think track is filled with apocalyptic imagery that is difficult to pin down. This is Dylan at his best." I basically knew the song almost by heart from listening to it, so I thought I would try my hand on covering it when I needed a project to test learning my new version of iMovie... I even uploaded it in a higher resolution. Enjoy.
It is upon the thought of my demise
that I wonder if the memory of me
shall wake into tomorrow’s sunrise
or will I fade into the distant echoes
of what once was, barely to be recognized.
All I hope is the flowers laid down upon
my life will stay fresh and beautiful
in the hearts of those who knew me true.
I want each rose to be a symbol of my love;
each tulip sprouting anew, a recognition
of my constant growth. I want each
Lilly to be the fragrance of my heart
as each daffodil will enrich the soil
of my being.
But perhaps if those flowers shall
be just a faded mark of my existence,
I will still have been a presence in the eyes
of those who have admired and even
in those who may have less desired.
So for the death of me I do not scare
for to truly live life is not to fear
as through all glimpses of my memory
I will always be here.
She walked slowly by the pieces of the past Scarf wrapped up to her short-cropped hair Somewhat out of place with Hepburn flair Stubbornly, She’s stuck with a style that lasts.
She made her way to the café window table Oblivious to her surroundings she went on-line Reading, renewing and restoring lives entwined Only pausing for an infrequent nibble on a bagel
He pictured her in front of bustling Paris street, Much easier to finish the plot without any words And on cue the music switched to jig on a dulcimer He needed to leave and folded up his vision complete.
There you go, strangers at noon and never love. He looked back and she was gone from her chair Chuckled to himself, “was it real or just a dare” The devil had dialed up one that would fit like a glove.
By Dave Schipper
Sitting at the Acoustic Cafe... their internet was down.. the store from across the street was the first line, the blonde getting out of a car the second, then it got revised as a beautiful woman sat down across from me. Internet came back up for me to find that Audrey Hepburn was incredibly quotable, and she helped fill out the story.
Why change? Everyone has his own style. When you have found it, you should stick to it." — Audrey Hepburn
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." — Audrey Hepburn
"I'm half-Irish, half-Dutch, and I was born in Belgium. If I was a dog, I'd be in a hell of a mess!" — Audrey Hepburn
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years." — Audrey Hepburn
people, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." — Audrey Hepburn
The ghosts of St. Augustine are an eerie sight On rooftops, porches, and trees they come out at night They walk this ancient ground, while their stories are told By guides with lanterns, recounting tales of old.
The white gown of the bride The candle in the night The widow on the stairs The renters Miss Faye scares
Ghosts of St. Augustine Are the sights to be seen Walk the cobblestone streets And enjoy whom you meet
Pass the Bishop’s shrine and see the wayward bride Who terrified those children tenting that night Woke them with a cold hand brought screams and bone chills Now she walks alone, mourning a love unfulfilled.
As guest G-Men talked, the innkeeper knew the plan She gave the smuggler signal with lantern in hand. Today her lost soul slips past the boarded entry To the sea, Her hooded figure waves a sentry
When you are a house concert host you can count some of the most talented and beautiful women or handsome men as friends. Tonight two past performers came to me with new videos:
First up the vocalist for The Outside Track, Norah Rendell:
