Soldiering On
03/04/10
I am finishing an order of fries at Junior’s Restaurant, kitty corner from my alma mater Glenlawn Collegiate (class of 1968, or thereabouts). After a recent flurry of activity in aid of the Launch Pad Coffee House, I’ve been drifting, as regards writing, music, and blogging. However, I’m determined to buckle down.
On the music front, Tony Buchner and I are rehearsing a set for the April 21 coffee house. As well as the regular three song group for the open mike part of the proceedings, we’re working out a feature piece at te beginning, based on my song Soldiers’ Cemetery. The song was originally a poem written about eight years ago. Becuse it was in a very regular form, with a fixed number of ‘feet’ in each corresponding line in every stanza, and employed a consistent pattern of rhymes, it easily suggested itself as song lyrics. To make it work as a song, I had to lose the endings of several stanzas, and add a bridge of new material. Tony and I have been working on recording the song, off and on over the last few years.
It was decided to go without an opening act at the next Launch Pad on April 21. To fill the gap, I thought of using Soldiers’ Cemetery to open the show - but expanded to include other elements. It is a work in progress, but the idea at this point is to open the show with me reciting the original poem, with the ‘missing’ lyrics. That would satisfy my poet ego! While I spoke, photographs relating to the theme of the poem would be projected onto a screen beside the stage. The photos would be taken, edited, assembled, and projected by Darren Fast, my pal and former co-worker.
At some point in the reading of the poem I would be joined on-stage by Tony ,and perhaps other musicians, who would begin to play the chords and beat of the song. When I finished reading the poem, I would join the other musicians while they continued to play. When we were all on stage we would segue into singing the complete song - while photos continued to appear on the screen. There’s lots to work out, and the details will no doubt change. But I hope we can give it a shot.
For now, here is the original poem, with the bridge from the song added, in italics:
THE SOLDIERS’ CEMETERY
I walked the soldiers’ cemetery,
Where my father is not buried
Rode the bus never taken by us,
I prayed to Christ Unrisen
What is your decision?
Will you bury me?
You said your love was temporary,
Lent to me as necessary.
Paid the debt, never had a regret.
I lived in debtors’ prison.
What is my position?
Will you unchain me?
I know I was your sweet Mad Hatter,
When my wishes did not matter.
Took the prize and a ton of your lies
I pardoned your affliction,
What is your prediction?
Will you wish for me?
I walked the martyr’s crematory
Where I’ll never burn in glory.
Ground our lust till it crumbled in dust.
I prayed to God Unsightly.
Does it even slightly?
Does it matter at all?
There’s a moment on the other side of now,
When all our worries whistle past their grave,
When emptiness is filled,
Fears are blown away,
And young men never die to prove they’re brave.
I walked the martyr’s crematory
Where I’ll never burn in glory.
Ground our lust till it crumbled in dust.
I prayed to God Unsightly.
Does it even slightly?
Does it matter at all?
TOMORROW - I BLOG ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WRITING THE NEW NOVEL, THE TOURIST
On the music front, Tony Buchner and I are rehearsing a set for the April 21 coffee house. As well as the regular three song group for the open mike part of the proceedings, we’re working out a feature piece at te beginning, based on my song Soldiers’ Cemetery. The song was originally a poem written about eight years ago. Becuse it was in a very regular form, with a fixed number of ‘feet’ in each corresponding line in every stanza, and employed a consistent pattern of rhymes, it easily suggested itself as song lyrics. To make it work as a song, I had to lose the endings of several stanzas, and add a bridge of new material. Tony and I have been working on recording the song, off and on over the last few years.
It was decided to go without an opening act at the next Launch Pad on April 21. To fill the gap, I thought of using Soldiers’ Cemetery to open the show - but expanded to include other elements. It is a work in progress, but the idea at this point is to open the show with me reciting the original poem, with the ‘missing’ lyrics. That would satisfy my poet ego! While I spoke, photographs relating to the theme of the poem would be projected onto a screen beside the stage. The photos would be taken, edited, assembled, and projected by Darren Fast, my pal and former co-worker.
At some point in the reading of the poem I would be joined on-stage by Tony ,and perhaps other musicians, who would begin to play the chords and beat of the song. When I finished reading the poem, I would join the other musicians while they continued to play. When we were all on stage we would segue into singing the complete song - while photos continued to appear on the screen. There’s lots to work out, and the details will no doubt change. But I hope we can give it a shot.
For now, here is the original poem, with the bridge from the song added, in italics:
THE SOLDIERS’ CEMETERY
I walked the soldiers’ cemetery,
Where my father is not buried
Rode the bus never taken by us,
I prayed to Christ Unrisen
What is your decision?
Will you bury me?
You said your love was temporary,
Lent to me as necessary.
Paid the debt, never had a regret.
I lived in debtors’ prison.
What is my position?
Will you unchain me?
I know I was your sweet Mad Hatter,
When my wishes did not matter.
Took the prize and a ton of your lies
I pardoned your affliction,
What is your prediction?
Will you wish for me?
I walked the martyr’s crematory
Where I’ll never burn in glory.
Ground our lust till it crumbled in dust.
I prayed to God Unsightly.
Does it even slightly?
Does it matter at all?
There’s a moment on the other side of now,
When all our worries whistle past their grave,
When emptiness is filled,
Fears are blown away,
And young men never die to prove they’re brave.
I walked the martyr’s crematory
Where I’ll never burn in glory.
Ground our lust till it crumbled in dust.
I prayed to God Unsightly.
Does it even slightly?
Does it matter at all?
TOMORROW - I BLOG ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WRITING THE NEW NOVEL, THE TOURIST
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