Over the past week, our public television station has featured Ken Burns' documentary of "The War". I have not been able to watch it in its entirety, but have watched enough to know it is excellent. It's not a moment too soon as those who can provide anecdotal stories are in the time of their life that if we are to hear their story, we must listen to them before they are no longer able.
The footage of the WWII is the ones that are familiar to us who have watched war movies growing up. The black and white accounts of folks on the front line show young men who fought for our country and of those that tell the story through Burns' documentary.
However, the part of the documentary which is so touching and beautiful is the music. I hear pieces of music I am familiar, not associated by war, but from my love of classical music. There is the music from that time, ones that i heard over and over and over again as a child. The music of my parents.
There were times when I was a teen when I tried to not like that music - it was "old" music, a music that happened before me and was claimed by my parents. And, my grandmother would play the music which was her music and would play it over and over again on the piano - songs like "I'll take you home again Kathleen" and "My Buddy".
When my uncle and aunt decided to move from their home and make the transition to a retirement community, the comment that stuck with me came from my uncle "no one sings and knows the same songs I love". I knew that the songs he knew and love were slowly fading from the music known today. Comfort songs, songs that remind of our youth, and who we were and where we were.
I don't know the last time I heard some of the music my grandmother played on the piano. I don't know where the sheet music went. And I know there are those who are trying to preserve the songs from that era.
Perhaps you know the songs of those who lived in the time of WWII -- or know someone who does. As Big Geez stated in his review - The problem is that it's so freakin' good that I'm afraid I'm in danger of overselling it, but at the same time I can't help myself — it's that remarkable. He's right.
Last, but not least, I offer a piece of music from that time
What songs do you remember??
I knew it was gonna be that song, I knew it!!
So, my mama was an actual real live torch singer back in the day. I grew up with her singing in the kitchen "In the Still of the Night", "Begin the Beguine", "Summertime", "Can't Stop Lovin' That Man O'Mine", like that. Plus we always had Glen Miller records playing and other Big Bands. I still put on Glen Miller Christmas music. And der Bingle and Nat, the first King, Cole. I love that old time music.
Posted by: Presbyterian Gal | September 30, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Wow.."String of Pearls" I think is the name of this song. I knew that would be what it was when I clicked. It is THE song that my parents and grandparents played. There were many others on the record player that played the 78 records. I still love these songs and the Ken Burns documentary has been wonderful
Posted by: Law And Gospel | October 01, 2007 at 07:06 AM
This is "In the Mood" --- String of Pearls is also a favorite.
Here is String of Pearls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuP_-xfu4T0
Posted by: Cathy | October 01, 2007 at 07:10 AM
I've already ordered the soundtrack (OK, I'm a Amazon Addict.)
I'm stuck on the Adiago in G Minor (Albinoni). It's haunting me. I actually tear up when I hear it. It's the most beautiful piece of music -- and the backstory is so compelling.
BTW, I noticed a REAL PICTURE!! Nice to see your face.
Posted by: rev mommy | October 01, 2007 at 08:32 AM
I've already ordered the soundtrack (OK, I'm a Amazon Addict.)
I'm stuck on the Adiago in G Minor (Albinoni). It's haunting me. I actually tear up when I hear it. It's the most beautiful piece of music -- and the backstory is so compelling.
BTW, I noticed a REAL PICTURE!! Nice to see your face.
Posted by: rev mommy | October 01, 2007 at 08:34 AM
And P.S. I tagged you over at my place.
Posted by: Presbyterian Gal | October 02, 2007 at 12:49 AM
K-k-k-Katy, on the Victrola.
Swannee River, as we would drive across it.
The Lost Chord!!
Posted by: Mary Beth | October 02, 2007 at 11:47 AM
ooh....my parents were great ones for singing around the house...My Father sang songs that HIS Father had sung to him while growing up, - those were the songs of WW1 - It's a long way to Tipperary - When I tell them how beautiful you are - Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
He and my mother did their courting to numbers like "A nightingale sang in Berkley Square" "That lovely weekend" and "We'll meet again"...
When it was the 50th anniversary of D Day, there were lots of 40s celebrations - I'll always remember one in the market square of the local (very) small town, where the PA system broke down in the course of the evening, and it didn't matter at all because there were so many there reared on the songs, we all just kept on singing.
Posted by: Kathryn | October 02, 2007 at 11:48 AM
"I'll be seeing you in
all the old familar places..."
Billie Holiday
Posted by: rev mommy | October 03, 2007 at 02:56 PM
"I'll be seeing you in
all the old familar places..."
Billie Holiday
Posted by: rev mommy | October 03, 2007 at 02:57 PM