From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V6 #194 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Sunday, September 12 2004 Volume 06 : Number 194 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] "So Says The Whippoorwill" ["ptpowerlists@juno.com" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 20:03:52 GMT From: "ptpowerlists@juno.com" Subject: [RS] "So Says The Whippoorwill" One of the reasons that I miss the original fourth verse of "So Says The Whippoorwill" is what I have always thought the song -- with five verses -- is an argument between Richard (or "the singer") and himself. As RonG so astutely noted several months ago... >>"I've often seen the verses as being about the places one turns to in order to get out of [ruts]. Nature in the first verse, [one's] heart in the second, love in the third, and religion in the fourth.<< The fifth verse is either a return to nature (the mountaineer on his cliff) or it's yet another refuge -- friendship. In the former case, of course, it would mark the beginning of a new cycle of questioning. Note that the choice of words is 1. "So says the whippoorwill" 2. "OR so say all the guards" 3. "So say my true love's eyes" 4. "OR so says Father Brown" 5. "So says the mountaineer" It's as if he *wants* to believe the whippoorwill, his true love's eyes and the mountaineer, but that he's not so sure about what the guards (his own heart) and Father Brown (his faith) have to say. The missing verse: The change could happen any day Or so says Father Brown I listen for that still small voice But I just can't make it out Beneath the constant snickering* Of the devil that I know Who would I be if I believed Who am I if I don't *Richard sang "snickering" in many early performances and it remains my preference since snickering has a more wicked sound to it than "whispering" despite the fact that the devil's whispering is probably a more dangerous (and successful?) tactic to the unsuspecting. Pat ________________________________________________________________ Get your name as your email address. Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 18:00:22 -0700 (PDT) From: adam plunkett Subject: Re: [RS] "So Says The Whippoorwill" I will admit out front that having not heard this prior to hearing the album, my opinion may be a bit different but I like the song without the extra verse. To me, the song is about a way to live life....trying to live for the moment and get to the point of being that mountaineer...despite all the times we make backwards steps in that goal. Lastly, at just reading the words, I dont think they are as well constructed as the other verses...I actually had to read it a few times to get it. Just my two cents. I really like how the last few tracks have a true hope for the future vibe to them which blends perfectly with the album's title. "ptpowerlists@juno.com" wrote: One of the reasons that I miss the original fourth verse of "So Says The Whippoorwill" is what I have always thought the song -- with five verses -- is an argument between Richard (or "the singer") and himself. As RonG so astutely noted several months ago... >>"I've often seen the verses as being about the places one turns to in order to get out of [ruts]. Nature in the first verse, [one's] heart in the second, love in the third, and religion in the fourth.<< The fifth verse is either a return to nature (the mountaineer on his cliff) or it's yet another refuge -- friendship. In the former case, of course, it would mark the beginning of a new cycle of questioning. Note that the choice of words is 1. "So says the whippoorwill" 2. "OR so say all the guards" 3. "So say my true love's eyes" 4. "OR so says Father Brown" 5. "So says the mountaineer" It's as if he *wants* to believe the whippoorwill, his true love's eyes and the mountaineer, but that he's not so sure about what the guards (his own heart) and Father Brown (his faith) have to say. The missing verse: The change could happen any day Or so says Father Brown I listen for that still small voice But I just can't make it out Beneath the constant snickering* Of the devil that I know Who would I be if I believed Who am I if I don't *Richard sang "snickering" in many early performances and it remains my preference since snickering has a more wicked sound to it than "whispering" despite the fact that the devil's whispering is probably a more dangerous (and successful?) tactic to the unsuspecting. Pat ________________________________________________________________ Get your name as your email address. Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today! Shop for Back-to-School deals on Yahoo! Shopping. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:14:48 EDT From: SMOKEY596@aol.com Subject: [RS] Gray Green...I Give! I've enjoyed all of the commentary and various interpretations about the songs on the new CD. Wondered if anyone has any insight into Gray Green, that is, what is the choice he asks them to forgive him for?? SMOKEY Angel of the lighthouse, bring me home to shore My sails they are too tattered to hold the wind any more. Sailors tell the tale of miracles in the night When a ship, lost in the storm, saw a signal light, a signal light. -Rob Cullison ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:31:17 -0400 From: Vanessa Wills Subject: Re: [RS] Gray Green...I Give! Not to be disgustingly literal, but the way I read it, the "he" in the song is asking the Three Marias to forgive him that he must close the window and shut them out in order to keep the siren from awaking the "her" of the song. The open window is letting in their sweet breeze but it lets in the siren as well, and so he must make a choice in order to keep his baby away in the beautiful sleep she is in. - --Vanessa On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:14:48 EDT, smokey596@aol.com wrote: > I've enjoyed all of the commentary and various interpretations about the > songs on the new CD. Wondered if anyone has any insight into Gray Green, that is, > what is the choice he asks them to forgive him for?? ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V6 #194 ***********************************