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"the old lamplighter"
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"the old lamplighter" |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
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A song came into my mind and heart tonight and I cannot explain how it suddenly lit up the night except to say, as a child the lyrics always made me feel safe and warm, made me know I could weather any storm as long as the old lamplighter was still hangin ‘round town. "His snowy hair, was so much brighter, beneath the candle glow. The old Lamplighter Of long, long, ago." It was written by Sammy Kaye(1944), made famous by Bing Crosby, and sung by many others. I remember my dad singing this tune to me when I was knee-high to a grasshopper (one of his favorite sayings). Funny, but my father also wrote poetry, most of which disappeared long, long ago, thrown haphazardly into the trash cans that lined his gypsy-like life’s pathway. But I was given one he wrote about how sad he was when my mother kicked him out of her life. I’ve attempted many times to incorporate it within song lyrics, but have never yet finished the song to my satisfaction. Maybe, some day, if some day ever comes. It’s amazing what a few words can do. But then, why am I telling you? It’s obvious, you already believe in poetry. And tonight, the Old Lamplighter of long long ago, has re-lit a long-hidden lamp. |
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| © Copyright 2004 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well I knew this would be special, and it was. Sounds to me that the apple maybe didn't fall to far from the tree. Strange how our memory works isn't it? Such bittersweet memories, but always delivered in gold and silver threads. Lovely write Kacy. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
 yepand in the song, I wrote "no one understood you, but too late, maybe me; for we always had to sing the melody our own way" |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
You know when I read this it grabbed itself a rhythm from a wee corner of my brain, then a melody, and before I knew it I was humming to it. It took on a new life of its own and became an almost simmilar song that I too could have sung once upon a time. That probably made no sense to you, just ignore me, I'm talking to myself here I guess.  |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Nope, can't ignore you. LOL, and it makes perfect sense to me, Sharon. Hum away, make the melody suit your own personal memories.  hugs to you. Yanno, sometimes, we have parallel song books. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
smiling, actually, I don't know the song, but did immediately think of Tarot (naturally) card #IX of the major arcana, "The Hermit". My favorite, actually, he kinda reminds me of Ed... (wranx-yeti Ed) Enjoyed the poem and thought I'd let you know. You're a joy, so keep lighting those lamps.  |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I know nothing of Tarot, but what you say about our yeti seems to be true. Thanks for reading. Now, what should I be reading to understand this Tarot business? |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Hey Kace! I usually suggest to people they start with Rider-Waite deck because the symbolism in the deck is basic, but well drawn--even the lower arcana cards offer a pictorial on each card, which isn't necessarily a standard. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/ I don't often use them for divination anymore, but the study of them is really beneficial in the meditative forms/exercizes of kabbalah. Also, if you find yourself really interested try running a google search on Carl Jung, archetype, major arcana, tarot, etc. (If I find what I'm looking for I'll be back to help out.) A word of caution tho--the study is fascinating and the decks are gorgeous. You just may find yourself addicted.  OH. And one of my favorite books is The Rabbi's Tarot--this gives the correspondences between the 22 images of the major arcana with the Hebrew alphabet, musical notes, colors, and more. (What got me started was a quest to make the correspondences among the 22 cards, the 22 letters of the Hebrew and the 22 chapters of the book of Revelation. And no, sigh, I haven't succeeded, and it's not exactly something anyone can tell you, either.) I'll shaddup now.  Enjoy!  |
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Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg |
It really is sad how poetry fades into history like that. I sometimes wonder if generations of my own progeny are going to look back upon what I wrote and incorporate it into their own writing. It's touching to think that your father's writing has had such an influence on you, and that you want to carry on his legacy. When you do find that perfect bit of writing you're after, I hope you share it with us. Brian "God becomes as we are that we may be as he is." ~William Blake |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
And they can be relit, that's the thing. If there's fuel, the old lamplighter can always mosey by and light 'em up one more time. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Ed? THANKS! I had forgoten all about this thread, and am delighted you dug it up.  I see you've been busy in the archives to night! Thank you so much, for taking time to read and reply to some of mine. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Partly I'm making up for lost time, and partly I'm in the mood for good poetry....and where better to find the best poetry than in Sanctuary, where only the Senior members go? ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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