Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief
I can’t begin to count the number of times they played Hail to the Chief today. I got to wondering where this earworm* came from. Seems the words are from Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake, published in 1810. (Yes there are words!) And the music, by James Sanderson, is from the London musical version of the poem. It didn’t take long to cross "the pond" and in 1815 was used at a memorial service for George Washington. According to the , Julia Tyler, wife of President John Tyler (who served from 1841 to 1845), was the first to ask that the song be used to announce the commander in chief's arrival. But it was another first lady, Sarah Polk, wife of President James K. Polk (1845-1849), who requested that "Hail to the Chief" be played routinely for presidential entrances. According to historian William Seale, Sarah Polk was concerned that her husband "was not an impressive figure, so some announcement was necessary to avoid the embarrassment of his entering a crowded room unnoticed." Funny how a short man’s insecurity lead to this Presidential March based on a London music hall melody! So I promised you the words…..enjoy! Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation, Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all. Hail to the Chief, as we pledge co-operation In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call. Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander, This you will do, That's our strong, firm belief. Hail to the one we selected as commander, Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief! [Repeat as often as necessary to get him where he‘s going!] * an "earworm" is a tune that once you hear it, you just can't get outta your head!

Happy Birthday Dear Martin

Sorry to be away so long. It’s been one of those strange and delightful weeks…I’ll explain sometime.
Today we celebrate the Rev. Martin Luther King.
I grew up in Salt Lake City, not a hotbed of civil rights! All my life I knew Hispanics and Native Americans ( I won’t repeat what most people called these folks) but I didn’t meet an African American until I was 18. I grew up in a church that at that time taught that blacks carried the "mark of Cain." Cursed they couldn’t hold the "Priesthood" (something that every other boy in the church received at age 12.
In 1968 I was a senior at Highland High School and also a student at the Highland LDS Seminary, a released time non-credit program for Mormon high school students. I sang with the Seminary Choir. One night at our weekly rehearsal someone interrupted to announce that Dr. King had been slain…the room erupted in cheers. (Everybody "knew" he was a communist, right?) I slipped out the back door went out to my dad’s car and broke down in tears. It wasn’t because I was particularly sensitive to the plight of blacks or the struggles for freedom. Somehow I knew this man was changing the world. I was overwhelmed with sadness and I didn’t know why! As I look back I am so glad I cried instead of cheered. At least I don’t have that on my conscience!

I keep talking about "we"...well this is the man who makes "me" into "we" and "us"!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

Here in Baltimore we are having a very early Spring...rain instead of snow, dark cloudy skies instead of glaringly bright off of snow. Most bizarre.
Last Sunday we cohosted an Open House with our backdoor neighbor (and my longest term friend) Steven. Our friends and business partners Jeff and Isaac came up from Bowie with Jeff's dad and two cousins visiting for the holidays. Our friends Kate and Pam brought two friends who are moving here from Florida. Mark and Dennis, a couple from across town, and Ed and Rick two of the most talented artists/musicians I've ever known. Patty Kay our next door neighbor also stopped by. It was good to gather after the holiday chaos. Eat and catch up. I made a fabulous pork roast and some vegitarian curry/chili. We ate a lot, drank enough and all had a good time. And so it is in a world beset by tsunamis, war, chaos and confusion a handful of people gathered onthe 8th Day of Christmas. For all my complaining I have to admit that I am well blessed in the friends I have around me. They are my real family.
That's all, nothing profound, no great poetry just the musings of an old bear in Baltimore! Grace and Peace!

Auld Lang Syne

Every year around this time of night we hear one of the innumerable versions of Robert Burns classic Auld Lang Syne. Written in 1788 I can't help but wonder how many have read the words and, considering the thick Scot's dialect, understood them. So here's your chance to at least read them. Good luck with the translation!

Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, S
in' auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

And so we end 2004 and begin 2005.
2004 was a hard year for us but we survived it in reasonably fine style. Let us hope that 2005 will be a better year. My hope for you and us is this: May there be fewer strangers and more friends in our lives and may the friends we have this night be our friends this time next year.
And may we be at peace in our hearts, our families, our lives and our world.
Much Love