Bob:
I was thinking about Passion Play and then certain lines from "As You
Like It" began lapping at my brian...and I hope this is accurate...but
it goes:
"And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
I would not change it"
Do not quote me on it though....long time since I learned it. We all
find solace in different ways.....
Sharon
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> <<I'm sticking to my own interpretation: Joni wrote this to describe an awakening
>she had in regard to control of her own career(s) in her various
> art disciplines. >>
>
> You can certainly do that, CC, but I think it takes heavy denial to do so. After
>all, she's written her fair share of "I Hate Show Business" songs, and this one has a
>whole different feel. And how do these lines fit into your analysis?:
>
> <<Never before was a man so kind, Never so redeeming>>
>
> Is she referring to David Geffen? I don't think so!
>
> <<I am up a sycamore
> Looking through the leaves
> A sinner of some position
> Who in the world can this heart healer be
> This magical physician>>
>
> Why segue from a description of Jesus & Mary Magdalene to a segue of Jesus &
>Zaccheus, if Jesus isn't a central reason for the song? And would Joni ever refer to
>herself as "A sinner of some position"? Maybe in a sarcastic way, but I don't hear
>the sarcasm here. The melody is pretty, as is her voice when she sings the song; very
>tender & kind.
>
> <<Enter the multitudes
> The walking wounded
> They come to this diver of the heart>>
>
> Refers to Jesus' miracles of healing and his charisma to reach large groups of
>people through his passion & compassion.
>
> <<Thy kingdom come
> Thy will be done>>
>
> Lifted straight from The Lord's Prayer...
>
> <<Oh climb down climb down he says to me
> >From the middle of unrest
> They think is light is squandered
> But he sees a stray in the wilderness
> And I see how far I've wandered>>
>
> Finishes the Zaccheus story; Zaccheus' encounter with Jesus influenced him to return
>all the monies he had swindled, with a profit to boot.
>
> <<Oh all around the marketplace
> The buzzing of the flies
> The buzzing and the stinging
> Divinely barren
> And wickedly wise
> The killer nails are ringing>>
>
> You said: "I think that her writing is often both less complicated and less linear
>than we as pundits
> might seek."...so why not interpret the above in a less complicated way? Joni wasn't
>"barren" be definition, she'd previously given birth.
>
> Why is there a "multitude" of Christ-like references, if he's not a prime motivation
>for the song? By the same token, "Judgement of the Moon & Stars" is all about
>Beethoven, and ALSO all about her...
>
> <<So far, I personally think that "Exxon Blue" and "Radiation Rose" are simply
>colors, named like ones you would find in a Crayola crayon box. >>
>
> This one's the biggest stretch of all for me...do you sincerely think she chose the
>words "Exxon" & "radiation" at random, or because they sounded good with Blue & Rose?
>So be it, I guess, but I think you really have to dig a bit more than that.
>
> Don't get me wrong: we all bring our own wisdom & experiences to these songs, and
>neither of us is right or wrong. I enjoyed your post very much!
>
> Another point in this song is the pattern of the inserted words of the chorus:
>
> Ecstasy
> Misery
> Apathy
> Tragedy
>
> Is it random? Why not repeat the same word each time?
>
> Like I say, I don't know any more than the next guy, but I DO enjoy talking about it!
>
> Bob
>
> NP: Sugar, "Granny Cool"
