Thanks to Frankofile who challenged me to find memorable words:
Memorable words: Do you have favourite poem, something you learned as a child perhaps? Or do you find the words of song or a saying particularly memorable? A jingle from a TV ad? - Tell us what it is, why you like/don't like it, why you think it's memorable.
I actually found this incredibly difficult. There was a poem I read at school, but I couldn't remember the words, only the rhythm - hardly the most memorable poem! There are other poems that I can remember more clearly, but I cannot honestly say that they are particular favourites of mine. A jingle from a TV ad may be memorable in an annoying way, but I am not going to choose my memorable words as those that cynically endorse a product. Regarding songs, it usually tends to be the tune rather than the words of a song that I find memorable. Of course, the lyrics are important too, but I can often hum a tune without remembering them.
After a while though, I did manage to think of a song that does have memorable lyrics. In this song I believe that the lyrics are more important than the tune. It is not my intention to be controverisal here, but I have chosen 'Imagine,' by John Lennon:
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
It is the meaning behind the words of the song that I especially like here, rather than their intrinsic beauty. I think Lennon is right; a world without possessions, religion and land boundaries would most likely be a more peaceful one, as there would be little to fight over if everyone had the same harmonious view. I like his idealistic vision of world peace. Unfortunately in reality though, I am sure that there would always be something for people to fight over. I also think that many peoples' lives would have a lot less value without religion or national/cultural identity, so I am not completely endorsing Lennon's opinion. Nevertheless, I think that it is a memorable one.
I love love love this song... it was one of the first pieces I ever learned by heart on the piano. The lyrics are incredible.
ReplyDeleteYou should listen to this rendition of it... it's a 17-year-old contestant on American Idol. He's INCREDIBLE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUffD7IFAXQ
Shame you don't have a favourite poem! But I like your point about the importance of identity. Why can't we recognise a hierarchy of identities, with an overarching one of 'we're all living beings, in this together'? Will it be economic security, or education, or global disaster, that gets us to recognise this?
ReplyDeleteShop Girl - I'm glad you agree with me! I just love the lyrics. I listened to the David's version, and really enjoyed it, thanks! It was a bit different.
ReplyDeleteFrankofile - I agree that it would be better if we could recognise a hierarchy of identities (this is suggested in social psychology e.g. British people tend to see themselves as British and not European, whereas Italians consider themselves both Italian and European). Rather than abolising relgion and nations etc. like Lennon suggests, I wish that people would be more tolerant of others, and have an understanding that we are all part of humanity, all in this together. Unfortunately, I can't see anything, even a global disaster, making people realise this.