Danestress Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 So DH told me last night that he heard Billy Collins say on NPR that, because she used common meter, most of Emily Dickinson's poems can be sung to, "The Yellow Rose of Texas." It sort of ruins it, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 Also "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 I heard that story. And yes, it does put a different idea to her poems. The next part of the story was about the questions about her sexuality - lesbian, celibate, love affair - etc. The man being interviewed wrote a poem about making love to Emily Dickinson. THAT was far more disturbing IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Virginia Dawn Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 (edited) She's one of those "celebrities" of whom I wish I had never read a biography. That and her complete works did me in. A thousand poems on pretty thoughts of death do not appeal to me. So, it doesn't hurt me at all to know that they can be sung to the Yellow Rose of Texas. Come to think of it, what is wrong with the Yellow Rose of Texas anyway??? Edited July 7, 2010 by Virginia Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted July 7, 2010 Author Share Posted July 7, 2010 I heard that story. And yes, it does put a different idea to her poems. The next part of the story was about the questions about her sexuality - lesbian, celibate, love affair - etc. The man being interviewed wrote a poem about making love to Emily Dickinson. THAT was far more disturbing IMO. Maybe he thought it wasn't appropriate for the gentler sex, lol. He did mention something about speculation that she was an epileptic, if I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted July 7, 2010 Author Share Posted July 7, 2010 if you have it stuck in your head all day. I'd definitely rather contemplate death and eternity to a more suitable tune! She's one of those "celebrities" of whom I wish I had never read a biography. That and her complete works did me in. A thousand poems on pretty thoughts of death do not appeal to me. So, it doesn't hurt me at all to know that they can be sung to the Yellow Rose of Texas. Come to think of it, what is wrong with the Yellow Rose of Texas anyway??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Knoll Mom Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 if you have it stuck in your head all day. I'd definitely rather contemplate death and eternity to a more suitable tune! Amazing Grace and House of the Rising Sun work for her poems also. Maybe they're more suitable. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 Also they can be sung to the tune of the Giligan's Island theme song... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 Also they can be sung to the tune of the Giligan's Island theme song... OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 :lol::lol::lol: OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 Oh, mY, we are funny today!!! I love Emily, but it's kinda like that thread about movie stars and real lives--I don't really want to know every detail about her life. I guess the difference is that poets seem to write from their true selves, whereas actors try to portray someone else (but who can run, completely, from herself?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 My favorite is Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me, The carriage held but just ourselves And immortality We slowly drove, he knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too For his civility! ...and while part of me thinks it's near blasphemy to sing Dickinson poems to Gilligan's Isle, the other part of me is happy I can remember them using this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dulcimeramy Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! :lol: Here's my contribution, to the tune of the Yellow Rose of Texas: BELSHAZZAR had a letter, — He never had but one; Belshazzar’s correspondent Concluded and begun In that immortal copy 5 The conscience of us all Can read without its glasses On revelation’s wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 :lol::lol: Lovin' this thread. I needed the laugh today. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! Ok, i just snarfed coffee out my nose. :lol::lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! :lol::lol: I think this makes her poetry much more fun. I think my boys will love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 Amazing Grace and House of the Rising Sun work for her poems also. Maybe they're more suitable. :D Yes, and the words to AG are very nice sung to HotRS. Was it the Blind Boys of Alabama who did that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Does that mean I can sing Amazing Grace to the tune of Yellow Rose of Texas? That is weird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 OH, that's HILARIOUS! All together now... NEW feet within my garden go, New fingers stir the sod; A troubadour upon the elm Betrays the solitude. New children play upon the green, New weary sleep below; And still the pensive spring returns, And still the punctual snow! With Gilligan! The Skipper, too! The Millionaire, and his wife! The movie star! The professor and Mary Ann! Here on Gilligan's Isle! :lol::lol::lol: Too funny! FYI: Frost's "Stopping By Woods..." can be sung to the tune of "Fernando's Hideaway" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.