Greetings and Happy Weekend! Again, Saturday is devoted to poetry and music. This week’s poetry is in the form of the lyrics of a tune sung at the memorial service for Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week. Thank you, David Lash, for pointing to this beautiful piece. POETRY American Anthem By Gene Scheer All we’ve been given By those who came before The dream of a nation Where freedom would endure The work and prayers Of centuries Have brought us to this day What shall be our legacy? What will our children say? Let them say of me I was one who believed In sharing the blessings I received Let me know in my heart When my days are through America America I gave my best to you Each generation from the plains To distant shore with the gifts What they were given Were determined To leave more Valiant battles fought together Acts of conscience fought alone These are the seeds From which America has grown Let them say of me I was one who believed In sharing the blessings I received Let me know in my heart When my days are through America America I gave my best to you For those who think They have nothing to share Who fear in their hearts There is no hero there Know each quiet act Of dignity is That which fortifies The soul of a nation That never dies Let them say of me I was one who believed In sharing the blessings I received Let me know in my heart When my days are through America America I gave my best to you MUSIC For music, I love these “Tiny Desk Concerts.” Here, also, is a wonderful at-home rendition of Smile, from Lady Gaga. Smile was written by Charlie Chaplin and was a favorite of Jerry Lewis. Lovely. Norah Jones in an NPR “Tiny Desk Concert”: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/17/902352710/norah-jones-tiny-desk-home-concert Lady Gaga performing "Smile” from home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCNM706Iv8M BONUS TRACKS Here is Norah Jones, singing “American Anthem” in Ken Burns’s “The War,” with a collage of WWII scenes: http://genescheer.com/project/american-anthem/?et_rid=684854095&s_campaign=fastforward:newsletter. And here is Mezzo-Soprano Denyce Graves, friend of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, singing the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIGnlIymhUU&et_rid=684854095&s_campaign=fastforward:newsletter Keep smiling, Glenn
Glenn Sonnenberg
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