New Song - That Little Dash

[Antipodean Ed]

Last year I attended the funeral of my cousin, who died in his late fifties of cancer. I was struck by something the celebrant said, about the significance of the dash between the dates of birth and death. That dash is very small, but it stands for the whole life that was lived between those dates. That's the mark that matters, more than the dates themselves.
So, here is "That Little Dash", in memory of Kevin.
Go to http://soundcloud.com/edrobins47/that-little-dash-v1

[Glennwillow]

Nice job on this, Ed.

I am sorry about the loss of your cousin. Nice eulogy for him in your song.

- Glenn

[Antipodean Ed]

Thanks for the comments, Glenn, much appreciated. By the way, loved your rendition of April, Come She will. Very pretty!

[Ryler]

Absolutely lovely. The first time I heard The Dash as a poem was at my dad's funeral. So you wrote this song inspired by that poem? Very, very well done. And I, too, offer my condolences for the loss of your cousin.

...Now I'm listening to the Ballad of Fred Wilson from your Soundcloud. That is also a nice example of your talent, soft-sung and a pleasure to listen to.

[Owen David]

Very nice and thought provoking...A dash is most appropriate: when you are young you dash around, when you are in middle age your hopes are dashed and when you are old you're dashed if you can remember anything.

I could hear the song in different styles, being sung by Celine Dion, Jacques Brel...

My favourite song commenting on the passage of time is Mary Hopkin's "Those Were the Days" (originally a Russian song).

Originally Posted by Antipodean Ed

Last year I attended the funeral of my cousin, who died in his late fifties of cancer. I was struck by something the celebrant said, about the significance of the dash between the dates of birth and death. That dash is very small, but it stands for the whole life that was lived between those dates. That's the mark that matters, more than the dates themselves.
So, here is "That Little Dash", in memory of Kevin.
Go to http://soundcloud.com/edrobins47/that-little-dash-v1

[Antipodean Ed]

Originally Posted by Ryler

Absolutely lovely. The first time I heard The Dash as a poem was at my dad's funeral. So you wrote this song inspired by that poem? Very, very well done. And I, too, offer my condolences for the loss of your cousin.

...Now I'm listening to the Ballad of Fred Wilson from your Soundcloud. That is also a nice example of your talent, soft-sung and a pleasure to listen to.

Thanks, Ryler. The poem is news to me, but probably not to the celebrant, who didn't quote it, but spoke on very similar lines. I've just looked at the poem - very simple and poignant. Thanks for the tip! Ed.

[Antipodean Ed]

Originally Posted by Owen David

Very nice and thought provoking...A dash is most appropriate: when you are young you dash around, when you are in middle age your hopes are dashed and when you are old you're dashed if you can remember anything.

I could hear the song in different styles, being sung by Celine Dion, Jacques Brel...

My favourite song commenting on the passage of time is Mary Hopkin's "Those Were the Days" (originally a Russian song).

Thanks, Owen. I'm dashed if I can remember words, so have to have them in front of me when I sing. Old age! I agree with you on Mary Hopkins' song - very wistful! Ed.

[rickwaugh]

Lovely. Dark, but lovely.

[Antipodean Ed]

Thanks, Rick. I appreciate the comment. Ed.