That Obama commercial with Paul Simon singing makes me

[Critters2]

:cry:

Every damn time!

:cry:

[crim son]

1. I hear you.

I had trouble getting it to load and so I heard the beginning over and over. Great song. Great commercial.

[Critters2]

2. It's been on CNN several times lately. Always moves me to tears. nt

[applegrove]

3. Do you have a link?

[Critters2]

6. Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFYAuRwPLSs


Grab a kleenex!

[applegrove]

15. Thanks. Was poignant.

[StrongBad]

4. It grabs your attention, I usually am able to tune out political ads...

...but that one caught my eye for sure.

[StrongBad]

5. It grabs your attention, I usually am able to tune out political ads...

...but that one caught my eye for sure.

[CBHagman]

7. Excellent use of that song.

A great blending of theme, lyric, melody, and political message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbuLchsauKs

By the way, classical music fans and anybody who ever sang "O Sacred Head, Surrounded" will recognize the tune (Yeah, Paul Simon acknowledges borrowing).

[Critters2]

8. I kenw it!! I knew that was "O Sacred Head". Recognized it right away.

Which may be another reason it moves me to tears.

[CTyankee]

9. Isn't it "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"? I never heard of it the other way.

But, what do I know...I'm really not up on my sacred music...

[CBHagman]

10. No, you are correct as well!

The text varies, but the theme is the same, and so is the tune. Simon said he picked it up from Bach, but as far as I know the tune is older than that. Here are some links discussing the Simon song, its text, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, etc.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/2/232631/945

http://alivingprayer.blogspot.com/2008/03/o-sacred-head-sore-wounded.html

http://music.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/0104_passion/

http://www.solopassion.com/node/971

[CTyankee]

11. Thank you for the back story you linked to. I appreciate that.

Here in New Haven we have Yale's Institute of Sacred Music, a dept. that merges the School of Music with the Divinity School. They do absolutely beautiful sacred music and it is a magical thing to hear.

BTW, my source for the title was my late mother in law's Congregational Church's hymnal. She was a volunteer organist for her local church in Kenosha, WI.

[grasswire]

12. lucky you, to be able to take part in Yale's cultural offerings.

I loved being on campus a few years ago when I was researching the papers of an ancestor (Izraiah Wetmore, class of 1748).

[CTyankee]

13. Whoa, how great! I did research on an academic topic and it was amazing.

I wonder if it was one of our old churches where you did your research. There's the one on the Green of course and a couple of other ones...or was it just at Yale's archives? Which ones did you research? I'd love to know where you go to do this.

Thanks so much!

[grasswire]

14. at the rare book library on campus

They hold some of his writings and published sermon to the legislature. I was able to have photocopies made of some things there, but another piece I had to take notes from; they wouldn't copy it. God, it was thrilling to hold in my hand something the hand of my ancestor had touched.

[CTyankee]

16. That is so fabulous. I love your story, it is so fascinating to me.

How wonderful for you. Where do you live now?

[grasswire]

18. my mother's family left Connecticut in 1924..

...after nearly 300 years there. My grandmother and grandfather and their six children crossed the continental U.S. in an open touring car to Washington State. They drove on rutted dirt roads in places, camped in school yards, and crossed the Rocky Mountains to get there. A grand adventure! However, they left behind centuries of family roots, and I often feel sad about not living there.

This Yale ancestor was the first parson of Stratford. He was controversial during the American Revolution, and spoke in inflammatory terms. There's a story published in the old Yankee Magazine about him, telling of the day when the news of the British surrender at Yorktown reached Stratford. It was Sunday, and church was in session. The news was handed to him, and he announced it to his congregation. Then he said something like "It's not proper to cheer in church, but we will give three silent huzzahs for this victory" and led the people in three "hip hip hoorays." Very cool.

Now, I'm sorry for this sub thread.

[reyd reid reed]

17. Me too.

Every time.