(no subject)

[rivendellrose]

Interesting conversation going on here about what book people would choose to memorize if they were in a situation like that of Bradbury's Farenheit 451, where the world must return to a system in which literature can only be retained via personal memory and recitation. There are way too many comments, at this point, for me to wade through and make my contribution, but this discussion hit off something I was talking with narsilion about last night, and a bit with theladyfeylene a few nights before: do you find it worthwhile to memorize pieces of literature?

For myself, I love having things memorized, but I rarely actually think to go forth with the intention of memorizing something unless it's required, either for a class or a play or something. Which makes me really sad, because when I'm sick, or bored at work, or stuck somewhere waiting for a bus, or pretty much anytime I'm doing something mindless, I love to have words to recite. They're like a touchstone to me, they make me feel better. It doesn't matter what the words are - I've gotten a lot of comfort out of reciting Baudelaire's "L'albatros," or Auden's "Roman Wall Blues," both of which are actually a fairly depressing poems. It's just the words themselves, and having something to recite. I'd love to have some of the prayers and charms I know memorized - for a while I was memorizing the Prayer of St Francis, but partway through I stopped and have since lost it. But no matter what it is, words in and of themselves are comforting and cheering to me.

I guess this is just my way of saying... I'm going to memorize some more things. It doesn't take me all that long, and it makes me happy, darn it. I want to carry these things in my mind and heart, so I'm going to do it, rather than just thinking "gee, I wish I had more" every time I get on a recitation kick.

Comments

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

It's funny that you brought this up, bacause I was thinking about it on the way home, and you know, I actually do memorize quite a few things, I guess I just never realized how often. I know that sounds sily, but when I'm at work I find myself reciting things (not prayers or charms) usually just fun or interesting things to keep my mind busy during the mindless hours that are my job.
I'm glad we talked about it because I learned something about myself I really hadn't thought much about before.
Have a great weekend to youand the roomies.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean that prayers or charms or anything are significant in the reciting of things - I meant that the recitation is what matters, not really what you're reciting. There are probably people who get as much comfort from reciting the... periodic table, or the multiplication tables, as I do from reciting Shakespeare. It's the grounding effect of reciting something familiar and comforting and important to you that seems to be what matters.

There was a book where somebody recited the multiplication tables. I can't remember what it was, or why.

[(Anonymous)]

Heh... reminds me of Gibson's "Pattern Recognition." The heroine's mantra is "He took a duck in the face at two hundred and fifty knots."

What about singing? I made up a set of bluesy stanzas I hum whenever I'm alone with nothing to do. Someone once taught me a short round:

Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose
When will I see thee wed?
I will marry at thy will, sire
At thy will

I don't know what it is or where she got it from, but it's great in stairwells, any place with echo-y acoustics. She taught it to me while we were touring ruins in Scotland--brings back good memories, makes me happy.

I used to know the Prayer of Saint Francis as a song, too. Have you heard it that way? It's beautiful. Well, the folky version is beautiful... there's a more choral, more--I don't want to say "uptight," but can't think of the proper word--version of the song that just doesn't hit the same spot. I also haven't found a recorded version that hits it, so I have to wonder where the person that taught it to me came up with their rhythm.

Anything you like to sing instead of recite?

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! That round has the same tune as another traditional one that I know - I learned one during a medieval festival at middle school, and the other in the SCA. The other is:

Hey, ho, nobody home.
Meat nor drink nor money have I none;
Still I will be merry...

(with 'merry' repeated, as 'at thy will' is in the version I know). I sing or hum songs almost constantly, if I think I can get away with it - show tunes, folk songs, Loreena McKennit, contemporary stuff... anything. Most common when nothing else has been triggered seems to be "Hooked on a Feeling" - it's like it's some sort of weird default song for my mind.

I've heard of the Prayer of Saint Francis as a song, but never actually heard it - Sarah McLachlan did a version, but it's only on one very old and hard to find CD, and I haven't coaxed myself into buying it, yet. I probably will, though - she's my favorite singer.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my god, you are totally right. About the "Hey ho nobody home" verse. I totally forgot about that. Back in, like, third grade, they taught us a song by Peter, Paul and Mary in music education. I really, really liked one of the songs, so picked up a cd--is there anything better than three-part vocals with guitar accompaniment?--and that song was on there too. "Soul Cake," I think it was called... damn... I wonder where that cd went...

The song version's worth a listen. Often, it's listed as "Make Me a Channel of your Peace." An Altavista audio search didn't find the McLaughlin version, but here are a couple others:

Sinead O'Connor - http://www.krik.nl/MP3.html
Solo Vocalist w/ Organ - http://www.stroseoflima.com/music/weddingform.htm
Chorus w/ Piano - http://www.anniew.com/Prayer%20of%20St.%20Francis%20-%20Catholic%20Classics.mp3

Oh, wow... just heard a sound clip from the McLachlin version... are you a stickler for the original wording? She keeps it, the others don't. Different tune for that reason, of course. Not bad, but not as easy as an on-your-own song... more complex rhythm.

While we're at it, page with the words to the version I'm familiar with:

http://sps.nus.edu.sg/~vaidyagi/verse/make_me_a_channel.html

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

And they're both such good rounds, too. I like "Rose" better, but either has a great quality when sung in parts and in a round.

I'll have to take a look at the versions you linked to - I checked Sarah Mclachlan's official webpage and can't even find a listing for the Prayer of Saint Francis, so it doesn't seem to be on any of her actual CDs. I'm starting to wonder if it wasn't a case of someone mistaking someone else's voice for hers, but I could've sworn I actually saw it listed somewhere semi-official. I'll have to do some searching. I really am a bit of a stickler for wording, although the necessary complexity of rhythm for that one will definitely make it tough.

[(Anonymous)]

If you file share, the McLachlin version is available on whatever network Kazaa uses.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I got rid of Kazaa and the other file-sharing programs a few years ago - they were eating up my computer with pop-ups and stuff, and I was having 'moral issues' with the file-sharing thing. Ah well - I think I finally figured out that it was on a special edition of "Surfacing," so I might just have to keep my eyes open for it used.

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

No, I knew what you meant. I was just pointing out that I generally seem to recite "lighter" things, as you are much deeper and much more serious that I am as a general rule.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

*Shrugs* Depends on the situation, but I suppose so.

[(Anonymous)]

Reminds me of Soviet Russia. Can you imagine having to smuggle your work out of the country in the minds of friends and acquantainces to have it published? Art as espionage... scary.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Ah, but there's nothing more subversive than good art!