panda ponders

This is one of my favorite fan vids of Mr. Darcy. It’s a great split screen comparison of the 2 most recent versions. There will never be an equal to the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle 1995 version, however, the 2005 version does have some interesting interpretations!

I was listening to the radio in my truck today and I heard the DJ say that this song was really great but was not played everywhere in the country (yet?) and a lot of requests were coming in for it. It’s called “Arlington” and is sung by Trace Adkins. Just from the title, you know what it is going to be about.

Arlington ~ Trace Adkins
track 2 on Songs About Me

I never thought that this is where I’d settle down
I thought I’d die an old man back in my hometown
They gave me this plot of land
Me and some other men
For a job well done
There’s a big white house, sits on a hill, just up the road
The man inside, he cried the day they brought me home
They folded up a flag
And told my mom and dad
‘We’re proud of your son’

And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property
I’m on sacred ground, and I’m in the best of company
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done
I can rest in peace, I’m one of the chosen ones
I made it to Arlington

I remember Daddy brought me here when I was eight
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay
When we finally found that cross
He said ‘Son, this is what it costs
To keep us free’
Now here I am, a thousand stones away from him
He recognized me on the first day I came in
And it gave me a chill
When he clicked his heels
And saluted me

And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property
I’m on sacred ground, and I’m in the best of company
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done
I can rest in peace, I’m one of the chosen ones
I made it to Arlington

And every time I hear twenty-one guns
I know they brought another hero home to us

We’re thankful for those thankful for the things we’ve done
We can rest in peace, ‘cause we are the chosen ones
We made it to Arlington

Yeah, dust to dust
Don’t cry for us
We made it to Arlington

I am not ashamed to say, this song brought tears to my eyes. You can hear Trace sing the chorus to “Arlington” along with the other songs on the cd and find out more about Trace at his website. I found the lyrics here.

With all the drama surrounding a lot of the singers/songwriters who push their liberal, anti-Bush/Military/American beliefs … it is sobering when some singers stand up and tell things like they really are. More and more, it is Country singers that fill that roll. I find that I can not listen to the stations I have always listened to, because the songs I loved are now tainted with their singers left politics.

My family had a few WWII veterans and several more that were like family. One of those men was Preston “Pug” Harris, who was listed as killed in action on Nov. 22, 1944, a mere 8 days shy of his 24th birthday. His remains were never found … until a German construction crew uncovered a shallow grave. They quickly contacted the proper authorities and finally in March of this year … a funeral for “Pug” was held in Greenville, Texas. The Army chaplain that conducted the service, an immigrant, is in this country because people like Pug died to keep freedom alive. (More on Pug is here, here, and here.)

At the end of this post, there are some music related links. If you only go to one link … I believe the one for Cliff Soon’s song “If I Fall …” would be the one that is most appropriate for these times. He was “Born in Singapore, raised in Malaysia; Chinese by birth but American at heart” and has a great tribute in the form of a music video.

Earlier this year, I was at a seminar that had such speakers as Rudolph W. Giuliani and General Tommy Franks. Their speeches were very memorable indeed but one of the most dramatic moments came from a previous speaker. Krish Dhanam, born in India and now a very successful business man in America, asked for every man and woman who had ever served in the military in any way, shape, fashion, or form to stand … “So that this immigrant can thank you” for his being able to be here in America and be a success. If you ever get the chance to hear Krish speak … take it. From another Tx blogger:

Next, a Zigler protege named Krish Dhanam spoke on goal achievement. He also was very good. What I took from his presentation was this: he is from India, the world’s largest democracy, and he love, love, loves America. He has seen the other side of the fence and not only is the grass greener here, but, there is no grass there. Put that in your hash-pipes and smoke it lefties. America is great, just ask an immigrant.

Now on to the music — As a platform for ideas, morals, criticisms, and honors, music is a powerful aspect of our culture. Sometimes our music does a better job of honoring those who so greatly deserve it, than any other spoken words can.

Here are some highlights from just a few of our many patriotic songs:

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!

U.S. Air Force Anthem: Off We Go!

Here’s a toast to the host of those
Who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send the message
Of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar, to score the rainbow’s pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast the US Air Force.

U.S. Marine Corps Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country’s battles, In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

The U.S. Army Anthem: The Caissons Go Rolling Along

In the storm, in the night, Action left or action right,
See those Caissons go rolling along,
Limber front, limber rear,
Prepare to mount your cannoneer,
And those Caissons go rolling along.

U.S. Navy Hymn: Eternal Father, Strong to Save

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

U.S. Coast Guard Anthem: Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

We’re always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell, To win our victory.
“Semper Paratus” is our guide, Our pledge, our motto, too.
We’re “Always Ready,” do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

Ballad of the Green Berets Lyrics written by SSgt Barry Sadler

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest, These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today,
But only three win the Green Beret

Music Lyrics: ( a very brief list, I know I am leaving a lot of great ones out)
Alan Jackson ~ Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)
Toby Keith ~ American Soldier, Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue
Randy Travis ~ America Will Always Stand
Darryl Worley ~ Have You Forgotten
Clint Black ~ I RAQ AND ROLL
Roxie Dean ~ A Soldier’s Wife

Music Links:
Music Video by Cliff Soon ~ If I Fall …
John Wayne and his patriotic MP3’s
Patriotic Music to Honor Our Nation and Its Heroes
Patriotic & Inspirational Songs Of America
Memorial Day Music

Other music related news:
Anxiety and Memory: Their Effects on Cognition and Musical Performance
Music improves autobiographical memory Recall in alzheimer’s disease patients
Music has power