Lyrics and Vocals: American singer-songwriter, the late John Townes Van Zandt, (1944-1997).
The lyrics of a song can be sometimes difficult to interpret, and never more so than the lyrics of the song “Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel”. Personally, I believe “Miss Carousal” represents uncontrolled substance abuse and the author, Townes Van Zandt, is personifying his relationship with her. During much of Van Zandt’s own personal life he suffered from drug addiction and alcoholism. His singing tours saw him performing at various recognised disreputable public houses; while residing in cheap motel rooms, or, as in the 1970’s living in a simple shack, devoid of electricity or a telephone. The lyrics indicate that he possibly wants to quit his addiction, but he keeps being pulled back, making it seem like same addiction needs him. He possibly hopes for the day, sometime in the future, when he can fully control his addiction and not be totally at its mercy. Lines in his lyrics, appears to indicate this “You own his legs but his mind is free.Only you can tell, Miss Carousel, How long will he be crawling?”
Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel.
Well the drunken clown’s still hanging round, But it’s plain the laughter’s all died down. The tears you tried so hard to hide are flowin’. A blind man with his knife in hand, Has convinced himself that he understands, I wish him well, Miss Carousel, But I gotta be a-goin’.
Chorus. Won’t you come and get me when, You’re sure that you don’t need me then. I stand outside your window, And proudly call your name.
Well the ladies been told that all the gold, Is worth so much it can’t be sold, No time to weep she’ll need her sleep tomorrow. When she carries her face to the market place, And bets it on the opening race, She can ring her bells, Miss Carousel, But her singing brings me sorrow.
Repeat Chorus.
Well it’s always done every mother’s son, Is shown that grown men never run, And so they fight with all the might inside them. When the battle’s been fought and they all been taught, That the trick is just not being caught, Will you give them hell, Miss Carousel, When they’re begging you to hide them.
Repeat Chorus.
When the need arose your eyes fell closed, You clamped your fingers round your nose, Would you say that’s any way to judge him. Well you haven’t got the authority, To kill him in the first degree, But would you feel compelled, Miss Carousel, If you have something to begrudge him.
On a velvet beach far beneath the reach, Of those that come to pry and preach, The natural man who tries to stand is fallin. How long will it be before he sees, You own his legs but his mind is free. Only you can tell, Miss Carousel, How long will he be crawling?
Repeat Chorus.
The castle walls has grown so tall, Seem there ain’t no hope at all, To reach the top even though you stop for breathin’. But I ain’t gonna try to make you cry, The tear drops couldn’t find your eye, It’s all been swell, Miss Carousel, But the time has come for leavin’.
Vocals: Irish pop group Westlife. Lyrics: British songwriter Wayne Hector, and record producer, songwriter and musician Steve McCutcheon[known professionally as Steve Mac]
Flying Without Wings.
Everybody’s looking for that something, One thing that makes it all complete. You’ll find it in the strangest places, Places you never knew it could be. Some find it in the face of their children, Some find it in their lover’s eyes, Who can deny the joy it brings, When you’ve found that special thing, You’re flying without wings. Some find it sharing every morning, Some in their solitary nights, You’ll find it in the words of others, A simple line can make you laugh or cry. You’ll find it in the deepest friendships, The kind you cherish all your life, And when you know how much that means, You’ve found that special thing, You’re flying without wings. So, impossible as it may seem, You’ve got to fight for every dream, ‘Cause who’s to know which one you let go, Would have made you complete. Well, for me it’s waking up beside you, To watch the sunrise on your face, To know that I can say I love you, In any given time or place. It’s little things that only I know, Those are the things that make you mine, And it’s like flying without wings, ‘Cause you’re my special thing, I’m flying without wings. And you’re the place my life begins, And you’ll be where it ends, I’m flying without wings. And that’s the joy you bring, I’m flying without wings.
“New year, New you”. High interest as the search has begun to find the Next 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee.
Ms Aisling O’Donovan
This week Ms Aisling O’Donovan, latter reigning Tipperary Rose of Tralee, officially launched the search to find this year’s Rose of Tralee here in County Tipperary. It is going to be hard for the South Tipperary woman to hand on her title, especially having been the Tipperary Rose for the past two years. She remembers fondly her time as the Tipperary Rose and the last minute nudges of encouragement it took to allow her have one of the best two years of her life.
Ms O’Donovan says “Entering and becoming the Tipperary rose has been one of the proudest moments of my life so far. Being able to represent my county on a local, national, and International base is a fantastic feeling that words can’t even describe. This was not only a personal growth and confidence level but the friendships I have made for life, along with the many, many reunions/ events I have attended over the years with my fellow roses and rose escorts; from the week in Tralee to the opening of the German Christmas Markets in Frankfort and our walking in the St Patrick’s day parade on Fifth Avenue New York. Although my reign has lasted two years it has also allowed the time to attend each other’s life events, including weddings and numerous getaways”.
Ms O’Donovan continued, “I would recommend this festival to anyone, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so much more than what you see on TV. You get to meet so many amazing people, do some amazing things, and become an inspiration to so many girls and women. I would say to anyone that has ever thought about becoming a rose; don’t miss out on something great, because of fear; it’s your time, new year, new you, just apply”.
There is no better time to enter as the Tipperary Rose. Due to the gap caused by the pandemic and following the festivals latest new departure, there is an assurance that every Rose will enjoy a positive experience during her year as her region’s ambassador. The Festival organizers have revamped the selection process by removing the regional qualification process and increasing the age limit, so with no Tipperary Rose since 2022 and the next after this year will be 2026, interest is expected to be high.
Ciarán and the team that Co-ordinates the Tipperary event said: “Aisling has been a true lady and credit to her community throughout her extended time as reigning Tipperary rose of Tralee. She was a great ambassador for her family; County Tipperary, and South Tipperary in general and we want to thank everyone for getting behind her on her trip to Tralee. This year is a big year for the county as there are big changes, which will mean we will only have a Tipperary rose once every two years, so this year is a great and even better opportunity for every young lady to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the full. We can confirm after the Covid break and the changes to the festival, the breaking news is that there WILL be a 2024 Tipperary Rose of Tralee selection final this year, with the event taking place on the 24st of March 2024 in the Anner Hotel, Thurles. Note closing date for entrants is the 2nd of March, with new direct entry to the Final night.
Changes mean there are now no regional final elements to the festival, so the chosen Tipperary Rose will go directly to the Stage Interview with the main presenter Mr Dáithí Ó Sé in the Dome in Tralee, Co. Kerry. The age limit has gone up a year to 29, so once you’ve not reached your 30th birthday by the 1st of September 2024, you are still in the competition. Due to the pandemic and the biannual selection this means the Premier County did not have a Tipperary Rose since Ms O’Donovan, the 2022 Rose, and Tipperary won’t have one again till 2026; hence we need help to get that message out there, that the search is on for 2024 with only a six-week window to apply. This year there is no better time than now to give it a go and apply, so if YOU or anyone you know; or living in Tipperary, that you think would make a great Rose for county Tipperary in 2024; do pass the message along; all are welcome.
The chosen Tipperary Rose will travel “Via the Rose Tour” to the International Festival in Tralee, in August and will take part in all the parades, official events, and numerous public engagements at the festival from which 32 Roses will appear in the live selection broadcasts.
More information can be found by searching or DM “(@tipperaryroseoftralee)”, or by texting 086 3871635. Applications can be found via https://roseoftralee.ie/apply-to-the-rose-of-tralee/ . Remember: The closing date will be the 2nd of March 2024 and the Tipperary selection will be held at the Anner Hotel, Thurles, on the 24th of March 2024.
The Rose of Tralee International Festival will be celebrated from Friday 16th – Tuesday 20th of August 2024.
There is no right or wrong way to feel, following the loss of a friend or relative, through death or otherwise. You may think that you will grieve less or cope better with the lapse of time. However, you will for a long time, feel a mix of various emotions; sadness, anger, in some cases even guilt, depending on your level of affinity and connectivity.
Catch The Wind.
Lyrics: Written by Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer Donovan Phillips Leitch, known mononymously as Donovan. Vocals: Scottish singer Donovan and American country music singer Crystal Gayle.
[Amazing harmony in this particular rendition]
Catch The Wind.
In the chilly hours and minutes, Of uncertainty I want to be, In the warm hold of your loving mind. To feel you all around me, And to take your hand along the sand, Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
When the sundown pales the sky, I want to hide a while behind your smile, And everywhere I’d look, your eyes I’d find. For me to love you now, Would be the sweetest thing, t’would make me sing, Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
When rain has hung the leaves with tears, I want you near to kill my fears, For to help me to leave all my blues behind. For standing in your heart, Is where I want to be and I long to be, Ah, but I may as well try and catch, I may as well try and catch, I may as well try and catch the wind.
Cashel Library will celebrate St. Brigid, with an event taking place on Tuesday morning next, January 30th at 11:00am sharp.
This year 2024 we celebrate over 3,000 years of ‘Brigid the Goddess’, and 1,500 years of ‘Brigid the Saint’, which is what makes her legacy so enduring.
Cashel Librarian, Ms Maura Barrett, will, on Tuesday morning next, cast more light on the St Brigid story.
Dandelion Flower. (Irish: ‘Bearnán Bhríde’). The Dandelion Flower is long associated with Saint Brigid (known in Irish as ‘Bearnán Bhríde’). It is one of the first blossoms observed after Saint Brigid’s day and it is said that every time you see one in bloom you should think of the bright flame of faith that is Saint Brigid. The flower also signifies that Saint Brigid was one of the first people, thousands of years ago, to draw attention to, and champion biodiversity, through her care of flora and fauna and her knowledge of the environment.
Brigid’s Bird. (Irish: Brìd-eun meaning ‘Brigid’s bird’ or ‘Giolla-Brìghde’ meaning ‘Servant of Bride’). The bird known as the Oystercatcher is connected to St Brigid of Kildare. Legend states St Brigid was running away from a band of evil men, who wished her dead. Alone and on reaching a beach where there was no place to hide, she said a prayer to God to thank him for her life, before lying on the sand to accept her death. However, before the evil men reached where she lay, Oystercatcher birds scavenging on the shoreline, saw her, and realised her predicament covered her with seaweed, thus hiding her and saving her life. She later is said to have blessed the species and since that day the Oystercatcher bird has been linked to Ireland’s principal female saint.
The public are invited to please come along to attend this informative lecture, but please remember booking is essential, so please make contact in advance by Telephoning Cashel Library at 062 63825 or 062 63856, to be sure of a seat.
Note: Tea and Coffee will be served. [ You can locate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX) ].
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