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’.
Statement from the Minister for Justice on publication of a ‘Request for Tender’ for Body Worn Cameras by An Garda Síochána.
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee has stated, “The government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources, the equipment and the technology necessary to build stronger, safer communities. This includes ensuring that Gardaí have body worn cameras, which has been a priority of mine for some time. This Request for Tender for the procurement of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) represents another important step forward in our fight against crime. Body cameras will be an important tool in An Garda Síochána’s armour as they fight crime, and the Recording Devices Bill, which I brought through the Houses last year, laid the groundwork for this announcement. Procuring cameras for these pilots now means that before the Summer there will be cameras on Gardaí in Limerick and Waterford, as well as two areas of Dublin City, ahead of a nation-wide roll-out. These trials will give Gardaí a chance to understand fully what the cameras can offer, and also allow the public to provide feedback, before we roll them out across the full organisation. The cameras will be small, lightweight, and visible and based on the experiences of other police services internationally, they will enhance accountability, reduce challenges around arrests and reduce complaints of Garda misconduct”.
Mrs McEntee continued, “We also expect they will save time in court preparation and appearances, lower costs for investigations and court appearances and improve An Garda Síochána’s ability to collect evidence for trial. All footage recorded by the cameras will be deleted after an agreed time period if not required as evidence. Most importantly, body worn cameras will better protect victims and improve safety for Gardaí”.
Tomorrow, Tuesday February 6th, 2024, is ‘Safer Internet Day’.
Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, funded by the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission. They provide excellent information and support for parents on how to promote safer internet use, so do visit HERE.
Another helpful site can be viewed HERE, which provides up-to-date information on movies, apps, podcasts, games and other media aimed at kids.
Please watch the YouTube video hereunder, for a previous talk given by Avril Ronan on Gaming Safety and Kids.
For Safer Internet Day 2024, Avril Ronan, from Trend Micro (a global cybersecurity leader), is offering a free webinar for parents, teachers and other adults working with young people, on ‘Let’s Talk Kids, Teens and Screen Time Challenges’.
Her talk will explore the screen time battles and challenges faced by so many parents today and it will offer practical advice, top tips, and a question and answer session.
This event is totally free and takes place on Tuesday 7th February 2024 at 7:00pm. It will last approximately 1 hour followed by 30 minutes of question and answer time. You can register to attend this Zoom webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: https://www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/eventsie. [Please note also that Irish Sign language interpreters will sign at this event.]
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.
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.
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