2 -3 July 2011 Bells of Rhymney
I first heard Pete Seeger perform this song on a vinyl LP nearly four decades in the past. The Byrds recorded a folk-rock version of it that received a lot of acclaim and a lot of play. However, I liked the simpler acoustic rendition better then and still do today.
I hadn't heard anyone perform the song in many years and now the song is stuck in my head.
The association of a labor union campaign song with the parent piece, “Bells of St. Clements has strong ties to the Orwell novel 1984; which was my first exposure to the parent poem.
I began this entry in the visitor's center lobby in Jonesborough TN. This weekend is an annual street festival with music, venders, craft and other booths along a blocked off main drag.
Gloria drove in this morning to look at the craft booths, meet an ETSY acquaintance, and see the parade. We've been back in town since 1940, as there is a contra dance tonight. Within an hour of our arrival, I wound up at the gate table.
Tomorrow there are more dances, including one from 1900 – 2130. This will be followed by the town's fireworks display.
3 July part 2:
We left the dance about 2200 last night. The drive home was uneventful except for random private fireworks displays along the route. Loki had last been outside ca. 1600. Because of the local fireworks, she refused to exit the house when I tried to take her outside. She is not a gun dog.
At 1030, it is already80 °F. It promises to be a hot day.
Also on Gloria's list of yesterday's accomplishments: Shouting/chanting “No Roe!” at the car used by our teavangelist Congressman's re-election committee during the Jonesborough parade. She apparently offended several local supporters. They accused her of not “knowing” the man. She informed them of his hypocrisy for failing to support increased hazardous duty pay and increased suicide prevention funding for live soldiers and veterans while proposing un-necessary laws about vandalizing federal grave markers. No one in that group of blind teavangelist followers bothers to read the Congressional vote histories despite their appearance in every Sunday's newspaper.
It was entirely legal and appropriate political protest, as well as to be expected behavior for Gloria. How like our teavangelist locals to object to political free speech by anyone not spouting teavangelist propaganda and misinformation. Just the same, I would have hated to have to find an attorney to argue that among the local crop. I'd expect a hard time finding representation and an exorbitant bail from the local machine.
Oh what can you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.
Is there hope for the future?
Cry the brown bells of Merthyr.
Who made the mine owner?
Say the black bells of Rhondda.
And who robbed the miner?
Cry the grim bells of Blaina.
They will plunder willy-nilly,
Cry the bells of Caerphilly.
They have fangs, they have teeth,
Say the loud bells of Neathe.
Even God is uneasy,
Say the moist bells of Swansea.
They will plunder willy-nilly,
Say the bells of Caerphilly.
Put the vandals in court,
Say the bells of Newport.
All would be well if, if, if,
Cry the green bells of Cardiff.
Why so worried, sisters, why?
Sang the silver bells of Wye.
And what will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.
Is there hope for the future?
Cry the brown bells of Merthyr.
Who made the mine owner?
Say the black bells of Rhondda.
And who robbed the miner?
Cry the grim bells of Blaina.
They will plunder willy-nilly,
Cry the bells of Caerphilly.
They have fangs, they have teeth,
Say the loud bells of Neathe.
Even God is uneasy,
Say the moist bells of Swansea.
They will plunder willy-nilly,
Say the bells of Caerphilly.
Put the vandals in court,
Say the bells of Newport.
All would be well if, if, if,
Cry the green bells of Cardiff.
Why so worried, sisters, why?
Sang the silver bells of Wye.
And what will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.
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