Oh Danny Boy Third Verse

Oh Danny Boy has been a favorite song of mine ever since my first date with my wife (before we were married).  I heard it performed by world renowned tenor (famous for performances with the Metropolitan Opera), Stanford Olsen, at President of the LDS Church (at the time) Gordon B. Hinckley's 90th birthday celebration.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/38069/An-Evening-of-Celebration.html

I remember listening to the beautiful music, reflecting on the lyrics of the song, and considering the emotions President Hinckley must have as he had not too long previously experienced the passing of his wife, Marjorie.  I was touched.  I have reflected on that moment and that date many times.

Just today, I opened a youtube video of a performance of the same song by BYU's Vocal Point.  It's an impressive a'cappella rendition of the song.  I was quite surprised to hear a THIRD verse to the song.  I have only ever heard TWO.

The third verse brought tears to my eyes--actually I wept--as I considered the loss my own parents have recently experienced at the passing of their son (my brother), Wade.  (Below is a link to his obituary)

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postregister/obituary.aspx?pid=167941274

Here is the third verse:

Oh danny boy the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lonely

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you’ve died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you’ll look down and gently you’ll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more.

I did a search, and didn't find this verse written anywhere, so I transcribed what I heard BYU's Vocal Point sing.  I believe this verse seems to contain 'the rest of the story' of that song.  And to my dear mother and father who I know still long for him to 'return and smile again' (as do we all, who knew him well), I hope you know you are still in my prayers daily--as I am sure you must be in Wade's as well, as he implores we live 'so we may see his smiling face once more'.

Here is the link to the BYU Vocal Point version:

http://youtu.be/YfRielL3Q94

Here are the complete lyrics to the song:

Oh Danny Boy

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling


From glen to glen, and down the mountain side


The summer's gone, and all the flow'rs are dying


'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow


Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow


'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow


Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so.

 ===========

And if you come, and all the flowers are dying


If I am dead, as dead I well may be


I pray you'll find the place where I am lying


And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me


And all my grave will warm and sweeter be


And then you'll kneel and whisper that you love me


And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

 ============

Oh danny boy the stream flows cool and slowly

And pipes still call and echo cross the glen

Your broken mother sighs and feels so lonely

For you have not returned to smile again

So if you’ve died and crossed the stream before us

We pray that angels met you on the shore

And you’ll look down and gently you’ll implore us

To live so we may see your smiling face once more.

Being 'thin skinned' as a form of criticism...

This is one of those 'deep thoughts' that goes through some logic on a topic I have thought some about, but haven't really said anything.  It may not be 'spot on' just yet, but I thought I'd get the conversation going, and see where it leads.

I actually typed this post first as a response to a comment on a post I had made about how a request (articulated as a requirement) that I fill out a survey bothered me because it seemed more coercive than I like.  However, due to the limitations of 'blogger' I couldn't post the whole comment in the comments section, so I've made it a new post here (and referred to it as a link).

http://blaineusa.blogspot.com/2009/03/note-to-sandra-rogers.html

The initial comment on the blog read as follows:

NR said...

I was google searching for Dr. Roger's contact info when I came across your blog. I am new to Utah and am amazed at what seems to be a Utah culture/habit behavior demonstrated in your blog, that of taking offence when none was intended. It seems to be sport here in Utah to read offence into everything. Maybe I feel this way because I have witnessed it several times in the past two weeks while observing interpersonal relationships among Utahns, each time being a different individual & in a variety of situations. Any idea why this is such a problem here? Maybe living at this high altitude gives people very thin skins. I've always lived at sea level so that could be why I have never seen this behavior in so many adults.

Here is the response I made.  Let me know what you think:

Hey NR--  Thanks for the comment.  Sorry it took me so long to get it "approved".  I wish I didn't have to do any moderating, but I've received some weird links posted here, so I moderate (once a year or so, apparently. :$) 

To answer your question, fist of all, I agree.  Choosing to be offended (especially where none is intended) can be cultural.  What causes it?  I think two things:  First, some (ill conceived) notions of self worth are validated by the practice of coming off as smarter (or better) than someone else.  The easiest way to do that is to express offense at others' methods or ideas.  It's 'easy' because it's hard to argue with someone's right to feel offended.  Taking offense is a choice, but it's a choice that has a critical edge.  It works because most criticism (no matter what the source) does, indeed, put the subject of the criticism, at least to some extent, on the defensive--even if it's only in the mind of the critic.  When someone is on the defensive, superiority is assumed (again, at least in the mind of the critic). 

The second reason it occurs (and the thing I think explains WHY I was personally inclined to make any kind of point about addressing my--probably false--interpretation of Dr. Roger's 'strong handed' phraseology) has to do with choice in contribution versus authoritarian requirements of the same.  It has been my observation that most people tend to respond better to requests than to directives.  The 'you're not the boss of me' syndrome is common when an individual who (through experience, study, or otherwise) has become sensitive to the effect of authoritarian directives, and wishes to guard against them.  I have perhaps personally developed such a sensitivity through the following: 

1.  As conclusions I have drawn through my study of the founding of the United States of America, and the principles of autonomy verses coercion I believe are part of a truly free society.

2.  As a matter of politeness in addressing individuals respectfully regardless of status, and in a way that does not assume one 'class' or another. 

But your biggest question seems to revolve around WHY this method of illogical self aggrandizement exists so prevalently in one area or another area (presumably because of cultural implications in that area)--in this case, specifically in Utah.  While I confess I am likely guilty of both causes of such behavior (probably more the second than the first--but does it really matter?), I beg to differ that such behavior is unique to Utah.  Have you heard the pride in the voice of an East-coaster boasting of the superior quality of education their children receive?  Per them, it's difficult to fathom that any of us West of the Mississippi have somehow learned to count.  Even the interpersonal conversations that judge others--even friends and family--as inferior because of personal behaviors are very strong.  The biggest difference I have seen in those realms versus here (and I've had plenty of opportunity to observe such behavior--from Beijing to Mumbai, Cairo, London, and the islands to all across the United States in roles that give me great access to interpersonal communications that ALL seem to include personal judgements)...  everywhere I go, there is a sense of PRIDE that requires human behavior show how one's individual choices and methods of life are somehow superior to other's.  It's the baffling conundrum that all 7.126 billion of us in the human population all think we individually 'have it right' when it comes to our personal paradigm on life. 

Whether it's "I'm offended by the way you addressed me" or "your children will grow up stupider, less fulfilled, and have nothing of value to offer society because of their inferior education", we all criticize one another.  What makes the 'taking offense' route so popular in Utah?  Well--I can't speak for the rest of the stereotype we're trying to impose here--but for me, it's because it's the easiest way for me to get others to consider another opinion WITHOUT trying to make it about superiority.  Being offended is MY choice; and it's not necessarily someone else's responsibility to conform to my expectations of proper behavior.  Even so, my hope is that perhaps my expression will get them to consider different behavior all the same. 

Hope this was helpful.  At least for me, it was a good opportunity to consider the question you raised.  Thanks again for your thoughts.

My Ebenezer

I teach a communications and critical thinking class as an adjunct faculty member at a university.  We had some deep thoughts in class tonight--some of which ultimately touch on principles of faith. After driving home from the class, I began reflecting on my own faith.  As I did so, the words to the hymn, COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING came to mind.  As I pulled in my garage, I found the song on my iPhone and played it in the car.

See lyrics here:  http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh400.sht

When it got to the part of raising an Ebenezer, I remembered reading once what an Ebenezer was, but I had forgotten.  So I did a quick google search and found a great blog here:

http://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20050408_here_i_raise_my_ebenezer.html#comment-7120

 It describes the history of King Samuel erecting a monument to "God's help"--an Ebenezer.  The stone became a public symbol of God's deliverance, grace, and mercy as well as a reminder to the people of their dependence on Him.

I felt inclined to comment on the post and the hymn.  Here's what I wrote on that blog:

"Sometimes when I seek repentance, I am vainly proud of myself for turning to God (I know--it's ironic to commit the sins of vanity and pride while in the very act of seeking His grace).  

"What an inspiring thought it is to remember that "HE sought ME when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God."  And yes--prone to wander? Oh I DO feel it!  Yet, It's HIS grace that is sufficient for me.  How blessed we are that He continues to leave the ninety and nine for us... for ME... the one, who by His grace, is worth saving.  

"Thanks for the post and the comment board, which I can use to raise MY Ebenezar!  So here I raise it:  a public reminder in this very comment that I have progressed as far as I have by His help; and IN His help is my hope to, "by [His] good pleasure, safely to arrive at home."  Again, thanks for sharing and the good work you do."