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The Monday Poem (old)
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In Paris with you by James Fenton (14th October 2013)
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Mod
Never heard of the author, interesting his way of overturning the usual behaviour in Paris, the "city of Love"!!!!
It was Shirley who introduced me to Seamus Heaney with the Mid Term Break. And now she has introduced Fenton and that too with an interesting poem.Thanks Shirley......
Dhanaraj wrote: "It was Shirley who introduced me to Seamus Heaney with the Mid Term Break. And now she has introduced Fenton and that too with an interesting poem.Thanks Shirley......"
Well, you nearly had a Tony Harrison poem but my husband took the book to work - so I will post that next time!!
Will have to check him (Tony Harrison) out too.....
This would make a brilliant chanson! I almost started singing when reading it. Someone like this beautiful italien singer with the hoarse voice, Laura do you know who I mean (there must be a million of them of course *chuckle*)?!Really enjoyed reading this Shirley, thank you!
awesome poem. Thanks for sharing it with us, Shirley! ^_^
I like this, but I did find myself wanting to sing along to an unknown tune!
Mod
You mean Pavarotti????
I'm curious to know what kind of song you all think this should be sung to!!To me, this is beautiful in its simplicity. It is rather sweet - the poet is refusing to say the word love, and substituting the word Paris, which isn't obvious in the first few verses, but abundantly clear in the last verse. Its simplicity means it is accessible to all and fun to read. Sometimes that's nice.
LauraT wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "Is it Pavoretti?.........."You mean Pavarotti????"
Yes. That is the singer I meant.....
Shirley wrote: "I'm curious to know what kind of song you all think this should be sung to!!To me, this is beautiful in its simplicity. It is rather sweet - the poet is refusing to say the word love, and substit..."
Completely agreed. That is what stuck me too when I read it the first time. And I liked it........
Mod
You mean Pavarotti????"
Yes. That is the singer I meant....."
AARGGG Dhanaraj! In Italy not to know the EXACT name of Pavarotti is "Lesa maestà" (attempting to His Majesty)!!!!
He was a sort of a national hero - but don't worry, I've never liked him so much!!!!
Pavarotti??? LOL, not really the hoarse voice I had in mind (the maestro is rolling around in his grave listening to our conversation!) I can't think of the name, but it would be a very nice chanson, that is for sure. Since I can't think of the Italien singer I am thinking of I will go for the master of Chanson: Jaques Brel.I agree with you Shirley, there's real beauty in the simplicity/unpretentiousness of this poem, which is again why it reminded me of a song I guess.
Nice selection, Shirley! I like the rhythm (which I would guess is why folks are saying that it would make a good chanson). I am with Dhanaraj in saying that this is the second poet you have introduced me to :)
Mod
Could Be Fabrizio De Andrè? He translated a lot of Brel's and Brassens' songs!!! Il gorilla is one of them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFQGBa...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYWyQn...
Don't talk to me of love. I've had an earful
And I get tearful when I've downed a drink or two.
I'm one of your talking wounded.
I'm a hostage. I'm maroonded.
But I'm in Paris with you.
Yes I'm angry at the way I've been bamboozled
And resentful at the mess I've been through.
I admit I'm on the rebound
And I don't care where are we bound.
I'm in Paris with you.
Do you mind if we do not go to the Louvre
If we say sod off to sodding Notre Dame,
If we skip the Champs Elysées
And remain here in this sleazy
Old hotel room
Doing this and that
To what and whom
Learning who you are,
Learning what I am.
Don't talk to me of love. Let's talk of Paris,
The little bit of Paris in our view.
There's that crack across the ceiling
And the hotel walls are peeling
And I'm in Paris with you.
Don't talk to me of love. Let's talk of Paris.
I'm in Paris with the slightest thing you do.
I'm in Paris with your eyes, your mouth,
I'm in Paris with... all points south.
Am I embarrassing you?
I'm in Paris with you.
James Fenton