I love Beatles music. As with others of a certain age, some of us fall under the category of a product of the 60s – dedicated to the mantra love, peace and harmony. I recall some hippies preferred the other hippy mantra of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll while some fused both mantras. …
At first glance, you probably cannot imagine much connection between the Buddha and rock/pop singer, Rod Stewart. I have found one. Admittedly, it is a little tenuous.
The Buddha gave a classic discourse on The Simile of the Snake on grasping onto the teachings which end up causing harm and suffering, such use of the teachings for self-righteousness, putting down others and inflaming self-importance. …
A Dharma friend, Klaus in Germany, kindly wrote a comment to my blog on The Outsider by Albert Camus. He sent me a link to a song written by Warren Zevon (1947-2003), an American singer-songwriter, who died from cancer. …
I felt mentally tired on the train from London Paddington to Totnes after full-on teachings/travel in Germany for 18 days. Out of the daypack, I dug out my mobile phone, earphones and played around 10 rock songs listening to insightful lyrics, on Spotify. …
During the 1990s, I drove down to Cornwall, the neighbouring county, to listen to Joan Armatrading, the English singer, sing her signature song, Willow, at the end of her concert.
I played the record regularly at home – a soulful song with fine lyrics on offering another refuge in a storm.
I had a couple of reminders of the song this week including her guest appearance on television and a short conversation in Totnes with a person in their 20s whose name echoes the song. She did not know of the song. Willow is the name of Totnes’s first vegetarian restaurant started in the early 1980’s by Isabel L, our wonderful cook (from Germany) for our retreats in India in the mid-1970s.
Here is the link to Youtube. Joan sings Willow in Edmonton, Canada in 1999.The audience quietly sings at the end. She is singing in the zone. Beautiful.
Here are the lyrics. WILLOW
I may not be your best You know good ones don’t come by the score You’ve got something missing I’ll help you look you can be sure And if you want to be alone Or someone to share a laugh Whatever you want me to All you gotta do is ask
Thunder Don’t go under the sheets Lightning under a tree In the rain and snow I’ll be your fire side Come running to me When things get out of hand Running to me When it’s more than you can stand
I said I’m strong Straight Willing To be a Shelter In a storm Your willow Oh willow When the sun is out
A fight with your best girl Prettiest thing you ever saw You know I’ll listen Try to get a message to her And if it’s money you want Or trouble halved Whatever you want me to All you gotta do is ask
I said I’m strong Straight Willing To be a Shelter In a storm Your willow Oh willow When the sun is out
Shelter in a storm Your willow Oh willow When the sun is out
Thank you, Joan.
May all know a willow in their life who offers shelter in a storm.
May all beings remember to engage in the Dance of Life (Lila in Sanskrit)
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PS. We can listen to music, sing with the song or dance to music.
In case you are wondering. It is not Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson or Mick Jagger. It is not Fred Astaire (1899-1987) – regarded as probably America’s finest dancer of all time along with his dance partner, Ginger Rogers. Photo taken at a party in Brighton in a dance studio.