Jul 18
Video: Fragile, by Sting
This early video of Sting with his beautiful words feels appropriate, coming at this time of long black hearses bringing home our dead.
If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow’s rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stayPerhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime’s argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we areOn and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star, like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are, how fragile we areOn and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star, like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are, how fragile we are
How fragile we are, how fragile we are
July 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Thanks – always loved the music but it was nice to place it in a time and to an event! Makes it even more poignant !
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Very rarely, do I see the sense in putting myself, in a vulnerable position but I find myself in that uncomfortable position right now. I would truely like to feel free, to comment on Sting`s beautiful piece of music. But, I am plagued by the words ” bringing home our dead ” and ” event ” and ” poignant ” I live in Denmark, I do not read newspapers, I will not watch the news on the television. So because of this very conscious decision, I am aware, I have missed some form of catastrophe. My thoughts are with those that have lost loved ones
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Dear James, please send in your comments on Sting’s music. My words refer to a recent procession of a funeral cortege of eight hearses, each carrying the body of one of our soldiers back from Afghanistan. There is a small town near the military airport where the plane with its tragic contents land. There, they have started a tradition of standing in the main street to express their respect and thanks to these young men. Many young soldiers have arrived back home this way in the recent past. However, this last time was doubly poignant because there were eight of them, all killed within the same short period. Now when a drive-past is expected, hundreds and hundreds of people descend on this small town to pay their respects. I must apologise for forgetting that anyone living outside the UK probably wouldn’t have understood my words either! Now you know why I thought Sting’s words were so appropriate. And, because of your letter – others will also, so thank you. Persephone
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
Dear Persephone, after hearing and understanding the meaning behind your words and those of Helen Black, my comment concerning Sting and the song ” Fagile ” faded like the morning mist. I was left with one question. How is it possible for us as human beings, to express all the feelings that fall under the umbrella of love, and have them be used in the same context and even in the same sentence as war, honour and death? We cheer and wave flags as we send our young men off to war, and then cry as they return broken, injured,or worse, dead. We are without a doubt complicated creatures. Our fantasies far out weigh our logical thinking. Yet the worst thing is, we have done it for thousands of years and we still believe there is no other answer. While conflict resides within ourselves, it will manifest itself outwardly. It starts ” with the man in the mirror “. We cannot expect others to change, it is in our own hands.
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Dear James, thank you for your heartfelt letter. Of course you are absolutely correct in what you say. From my experience in conducting funeral ceremonies, as well as from the therapeutic world, I know the huge part music can play in the healing process. Composers from Purcell to Sting have touched the heart. It is impossible, as you say, to “express all the feelings that fall under the umbrella of love”. Music however, in its own unique way, manages that – even if only for a moment.
July 25th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Thank you for posting such a beautiful piece of music. I have listened to it each day for almost a week now and like so many inspiring songs, they just get better each time you hear them. I have such a catholic taste in music, that one forgets, and then is reminded, just how deeply a piece of music can emote one. Thank you for allowing me, to once again, take pleasure in Sting and his music.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I would like to add my thanks for this posting – just what I needed today.