Oh thank you. Odd thing - I was singing Mandalay myself just a few days ago - only in my bedroom you understand, not in public - people do stare so when you do. Did you know your Aunt Maureen has a lovely voice? Sang happy birthday over the 'phone - don't think I've ever heard her sing before but David says she sings all the time at home, great waste, people should sing if they can. Thanks again, much love, Pa. and Granny.
Thank you Pi, although you are obviously FAR too young to remember concert parties during the war (twirls moustache and twinkles). Warm regards Mike an Ann.
Hi Nea. You should read the whole poem, not just the three verses that's usually sung. It's about a British tommy who doesn't much like the fact that he's back in London after a spell of duty in the east and is having a thorough whinge about the matter. One of the later verses carries on (if memory serves) "Though I walks with fifty housemaids out of Chelsea to the Strand, and they talks a lot of loving but what do they understand ? Beefy face and grubby 'and, Lor' what do they understand ? I've a neater, sweeter maiden in a cleaner, greener land, on the road to Mandalay........." Pretty racist, what? And not much dignity or standing up for what he believes in there. If he'd stood up for what he wanted he'd have jumped ship and stayed with Supi-Yaw-Lat. It's the strangest example I know of a serious poem being set to music and then changing it's meaning and character completely as a result. Much love to all, Pa/Mike.
Ah ! Yes ! Sorry- had only partly made the more topical connexion. And thanks for the song. It's one I do enjoy. Got a record somewhere of Peter Dawson singing it. Just had a pretty good Long Melford. Feel I aught to be out finding more stock. Still got loads of work to be getting on with, so must get stuck into it. Much love, Pa.
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Oh thank you. Odd thing - I was singing Mandalay myself just a few days ago - only in my bedroom you understand, not in public - people do stare so when you do. Did you know your Aunt Maureen has a lovely voice? Sang happy birthday over the 'phone - don't think I've ever heard her sing before but David says she sings all the time at home, great waste, people should sing if they can. Thanks again, much love, Pa. and Granny.
Happy Birthday Nea's Pa. That's a fine song and reminds me of the concert parties during the war.
Thank you Pi, although you are obviously FAR too young to remember concert parties during the war (twirls moustache and twinkles). Warm regards Mike an Ann.
Tut, tut, twirling and twinkling. And here was I thinking of Burmese Buddhist monks and standing up with dignity for what you beleive in.
Hi Nea. You should read the whole poem, not just the three verses that's usually sung. It's about a British tommy who doesn't much like the fact that he's back in London after a spell of duty in the east and is having a thorough whinge about the matter. One of the later verses carries on (if memory serves) "Though I walks with fifty housemaids out of Chelsea to the Strand, and they talks a lot of loving but what do they understand ? Beefy face and grubby 'and, Lor' what do they understand ? I've a neater, sweeter maiden in a cleaner, greener land, on the road to Mandalay........." Pretty racist, what? And not much dignity or standing up for what he believes in there. If he'd stood up for what he wanted he'd have jumped ship and stayed with Supi-Yaw-Lat. It's the strangest example I know of a serious poem being set to music and then changing it's meaning and character completely as a result. Much love to all, Pa/Mike.
I didn't mean the song, that was for you, I meant the Burmese monks marching last week, which reminded me of the song, because it was in Rangoon.
Nea
Ah ! Yes ! Sorry- had only partly made the more topical connexion. And thanks for the song. It's one I do enjoy. Got a record somewhere of Peter Dawson singing it. Just had a pretty good Long Melford. Feel I aught to be out finding more stock. Still got loads of work to be getting on with, so must get stuck into it. Much love, Pa.
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