Not much makes me cry these days, but if you want to see me struggle to get to the end of a sentence, ask me to explain the plot of Androcles and the Lion
or, on a less elevated plane, 'Two Little Boys', which is essentially the same story.
Various songs have moved me to tears on one occasion or another, but there is only one which is guaranteed to have me blubbing every time. And it's not a tale of thwarted love, or tragic death.
It's about a bloody pigeon.
It's about hope and faith, lost and restored.
I have versions by June Tabor, The Unthanks (with the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band), and Lucy Ward. While Tabor's is the classic, and Ward is actually from Derby, and they're both raw, sparse, unaccompanied versions, I think I actually like the Unthanks' version the best - the brass band accompaniment really works to make it even more poignant.
Now it's made me cry, thanks :-)
ReplyDelete(I chose The Unthanks, whom I know of solely from The Detectorists).
The June Tabor has beautifully clear words.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing guaranteed to get dust in my eyes is the re-entry scene in the film "Apollo 13" Make of that what you will.
ReplyDeleteHello Moomin!
DeleteHello Sarah!
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