shhh... do you hear THE SOUND OF SILENCE? w/ HEAVY graphics!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Sound of Silence
by Simon and Garfunkel

The union of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel actually predates their first mid-'60s hit by almost a decade. As childhood friends in Forest Hills, NY, they began making records in 1957, not only performing but also writing material in something of an Everly Brothers style. Calling themselves Tom & Jerry, their first single, "Hey Schoolgirl," actually made it into the Top 50's, but a series of follow-ups went nowhere. The duo split up, although Simon continued to struggle in the music business as a songwriter and performer.

By the early '60s, both Simon and Garfunkel came under the influence of some potent sounds coming out of California. After they re-teamed, pop roots of Simon expedited the synthesis into folk music. Signing with Columbia, they recorded an initially unsuccessful acoustic debut as Simon & Garfunkel in 1964, only to again separate. Simon, after moving to England to play the folk circuit, recorded an obscure solo album.

The Simon & Garfunkel story might have ended there, except for a brainstorm by producer, Tom Wilson (who also produced several early Bob Dylan albums.) Wilson took the strongest track from the duo's debut track, "Sounds of Silence," and embellished it with electric guitars, bass, and drums. It hit number one on the charts in early 1966, giving Simon and Garfunkel impetus to reunite. From 1966 to 1967, they topped the charts with some of the best folk-rock of the era, including "Homeward Bound," "I Am a Rock," and "A Hazy Shade of Winter."

LISTEN AS YOU READ ALONG WITH THIS CLEAN LINK TO THE MUSIC: TURN IT UP! http://www.aodultrac.com/files/Music/Simon%20&%20Garfun...

Hello darkness, my old friend,


Ive come to talk with you again,


Because a vision softly creeping,


Left its seeds while I was sleeping,


And the vision



that was planted in my brain



Still remains



Within the sound of silence.



In restless dreams I walked alone



Narrow streets of cobblestone,



neath the halo of
a street lamp,



I turned my collar to the cold and damp



When my eyes were stabbed



by the flash of a neon light



That split the night



And touched the sound of silence.



And in the naked light I saw



Ten thousand people, maybe more.



People talking without speaking,



People hearing without listening,



People writing songs
that voices never share



And no one dared



Disturb the sound of silence.



Fools said i,you do not know



Silence like a cancer grows.



Hear my words that I might teach you,



Take my arms that I might reach you.



But my words like silent raindrops fell,



And echoed
in the wells of silence



And the people bowed and prayed



To the neon God they made.




And the sign flashed out its warning,



In the words that it was forming.



And the signs said,



the words of the prophets


are written on the subway walls



And tenement halls.




And whispered in the sounds of silence.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Let me be the first to K&R this!

Excellent, JG!!!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

41. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! AN EARLY KICK/VOTE IS IMPORTANT

[liberal N proud]

2. Good job!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

89. thanks

[madokie]

3. I came of age listening to this song

more relevant today than ever.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

It works best when you click the CLEAN link first and read along

[Jacklyn75]

23. Wow!

I listened to this song as a child and it's always been one of my favorites. Its a powerful song on it's own but with these pictures, it's very, very moving! Thanks for this!

[me b zola]

66. I had that album on 8-track tape!

Outstanding piece of work, Jeffersons Ghost.

The two images that got to me the most were the woman weeping over/holding the dead girl, and the "well" of blood on the ground. I also love your use of Floyd imagery. Hell, the entire piece was outstanding.

[neilepi]

4. Very, very impressive.

Powerful images, powerful message.

The new, unique, 2007 Anti-Bush Calendar

[Jeffersons Ghost]

15. thanks

[Gman]

5. Cool

Very nice work to one of my favorite songs.

[Speed8098]

6. Powerful

Thank You

This is excellent. Maybe you should see if symbolman can make it into a flash presentation, or if you know how, you should.

To see it and hear the music at the same time would be even more powerful.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. you can DO that right here with a clean link

[Speed8098]

16. I know

I'm an idiot, I spotted your link AFTER I posted my reply. Sorry

[Jeffersons Ghost]

24. I'm actually VERY glad you mentioned it. LOTS of people were missing it...

I went back and clarified in the OP, thanks to you... Check the other posts, PLENTY of people missed it and that was my fault for not being clear, in the first place.

[madrchsod]

7. excellent

i know a lot of work went into your post and it certainly deserves to be recommended.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

12. yep... ALL night long... It's no biggy, I'm just doing what I can to save America...

For some odd reason, right toward the end ALL my graphics started reducing automatically when I put them in photobucket, which is why ALL the Peace slogans are small. It makes me realize that LOTS of small voices make a BIG differences when they come together.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. K & R

Extremely powerful graphics set to some of my favorite lyrics of all time. I was literally "struck silent" when I heard this for the first time all those years ago. What a duo they were--Paul's poetry & Art's voice. SG

[Jeffersons Ghost]

96. a duo od Genius in the Divine sense and timeless n/t

[soup]

10. This is one of those songs, so familiar

when I read the lyrics, I can 'hear' the music. Your illustrations are incredibly spot-on.

Beautifully done, JG. Highly recommended.

[Sydnie]

11. You did it just right

Perfect!!! Thank you.

[we can do it]

13. Just Beautiful Work

[acmejack]

14. Fabulous!

I had tears in my eyes within the first three frames. Very well done, JG.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

25. can you please keep it kicked up for a while... I'm beat after working on it all night...

Since the government is paying this old 'Nam vet a disability check, the least I can do is my little part to save democracy.

[acmejack]

26. You bet, Brother!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

107. thanks Jack you're a good friend and REAL trooper, here at DU

[Jensen]

17. Beautiful and it made my heart ache!

Bravo!

[shirlden]

18. How do we send this out

to friends and family not on DU ? It should really be shared. Very powerful statement about what we have become.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

19. just send them this link...

After they see what we're doing at DU, they'll likely join us in our attempt to preserve America.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[shirlden]

22. Thanks

And done......I hope this goes around the world.

[midnight]

20. All of us who appose this hell and write letters, sign petitions,

get arrested, and talk some more, should take great strength in knowing that you are doing the right thing. This beautifully documented post of pictures is the voice that will not be silenced. Bless you. Let's not forget all the heat Cindy has taken on this subject. At one point last summer she was called irrelevant. Cindy you are just a voice that they want to silence because you are just the opposite.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

21. exactly midnight n/t

[ClayZ]

27. Thank you!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

97. thank you for flying such a beautiful flag on your post.

[ladyVet]

28. Wow

Awesome work. Just awesome. It's amazing how 40-year-old words fit so well.

It made me cry. Thank you.

[GliderGuider]

30. Welcome!

So glad you're here.

[chat_noir]

29. Bravo!

You should make a video of this for posting on You Tube.

[kestrel91316]

94. He already did. It's awesome.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

104. chat_noir did it and the yourtube video she did is INDEED awsome...

here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78lHcrxGx94

[Aristus]

31. Oh. My. GOD!

[Generic Other]

32. Super job!!

This should be turned in to a flash video.

[Alamom]

33. JG, my husband and I thank you. We're in the over 50's group.

We were "teens" in the 60's and have always loved the words of this song.

It's like it was written for today's world, today's America and your choice of pictures are perfect.

We listened and scrolled 3 times. Thank you again.

[conscious evolution]

34. Any way you can do this

as a slide show?
This very powerful and should be seen by all.

[ThingsGottaChange]

35. This is very moving

One of those pieces that you think about for most of the day. Outstanding job!

[InvisibleTouch]

36. K&R. Amazing compilation. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

37. Outstanding and most powerful!

One of my favorite songs as well. Thank you for posting this Jeffersons Ghost.

Kicked and recommended

[NanceGreggs]

38. Speechless ...

Incredibly powerful. Kudos, JG.

K & R

[Mr_Spock]

39. Wow - beautiful pictoral

A picture does indeed speak a thousand words...

[understandinglife]

40. Exceptional. Thank you. Recommended.

Never Forget: George W. Bush willfully violated National Security to cover-up his willful launch of a war of aggression and illegal occupation of Iraq.

[mirandapriestly]

42. My Fifth grade teacher was fired

for telling us what that song meant and comparing it to the political scene at the time. I had forgotten about the song, and now I see how it is more relevant than ever

[Jeffersons Ghost]

43. read this! AS I WAS POSTING WORDS ON GANDHI AND A BUTTERFLY EFFECT....

chat_noir at DU was emailing me this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78lHcrxGx94

I'm openly sobbing, right now: How's that for Karma?

[spuddonna]

45. Well that did it...

I was tearing up reading it and now I'm crying...

Incredibly powerful, thank you so much...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

52. something VERY odd happened to my photobucket last night...

it now only downloads tiny images, like on the "Hear my words" peace sign part of the OP... I thought it was just too full so i just dumped a bunch of stuff... the problem persists

[midnight]

72. How odd. My computer runs slower than molasses.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

103. yes, I've had the same problem in the last 24 hours or so AND...

my machine is nearly NEW, with ALL the badwidth my cable company is willing to sell consumers. Read this OP, especially toward the bottom of the replys and tell me what you think on THAT OP, so others will see it please:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

105. hey midnight? I noticed you didn't comment on the other OP. why not?

I'd think with your concerns you'd want this problem publicized! maybe you'll get around to it later or maybe your machine got shut down... oh well

[photogirl12]

44. K&R

[wovenpaint]

46. And another K&R

very powerful and, one of my favorite songs as well...
This WOULD make a great slide presentation/video that should be seen by all.
Excellent job!

[lukasahero]

47. K&R

Let's keep this at the top. Powerful, touching, wrenching.

Nice work, JG.

[WillyT]

48. Wow !!! - K & R !!!

[nannah]

49. beautiful...... thank you

[BrklynLiberal]

50. Breathtakingly magnificent.

[Jeroen]

51. Art! Thank you so much

[MasonJar]

53. Wonderful pitures of the awful!

[civildisoBDence]

54. The words of the prophets...

That really brings it all back home to an old hippie...the little girl at the end especially.

We've progressed from the Big Muddy to the Big Sandy. Heckuva job, DUUUHbya.

I'd LOVE to see the same thing done with Dylan's "Hard Rain":

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains,
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways,
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests,
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans,
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it,
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin',
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin',
I saw a white ladder all covered with water,
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken,
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin',
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin',
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin',
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin',
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony,
I met a white man who walked a black dog,
I met a young woman whose body was burning,
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow,
I met one man who was wounded in love,
I met another man who was wounded with hatred,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin',
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest,
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden,
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten,
Where black is the color, where none is the number,
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it,
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin',
But I'll know my song well before I start singin',
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.



Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

[chat_noir]

55. civildisoBDence, turn on your PM availability

[Jeffersons Ghost]

98. wow, that's a hard-hitting song... it kinda speaks for itself...

do you have a link where I can hear the music?

[tpsbmam]

56. Beautiful. K&R nt

[Auggie]

57. Very, very, very, well done!

[Johnyawl]

58. Well done

The first two images alone brought me to tears.

[MARCUSCO]

59. It's amazing that a song done 40 years ago...

during one of the most turbulent times of the 60's, would mean just as much in this time of turmoil.

It's also sad to think that what we're going through today may turn out even worse if the folks in charge don't stop and think (before it's too late). I PRAY THAT WE AS A PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND COME TO OUR SENSES COME NOVEMBER 7.

[lyonn]

80. Welcome Marcusco

The song is truly timely again, how sad.

We had hoped we learned from our past.

[cynthia]

60. moving

When will this insanity end?

thank you

[brer cat]

61. Wow, Wow, Just WOW!!!

You are a true artist, Jefferson's Ghost. It's been playing all afternoon & evening at my house, as well as the hospital where my sister works.

If you have time, can you tell me about the pix for "I turned my collar to the cold and damp"?

Very powerful, and I'm glad it's on u-tube for greater exposure, although frankly I found it most expressive to me just to read the words and see your pix in silence.

[Hosnon]

62. I've seen that last pic several times now...I think it is becoming an icon of

this war...

It's a powerful image.

[nofurylike]

63. breathtaking. gratitude.... eom

[Gloria]

64. Chilling, just chilling. It's like reliving my youth all over again...in a

bad way!! What have the years accomplished?????

[likesmountains 52]

65. kick!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

67. jeremiah....as always...excellent! K&R

[Jcrowley]

68. A Time To Break Silence

By Rev. Martin Luther King

"I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today -- my own government."

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” 

"Some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak."

[liberalhistorian]

69. WOW!

I'm speechless, tearful, struck "silent." You must get this out into general web circulation, this is just incredible!

[AZBlue]

70. It bears repeating: WOW!

K&R

[Straight Shooter]

71. I have never before in my life uttered this phrase:

Holy Mary, Mother of God!

I can't get the chills to stop running up and down my spine, JG.

[midnight]

73. My daughter goes to a catholic school, and says this prayer

often, but she would love to change one part of that prayer that states: pray for our sinners now at the hour of our death, to Pray for our sinners now and at the hour of our death-Amen.

[QMPMom]

75. It's part of the Hail Mary. n/t

[Straight Shooter]

91. I'm Catholic. Sort of. Lapsed Catholic.

I have never uttered those words in astonishment. It's been a long time since I've said the Hail Mary prayer and forgot that phrase was in there.

Catholics can get ingrained not to indulge in the profane. Maybe that's why I've refrained from using it in exclamation.

I just think the OP's post is so powerful ...

[NMMNG]

74. Excellent work!

[goforit]

76. Absolutely profound , prophetic and chilling.

[goforit]

77. Hey.... Yah gotta youtube this with its music and images!!!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

83. do you mean youtube it like this?...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78lHcrxGx94

chat_noir of DU did that one from this OP... she does great work doesn't she?

[Lifelong Protester]

78. Oh man, you got me

it took a while for the music to cue up, so I scrolled first, and read some replies, but when the music did come on I went back to the top. I could not keep from crying, this is so powerful. Me too, I am one of the over 50 set, who went through the peace and women's rights marches, and a few AIM marches, and I just can't help wondering, are we never going to get it right?

Thanks SO MUCH for this message and all of your hard work on it.

[Change has come]

79. Such a beautiful song

Well Done

[earth mom]

81. I'm absolutely blown away...thank you...

[LeahD]

82. Gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking, and to quote Joan Baez,

"When will they ever learn?"

[Historic NY]

84. Wonderful and heartbreaking too................

the songs of our youth are now the songs of our seniority.

[Greylyn58]

85. Wonderful and Powerful

I was just listening to this song the other day while I was having lunch. It is still a very powerful song and the imagery it invokes is incredible.

[Nite Owl]

86. Amazing

I wish everyone could see this, we need to see this.

[Cetacea]

87. Outstanding. Emailing it out.

Thank you for your work!

[livvy]

88. Wow...this is absolutely fantastic.

Love the music choice, and the photos are perfect. Well done, and thank you.

[lonestarnot]

90. Beautiful job. Too late to recommend. Wish I had seen it sooner.

[goforit]

92. kick

[Panda1]

93. Beautifully done

Thank you.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

95. Hey, thank YOU Panda 1, I'd forgotten to put this one in my journal...

I've done several of these, even to these lyrics a while back, but I like this one the best.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

99. let me check the vote to views ratio with this one too...

[NoBushSpokenHere]

100. Powerful.......

I wish Republicans could feel pain like we do, there would be no war or hunger.

Will pass it along in the hopes it can reach others who will join us in throwing the assholes out of office.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

101. did you see today's song? it's right here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[shanine]

102. incredible moving thoughtful thankyou nt

[Sapphocrat]

106. You should turn this into a movie...

...and upload it to Youtube. You can probably get away with using the original song. Probably.

Well done!