Just can't get Paul Simon's "American Tune" out of my mind today

[rurallib]

with all the crap that is going on. So, may I share?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE3kKUEY5WU&feature=related

Many's, the time I'v been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
But I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away Irom home

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees
But it's all right, it's all right
We've lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the road
we're traveling on
I wonder what went wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what went wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
And I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
and sing an American tune
But it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest

[Bluebear]

1. Just one of the finest tunes ever.

[regnaD kciN]

5. And, of course, NOT written by Paul Simon..

...nor particularly "American."

The melody in question is a slightly-modified version of a 16th century Church chorale composed by Hans Leo Hassler in Germany. It is most famous from its repetition at several key junctures in Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," and is thus widely known in the classical world as the "Passion Chorale" (in the U.S., it normally appears in hymnals as "O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded").

The only part of the song actually composed by Simon was the middle-eight.

[Bluebear]

6. Indeed, although it's more of a coda and more than eight bars

After the "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" part, there are at least 10 bars that I count that finish the verse, and I believe one of them is a bar of 2/4.

[randr]

2. Same here

Heard James Taylors new version today--WOW!

[redwitch]

3. Absolutely perfect song.

Thanks for posting this, haven't listened to this in ages.

[zeemike]

4. It sometimes seems many old tunes are prophetical.

Unconscious as it were.
I think there is something about music that does that to people.

[JHW505]

7. Love that song

Hi DU

This is my first post. I wish I would have found you years ago. Better late than never!

[rurallib]

8. Welcome! Make yourself at home!

What time should we be over to watch the debate?

[JHW505]

9. Debate

I would love to have you over, but I am in Ohio this week. Trying to get some vol hours in for Obama in the evenings while I am here. People are so excited, McSame is toast here.

[rurallib]

10. you don't have to be home. Leave the key under the mat

We'll clean up after ourselves.
Thanks for volunteering. I know when I go to bed on Nov. 4th I want to say I did all I could.

[Cetacea]

11. If there is a "perfect song" Simon wrote it with that one

Musically and lyrically superb. I can't think of any words to do it justice...