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Poetry (General/Chat)

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  • "Dialogue" by Henry Livingston to Richard Sheridan's "Had I a Heart"

    12/30/2018 2:33:02 PM PST · by mairdie · 2 replies
    An amusing little poem about Henry's children begging their mother to cut her double-curded cheese, as their mother explains that it's only August and they need to wait till October. Read by Byron Nilsson to "Had I a Heart" by Richard Sheridan, a light opera that appears frequently in Henry's Music Manuscript Book.
  • "The Crane and Fox" by Henry Livingston (1827)

    12/29/2018 9:55:03 AM PST · by mairdie · 5 replies
    Henry Livingston's poetic version of the old Aesop fable of the crane and the fox, read by Byron Nilsson and put to "Over the Water to Charlie" from Henry's Music Manuscript Book.
  • "Invitation to a Ball" by Clement Moore. And they think the mind that wrote THIS wrote NBC?

    12/27/2018 5:36:18 PM PST · by mairdie · 44 replies
    YouTube ^ | 1844 | Clement Moore
    My personal opinion is that Moore's claim to "Night Before Christmas" would have been questioned years ago if people had read the pompous, moralistic poetry written by this prig. But his poetry is so bad that it's just not accessible, other than on my website. So allow me to offer you a narration of Moore's "apology" for refusing an invitation to a ball. Actually, it's no apology at all. It's a preening bit of virtue signalling at how morally righteous he is to avoid these low occasions of sin. How ANYONE could believe that someone of that mindset could have...
  • "Midas" Poem by Henry Livingston, Jr. (1827) to Royal Wedding

    12/26/2018 2:45:07 PM PST · by mairdie · 18 replies
    YouTube ^ | 1827 | Henry Livingston
    Henry Livingston's version of the Greek mythology fable about Midas, a poem written the year before Henry's death, when Henry was 78 years old. The neat handwriting was because it was written in his daughter Jane's Poetry Manuscript Book. Music is "Royal Wedding" from Henry's Music Manuscript Book. One of my favorite poems.
  • "An Invitation to the Country" – By Henry Livingston (1787) - vintage postcard illustrations.

    12/07/2018 10:19:31 AM PST · by mairdie · 1 replies
    This love poem of the simple life was published in the 19 Jan 1786 issue of the Poughkeepsie Journal. The music, "I Love Sue" and "Dawn of Hope" is from Henry's music manuscript. Another small poem to one of the young ladies in Henry's circle is this "Acrostic to Miss Eliza Hughes," to the music "General Wolfe."
  • "Past is the Hour" - By Henry Livingston (1794) - Ah Sure

    12/06/2018 7:08:54 AM PST · by mairdie · 3 replies
    "Past is the Hour," a poem of a jilted lover, was published by Henry Livingston, the author of "Night Before Christmas" in the 6 Aug 1794 issue of the New York Weekly Museum under the pseudonym "R." The music "Ah, Sure" is from Henry's music manuscript. The poem is read by Byron Nilsson, who played Henry in "The Trial Before Christmas." Vintage postcard illustrations. Byron has also narrated a letter from Henry to his grandson, Sidney Breese, later US Senator from Illinois and Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Wav file only, for now. Henry's letters were saved in...
  • Going Down in Historeeee...

    12/01/2018 7:10:02 AM PST · by Twotone · 14 replies
    Steyn On-line ^ | December 1, 2018 | Mark Steyn
    First they came for "Baby, It's Cold Outside", and I did nothing because I was too busy watching her put some records on while I pour. Then they came for "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Following my appearance with Tucker on Thursday, mein host spoke to Dave Rubin about the usual tosspots taking umbrage over "Rudolph" because it's "seriously problematic". As Dave said, it's easier to destroy than to create. But the quivering pearl-clutching cries of "Seriously problematic!" suggest even destruction requires a creativity of which our moribund age is increasingly incapable. My general line on "Rudolph" comes from a Life...
  • "Joanna" - By Henry Livingston (1787) - "Come Haste to the Wedding"

    11/30/2018 9:42:07 AM PST · by mairdie · 3 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "Joanna" - By Henry Livingston (1787) - "Come Haste to the Wedding" - a poem on Henry's sister's 33rd birthday. Poem and music from Henry's manuscripts. I always liked this one. There's a gentle love with which he envelops his whole family.
  • Voting Day - A poem

    11/28/2018 5:08:06 AM PST · by vannrox
    eatgrewldog ^ | November 28, 2018 | unattributed
    Voting day Posted on November 28, 2018 Raven Standing on a Gallows with a Swinging Noose on a ... You have lied and betrayed To get your way You sit in power And still get paid But there are footsteps Marching Beat by beat This time On a different street And they are coming Coming for you To cast their vote Around your throat
  • "A Rebus on the Name of Nancy Crooke" by Henry Livingston, 1786, music is "Fair Hebe."

    11/27/2018 1:49:54 PM PST · by mairdie · 1 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "A Rebus on the Name of Nancy Crooke" was written by Henry Livingston, Jr, author of "Night Before Christmas," and appears in his poetry manuscript book dated 1786. A rebus is a puzzle, a set of questions whose first initials spell out the solution. The form is one Henry frequently created for the young people around him. "Fair Hebe," appears in Henry's music manuscript. Illustrated with vintage postcards.
  • "Marriage Tax" - By Henry Livingston - To "When Sable Night" - one of my favorite funny poems

    11/26/2018 12:33:18 PM PST · by mairdie · 5 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "Marriage Tax" was published by Henry Livingston, Jr, author of "Night Before Christmas" in the Poughkeepsie Country Journal of April 4, 1787 under the pseudonym "R". One of the funniest of his many funny works. Music is from The Duenna by Richard Sheridan, and appears in Henry's music manuscript. Illustrated with vintage postcards.
  • "Song to the Tune of German Spa" By Henry Livingston - 1791 - To Cotillion Song

    11/25/2018 1:51:55 PM PST · by mairdie · 2 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "German Spa" was published by Henry Livingston, Jr, author of "Night Before Christmas," in the Poughkeepsie Country Journal in 1789 and in the New York Magazine of March, 1791 under the pseudonym "R". Unfortunately, only half of his music manuscript has been transcribed, and "German Spaw" appears in the latter part, so this poem has been set to "Cotillion Song." The poem is read by Byron Nilsson, who played Henry in "The Trial Before Christmas." Vintage postcard illustrations.
  • An IMPORTANT reminder (unless you're a lib)

    11/25/2018 10:00:43 AM PST · by Baynative · 1 replies
    youtube ^ | 11/21/18 | Baxter Black
    I normally like to post this 2 minute video from poet Baxter Black on Thanksgiving in an effort to avoid spoiling my mood with political talk. But, I forgot to do it this year.
  • "Spadille" (1786) by Henry Livingston, to "How Much Superior Beauty Awes"

    11/24/2018 1:08:23 PM PST · by mairdie · 2 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "Spadille" (1786) by Henry Livingston, Jr, author of "Night Before Christmas," to "How Much Superior Beauty Awes," from Henry's music manuscript. Read by Byron Nilsson, who played Henry in the "Trial Before Christmas." Vintage postcard illustrations. Spadille was a lap dog.
  • "A Valentine" (1786) by Henry Livingston, to "Birks of Envermay" from the 1806 Duenna

    11/23/2018 12:44:55 PM PST · by mairdie · 7 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "A Valentine" (1786), a poem by Henry Livingston, Jr., the author of "Night Before Christmas." Music from an 1806 score of "Birks of Envermay" from "The Duena," a song appearing in Henry Livingston's Music Manuscript. Illustrated by vintage postcards.
  • "The Acknowledgment" (1787) by Henry Livingston, to "Lovely Nancy" from Henry's music manuscript

    11/22/2018 10:06:17 AM PST · by mairdie · 7 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "The Acknowledgment" (1787), a humorous poem by Henry Livingston, Jr., the author of "Night Before Christmas." The humor is probably why it's one of my favorites. To "Lovely Nancy," from Henry Livingston's Music Manuscript. Illustrated by vintage postcards. Henry's poems are read by Byron Nilsson, who played Henry at the "Trial Before Christmas." The most Happy Thanksgiving to all.
  • "To Miss" (1789) by Henry Livingston, to "A Song" from the 1806 Duenna by Richard Sheridan.

    11/21/2018 12:23:14 PM PST · by mairdie · 5 replies
    YouTube ^ | Henry Livingston
    "To Miss" (1789), a poem by Henry Livingston, Jr., the author of "Night Before Christmas." Music from an 1806 score of "A Song" from "The Duena," a song appearing in Henry Livingston's Music Manuscript. Illustrated by vintage postcards. Henry's poems are read by Byron Nilsson, who played Henry at the "Trial Before Christmas." All Henry Livingston YouTube videos
  • "Careless Philosopher" by Henry Livingston, with "Hither Dear Husband" from "The Beggar's Opera."

    11/20/2018 10:17:15 AM PST · by mairdie · 7 replies
    YouTube ^ | 1787 | Henry Livingston
    "Careless Philosopher" (1787), a poem by Henry Livingston, Jr., the author of "Night Before Christmas." Music from Henry Livingston’s Music Manuscript – "Hither Dear Husband" from "The Beggar's Opera." People always ask why Henry didn't announce himself as the author when the poem was anonymously published. I always thought of this poem as Henry's answer. This is the first of a set of Henry's poetry, read by the actor who played Henry in the "Trial Before Christmas."
  • L.A. Woman (Doors)

    11/18/2018 9:27:33 AM PST · by Mariner · 63 replies
    YouTube ^ | April 19th, 1971 | Jim Morrison
    Jim Morrison's homage to Los Angels. It used to be a great place. I figured appropriate in light of the devastating fires. Barely 3 months after release Jim Morrison was dead. And that was "The End" of one of the truly great bands of the 60's.
  • Here There Be Tygers (full text) by Ray Bradbury

    10/04/2018 5:37:07 PM PDT · by vannrox · 10 replies
    metallicman ^ | July 2018 | editorial staff
    Here is the full text of the masterpiece. I will let the reader read it and enjoy it. Here There Be Tygers by Ray Bradbury "You have to beat a planet at its own game," said Chatterton." Get in and rip it up, kill its snakes, poison its animals, dam its rivers, sow its fields, depollinate its air, mine it, nail it down, hack away at it, and get the blazes out from under when you have what you want. Otherwise, a planet will fix you good. You can't trust planets. They're bound to be different, bound to be bad,...