Friday, December 4, 2009

"Ashokan farewell" My favorite violin piece.


This song inspires me, makes me cry sometimes but mostly makes me happy. I remember the first time I heard this song. I was playing drums at the Cass County Opry, a country music show in the Kansas City area, when the fiddle player takes off playing it. It was one of those moments when you realize that music comes straight from God.

I also remember another time when Kristi and I were walking down Broadway in Nashville. We passed a young lady playing fiddle for tips and just as we got in front of her, she starts playing "Ashokan Farewell". Of course it hit me like a ton of bricks because I hadn't heard it in so long. I tried to explain why that song was so special to me, but I couldn't find the words. I just tipped the lady, wiped away a few tears and kept walking. It was almost like she knew it was my favorite song.

Jay Ungar wrote this back in 1982 after the annual music retreat ended. It was also picked up and used in the PBS series on the civil war.

I found this video of a really talented kid playing the song. He really did it justice.

Enjoy and as always...keep the faith.

Phil

My favorite Songwriter Joel Shewmake

Quote of the year...

“Be not the judges of men, but love your brothers and sisters, and find ways to reach out to them in common goals and aspirations. Where there is love in common, the divisions of creed will melt away and reveal the true nature of man’s eternal destiny -- one of unity in purpose, to be perfect as the Father is perfect."

Author Brilliant but Unknown

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