Sunday, February 14, 2010

Take This Tune - lighthouses


Take This Tune

Jamie, I never tire of visiting and photographing lighthouses. I have lots of photographs of lighthouses up and down the Northeast coast, the Hudson River, and Long island.

Here are two (scanned) photos of a lighthouse taken back in 1991 of the lighthouse on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island.

What follows is A Lighthouse Tale



This music video, set in the 1850's, is a classic love story revolving around the often tragic life of the American lighthouse worker. The video is based on Nickel Creek's A Lighthouse Tale.

Lyrics:

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.

I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.

I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.
We had grown closer, 'till his joy meant everything to me.

And he was to marry, a girl who shone with beauty and light.
And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night.

[Chorus:]
And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.

She'd had to leave us, my keeper he prayed for a safe return.
But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned.

He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.
In me so helpless, as dashed against the rock she met her end.

[Chorus]

Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the SHORE.
He kissed her cold face, that they'd be together soon he'd swore.

I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.
And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.

[Chorus]

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
And though I am empty, I still warn the sailors on their way.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent my friend. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family :) Gung Hei Fat Choi

Stella said...

You are so fortunate you can photograph lighthouses. They always look so lonely just like your song. Here in the midwest I liketo take photos of old barns. Have a Happy Valentine's Day.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Did you ever hear of Celia Thaxter? She lived on the Isles of Shoals in New Hampshire. Her father was the light house keeper. When she got older she moved back there herself. Of course she could only stay there during the warmer months. She was an avid gardener and was often visited by the artist childe Hassam. She wrote a wonderful book called An Island Garden.
And, the lighthouse is still standing on the Island. You can see it from shore or you can take a boat out there. It's about 10 miles out.

MyMaracas said...

Beautiful lighthouses. There is something about them that invites a good yarn, isn't there.

Travis Cody said...

Lighthouses always seem so lonely to me, and that poem/song explains why.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

nothing says New England like a lighthouse.

♥ Kathy said...

Those are beautiful pictures Mary! You always seem to take the best! I had never heard the song before..I really enjoyed it!

Carletta said...

Lighthouses always remind me of a hymn I used to sing in church and at summer 4-H camp.
"Brightly beams our Father's mercy from his lighthouse ever more, but to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore."

Thank you so much for coming by and leaving birthday wishes for me yesterday. I was touched by your thoughtfulness. :)

Dianne said...

I love lighthouses too

pretty song

Durward Discussion said...

We are starting to get a theme for this week's Take This Tune ... A group of people who love the sea and could look at it forever in some way. Thank you for taking part.

Durward Discussion said...

For a more fun song about a Lighthouse Keeper, here's the tale of the Eddystone Light