"Thousands are Sailing" - The Pogues
The island it is silent now
But the ghosts still haunt the waves
And the torch lights up a famished man
Who fortune could not save
Did you work upon the railroad
Did you rid the streets of crime
Were your dollars from the white house
Were they from the five and dime
Did the old songs taunt or cheer you
And did they still make you cry
Did you count the months and years
Or did your teardrops quickly dry
A tremendous song, written by Phillip Chevron, the band's guitarist -- who now sings it as well when they perform live.
And speaking of things Irish, I highly recommend the movie, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, an extraordinary film by director Ken Loach, about the struggle for Irish independence during the period 1919-21 and the subsequent Irish Civil War. It's as good a historical and political film as I've ever seen and deals incredibly well with issues like the brutality of foreign occupation, the humiliation of colonialism, and the problems associated with political violence as a means of redressing the former. This makes the film sound more didactic then it is -- it's real strength is presenting these issues on a micro level in a personal and organic fashion.
I have had the good fortune to have an arbitration scheduled for today settle, it's sunny and in the mid-60s, and I've got an invite from a bunch of investment guys to attend an NCAA basketball shindig this afternoon. So I think light posting and heavy drinking will be the order of the day. (My attitude towards accepting favors from investment folks would be summed up by this Sam Rayburn quote.)
How are you all doing?
