Listening to the last song reminded me of another of Don MacLean's compositions, Waters of Babylon.
The lyrics are quite simple and essentially make a statement that sums up so much of Jewish identity.
By the waters, The waters, Of Babylon. We lay down and wept, And wept, For thee Zion. We remember, Thee remember, Thee remember, Thee Zion.
It's an interesting structure musically as well, perhaps much more so.
The first bar, especially, is reminiscent of much of Jewish folk music, evocative of the deep sorrow all Jews carry.
As the song progresses, the lyrics are overlayed, but clever production means we can be almost simultaneously aware of each statement. The entire piece is therefore emphasised.
When America can produce artists such as MacLean, Paul Simon and Orbison in a single generation, it is all the more surprising that a bimbo like Beyonce can be hired as a piece of meat to mime the American National Anthem.
But then what do I know?
