It takes a certain kind of genius to work a reference to Rodin's Belle Heaulmiere into a folk song about the travails of a western Canadian farmer's wife.
@Razhumykin I quite agree, Raz. Though in retrospect I tend to think that the Belle Heaulmiere was more likely what inspired him to write the song. Without prior knowledge of it's existance and it's meaning he would, of course, never thought to search for the referance.
Was cleaning up some old posts and came across this one. Ceb, thanks for your comment " I think I'm in love ". Heh, not sure if you meant me or Thomas Moore, but I know which I prefer, lol. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me spamming your site a little by posting Thomas' entire poem to his wife here. It just goes so much in line with Stan's song and some may not be familiar with it. I also think "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms" is the greatest poem/song ever for a wedding.
Thomas Moore's wife, Bessie had developed a terrible skin disease which had robbed her of her beauty. She was afraid that he would leave her. He never did. Instead he wrote this poem to her.
Some accounts say that she had confined herself to their home and would no longer venture out, but her husband's words gave her the courage to venture out into the world again. I give to you now a real man's idea of love. I only wish I had written these words.
" Believe me if all those endearing young charms which I gaze on so fondly today.
Were to fade by tomorrow and fleet in my eyes, like fairy gifts fading aways.
Thou would still be adored as this moment though art.
Let they lovliness fade as it will.
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart shall entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own and thy cheek unprofaned by a tear, that the fervor and faith of a soul can be known, to which time can...
Claudia, it is also one of the greatest poems for a young couple just starting out their lives together. What better promise could a young man make to his bride? If he is a real man, that promise will be kept.
I sang it for my husband at our wedding reception, and when he joined me for the second verse the crowd went wild - okay, not exactly wild, but there were some leaky eyes an lots of applause.
@bumerry I suspect that if your husband is the kind of man who knew the words to the song that he is also the type of man who will live by them. I wish you both a long and happy life together.
Thank you so much for posting this stirring and evocative song by one of Canada's greatest poets and musicians. It brings back poignant yet wonderful memories. We are SO fortunate to have had him as a citizen of our country!!!
Well, don't be too hard on her. Remember, it's the mans' duty to let his love know that he's with her, even after the the first blush begins to fade. To quote another poet,
"She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer, but 'twas not her beauty alone that won me. Oh, no, 'twas the truth in her eyes, ever shining, that made me love Mary, my rose of Tralee."
Glad to do it. This tune always takes me back to my "Summer of '42" year and the earthbound angel who made it the sweetest time of my life. God bless her.
Whoops! My comment regarding the designated lass was intended as a humorous slant on the literal lyrics. Sorry it missed the mark. Geez , gang, let's all lighten up here. Regards, Erstaz Jerry Seinfeld
Well said, theshadow1932. Also remember the words of Thomas Moore to his wife Bessie who had developed a terrible skin disease which robbed her of her beauty. " Believe me if all those endearing young charms, which I gaze on so fondly today, were to fade by tomorrow and fleet in my eyes like fairy gifts fading away. Thou would still be adored as this moment thou art, let they lovliness fade as it will. And around the dear ruin each beat of my heart shall entwine itself verdently still.
So beautiful, takes me into time to feel that bitter yet happiness and a past behind to cherish..
sweettswetz 7 months ago
Love the details in this song, drips carnation from the can and the true love of live long mate
bertadj99 8 months ago
stan is awesome benn to the stan rogers fest in canso n. s . where his mother was from poetic and blue collar at the same time
killa93kd 8 months ago
It takes a certain kind of genius to work a reference to Rodin's Belle Heaulmiere into a folk song about the travails of a western Canadian farmer's wife.
Razhumykin 9 months ago 2
@Razhumykin I quite agree, Raz. Though in retrospect I tend to think that the Belle Heaulmiere was more likely what inspired him to write the song. Without prior knowledge of it's existance and it's meaning he would, of course, never thought to search for the referance.
Rikki0 8 months ago
Such a wonderful voice and songs. I had only just "discovered" Stan before he boarded that aircraft.
So sad, why was he not one of those who got out?
Such a tragic waste of talent.
paulkearnsmusic 11 months ago
@paulkearnsmusic I heard that he did get out, but he went back in to help others get out. He died a hero. RIP Stan.
GrrrIamMad 10 months ago 2
Now that I'm a crone, when I look in the mirror I see my mother, Thanks for the memories.
LadyFullMoon71 1 year ago
Now that I'm a crone, and when I look in the mirror I see my mother, Thanks for the memories.
LadyFullMoon71 1 year ago
If not taken so untimely I believe Stan would have been as prolific as Gordon Lightfoot.
bubbaFarnsworth 1 year ago
wow this one ive not heard a great song from Stan thanks for this great post
cheerydavie 1 year ago
Was cleaning up some old posts and came across this one. Ceb, thanks for your comment " I think I'm in love ". Heh, not sure if you meant me or Thomas Moore, but I know which I prefer, lol. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me spamming your site a little by posting Thomas' entire poem to his wife here. It just goes so much in line with Stan's song and some may not be familiar with it. I also think "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms" is the greatest poem/song ever for a wedding.
Rikki0 2 years ago
Thomas Moore's wife, Bessie had developed a terrible skin disease which had robbed her of her beauty. She was afraid that he would leave her. He never did. Instead he wrote this poem to her.
Some accounts say that she had confined herself to their home and would no longer venture out, but her husband's words gave her the courage to venture out into the world again. I give to you now a real man's idea of love. I only wish I had written these words.
Rikki0 2 years ago
" Believe me if all those endearing young charms which I gaze on so fondly today.
Were to fade by tomorrow and fleet in my eyes, like fairy gifts fading aways.
Thou would still be adored as this moment though art.
Let they lovliness fade as it will.
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart shall entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own and thy cheek unprofaned by a tear, that the fervor and faith of a soul can be known, to which time can...
Rikki0 2 years ago
but make thee more dear.
For the heart that hath truly loved never forgets, but it truly loves on to the close.
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets, the same look that she gave when he rose.
Rikki0 2 years ago
Thank you Rikkio; one of my favorite poems...also one of the greatest poems for a couple in their old age. I appreciate the post. xxClaudia
ceb2633 2 years ago
Claudia, it is also one of the greatest poems for a young couple just starting out their lives together. What better promise could a young man make to his bride? If he is a real man, that promise will be kept.
Rikki0 2 years ago
@Rikki0
I sang it for my husband at our wedding reception, and when he joined me for the second verse the crowd went wild - okay, not exactly wild, but there were some leaky eyes an lots of applause.
bumerry 1 year ago
@bumerry I suspect that if your husband is the kind of man who knew the words to the song that he is also the type of man who will live by them. I wish you both a long and happy life together.
Rikki0 1 year ago
Another beautiful one by Stan.
PapaNoMidokoro 2 years ago 2
Thank you so much for posting this stirring and evocative song by one of Canada's greatest poets and musicians. It brings back poignant yet wonderful memories. We are SO fortunate to have had him as a citizen of our country!!!
HolyMotherofGrid 2 years ago 2
The major invocation of memories!
sffilk 2 years ago
So true, sffilk, it hurts. Thanks. C.
ceb2633 2 years ago
I'm sitting here at my computer, crying--my mirror tells those same lies....
Thank you, Stan. (And anyone who says a man can't understand how a woman feels, hasn't heard this song!)
Finsirith 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
Finsirith 2 years ago
One of Stan's greatest songs. Thanks so much for posting these. I am so pleased to see Stan's music being kept alive.
sjbaldwin11 2 years ago
You are very welcome, sjbaldwin. I plan to post more. I am confident his great songs and voice will always live. C.
ceb2633 2 years ago
Ah, I have seen the lies in the mirror -- that can't be me, it looks like my mother...and in my mind, I am still 20.
Blessings,
FullMoon
LadyFullMoon71 2 years ago
Great voice, great style. Too bad the designated lass was given to craven prevarications. Cordially, John
Blinkymyt 3 years ago
Well, don't be too hard on her. Remember, it's the mans' duty to let his love know that he's with her, even after the the first blush begins to fade. To quote another poet,
"She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer, but 'twas not her beauty alone that won me. Oh, no, 'twas the truth in her eyes, ever shining, that made me love Mary, my rose of Tralee."
Norm
theshadow1932 2 years ago
Lovely comment, shadow. Thank you for listening to this insightful Stan Rogers song. C.
ceb2633 2 years ago
Glad to do it. This tune always takes me back to my "Summer of '42" year and the earthbound angel who made it the sweetest time of my life. God bless her.
Norm
theshadow1932 2 years ago
Whoops! My comment regarding the designated lass was intended as a humorous slant on the literal lyrics. Sorry it missed the mark. Geez , gang, let's all lighten up here. Regards, Erstaz Jerry Seinfeld
Blinkymyt 2 years ago
Well said, theshadow1932. Also remember the words of Thomas Moore to his wife Bessie who had developed a terrible skin disease which robbed her of her beauty. " Believe me if all those endearing young charms, which I gaze on so fondly today, were to fade by tomorrow and fleet in my eyes like fairy gifts fading away. Thou would still be adored as this moment thou art, let they lovliness fade as it will. And around the dear ruin each beat of my heart shall entwine itself verdently still.
Rikki0 2 years ago
Wow, that happens to be another of my favorites, since I heard it as a yong child. I had no idea of its' origin. Thank you kindly.
Norm
theshadow1932 2 years ago 2
Rikkio, sorry to be so late reading your comment. I think I am in love...C.
ceb2633 2 years ago