Ray Livingston and his friends came to Montclair Sunday night. They sang love songs and songs from Broadway. We enjoyed the presentation as we sat around round tables drinking coffee, eating cookies and cheese balls!
We heard songs from Miss Saigon, the Phantom of the Opera and even the 80’s Ballet “Almost Paradise” sung as a duet with Lindsay Waiksnoris.
One of the songs that Ray sang on his own was "Vincent". Which is a song about Vincent Van Gogh and it describes in a very poetic manner the works of Vincent and the tragedy of his death. I have always loved this song. I was 9 years old when my Grandmother did a program in Home League on famous artist. I remember very vividly the story of Vincent as she told it. I remember being moved deeply by it and intrigued. When I look at his paintings I always think that I would have understood him. I remember thinking that at the age of nine.
I found this quote on line that is said to have been written by him:
We heard songs from Miss Saigon, the Phantom of the Opera and even the 80’s Ballet “Almost Paradise” sung as a duet with Lindsay Waiksnoris.
One of the songs that Ray sang on his own was "Vincent". Which is a song about Vincent Van Gogh and it describes in a very poetic manner the works of Vincent and the tragedy of his death. I have always loved this song. I was 9 years old when my Grandmother did a program in Home League on famous artist. I remember very vividly the story of Vincent as she told it. I remember being moved deeply by it and intrigued. When I look at his paintings I always think that I would have understood him. I remember thinking that at the age of nine.
I found this quote on line that is said to have been written by him:
"I want to get to the point where people say of my work that man feels deeply."
After the evening program at Montclair, I spoke to Ray about the song and he told me if I could write a sermon that included this song he would come and sing it for me! That sounded great to me and I left wondering if it was possible…
I’ll let you know.
In the mean time here are the lyrics to “Vincent” and his painting "Starry Night".
After the evening program at Montclair, I spoke to Ray about the song and he told me if I could write a sermon that included this song he would come and sing it for me! That sounded great to me and I left wondering if it was possible…
I’ll let you know.
In the mean time here are the lyrics to “Vincent” and his painting "Starry Night".
VINCENT
Don McLean
Starry starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chills
in colors on the snowy linen land.
And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen they did not know how
perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry starry night
flaming flow'rs that brightly blaze
swirling clouds in violet haze
reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you
but still your love was true and when no hope was left in sight
on that starry starry night.
You took your life as lovers often do;
But I could have told you Vincent
this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.
Starry starry night portraits hung in empty halls
frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the stranger that you've met
the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorn of bloody rose
lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
And now I think I know
what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen they're not list'ning still
perhaps they never will.
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