Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
I’m off back under me rock and as I look back I realise I’ve come in with me well’tons on an left a bit of a muddy trail behind me, I’ve been talking and thinking out loud rather than writing, I can’t put the twang on a word as a man might slope a note. Anyways, as I’ve no credit card or such I’ve had a friend leave a few bob, it’s worth more than my words. .
I hear so many say some version of “things ain’t what they used to be”, even within this site, people say it’s lost its way. Well, you might as well give up then, throw it all there and be done with it, would that satisfy you? Preserve it in a jar to gawp at and tut over. We’re leaves on a tree with deep deep roots and have seen off hard winters before, the past is for inspiration, the future though is in your hands, as I asked my father and my son asked me, “show’s that song, will ya.”
Dia is Mhuire Linn.
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
I couldn't agree more...
When speaking of a "Tradition" ('the transmission of customs from one generation to another...'), it needs to be alive. If you try to preserve it (which is something that you might do with last season's peaches), it is no longer a tradition.
If you think that Lunasa, Riverdance, and Dervish on Eurovision are muddying the tradition, then instead of complaining about it, do something about it. The first and foremost thing you can do is not let it affect you or your music. And part of the tradition is passing on what others have passed to you. You can pass on the music in a way that reflects what you envision to be the roots of the tradition.
I agree that a lot of the discussion on this site has grown negative, "thing's ain't what they used to be", or worse. But tension inside the tradition is part of the tradition itself. I'm sure people felt that Michael Coleman was polluting the music with American style, DeDannan was too 'Rock and Roll", and Chief O'Neill stifled creativity by attempting to write down tunes. It's all OK, it's all part of the roots of this wonderful tree that we've grown to be part of.
Rejoice in being part of the living, breathing tradition. Your branch of the tree is shaped by how you perceive it, and how you nurture it for future generations.
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Every couple of years there's a European Culture Festival held in a different country (on a rotating basis). For the last 10 years or so, I've been heading over with the Irish contingent. Last year it was held in Northern Italy (South Tirol).
There are groups from all over Europe that participate - they come dressed in their traditional lederhosen, petticoats and frocks, and perform their traditional music and dance.
The interesting thing is, it's a history lesson for them. They desperately rehearse their tunes with their sheet music up, in an effort to play something which is not natural to them. They're reviving a dead culture. The Irish group have the craic and play a storm - often with little or no rehearsal. Ours is a living culture. It runs in our veins and doesn't have to be "resurrected".
Don't be so afraid of change that you let our music become just a history lesson. I've seen the result of that and it's not pretty. Our music is living and breathing, and as long as we respect it, it'll be fine.
Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
I’m off back under me rock and as I look back I realise I’ve come in with me well’tons on an left a bit of a muddy trail behind me, I’ve been talking and thinking out loud rather than writing, I can’t put the twang on a word as a man might slope a note. Anyways, as I’ve no credit card or such I’ve had a friend leave a few bob, it’s worth more than my words. .
I hear so many say some version of “things ain’t what they used to be”, even within this site, people say it’s lost its way. Well, you might as well give up then, throw it all there and be done with it, would that satisfy you? Preserve it in a jar to gawp at and tut over. We’re leaves on a tree with deep deep roots and have seen off hard winters before, the past is for inspiration, the future though is in your hands, as I asked my father and my son asked me, “show’s that song, will ya.”
Dia is Mhuire Linn.
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by stevecomputer
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Sit down and have a nice cup of tea
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Steve, don't worry- a few muddy footprints never hurt anyone.
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by P-K
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
(They'll throw the carbon footprint police off your trail - for a while...)
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
I couldn't agree more...
When speaking of a "Tradition" ('the transmission of customs from one generation to another...'), it needs to be alive. If you try to preserve it (which is something that you might do with last season's peaches), it is no longer a tradition.
If you think that Lunasa, Riverdance, and Dervish on Eurovision are muddying the tradition, then instead of complaining about it, do something about it. The first and foremost thing you can do is not let it affect you or your music. And part of the tradition is passing on what others have passed to you. You can pass on the music in a way that reflects what you envision to be the roots of the tradition.
I agree that a lot of the discussion on this site has grown negative, "thing's ain't what they used to be", or worse. But tension inside the tradition is part of the tradition itself. I'm sure people felt that Michael Coleman was polluting the music with American style, DeDannan was too 'Rock and Roll", and Chief O'Neill stifled creativity by attempting to write down tunes. It's all OK, it's all part of the roots of this wonderful tree that we've grown to be part of.
Rejoice in being part of the living, breathing tradition. Your branch of the tree is shaped by how you perceive it, and how you nurture it for future generations.
Pete
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Pete, you hit the nail on the head there.
# Posted on July 26th 2007 by Backer
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Every couple of years there's a European Culture Festival held in a different country (on a rotating basis). For the last 10 years or so, I've been heading over with the Irish contingent. Last year it was held in Northern Italy (South Tirol).
There are groups from all over Europe that participate - they come dressed in their traditional lederhosen, petticoats and frocks, and perform their traditional music and dance.
The interesting thing is, it's a history lesson for them. They desperately rehearse their tunes with their sheet music up, in an effort to play something which is not natural to them. They're reviving a dead culture. The Irish group have the craic and play a storm - often with little or no rehearsal. Ours is a living culture. It runs in our veins and doesn't have to be "resurrected".
Don't be so afraid of change that you let our music become just a history lesson. I've seen the result of that and it's not pretty. Our music is living and breathing, and as long as we respect it, it'll be fine.
# Posted on July 27th 2007 by tradshark
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
Good stuff. A strong tree will tolerate a graft or too and not lose its identitiy.
# Posted on July 27th 2007 by P-K
Re: Why be scared of the future when it’s within our control?
of course, the truth is the future (of ITM as well as everything else) isn't under our control at all, is it? That's why it's so scary.
# Posted on July 29th 2007 by hakanozel