Running to the light…

(Photo credit to Frank Heumann, ‘Running to the Light,’ Run Rig.)

adventuresofalgy:

Algy sat on the rocks by the side of the loch and thought of Stephanie and her family. As the light streamed through the clouds onto the water, he sang this poem by Goethe for her, in its beautiful Lieder setting by Franz Schubert:

          Des Menschen Seele
          Gleicht dem Wasser:
          Vom Himmel kommt es,
          Zum Himmel steigt es,
          Und wieder nieder
          Zur Erde muß es,
          Ewig wechselnd.

          Man’s soul
          Is like water:
          From Heaven it comes,
          To Heaven it rises,
          And down again
          To Earth it must descend,
          Constantly fluctuating.

Listen to this lovely recording of Gesang der Geister über den Wassern by the Vienna Vocalists and the String Ensemble of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

[You can read the full text of the poem in German and English, but Algy feels that the English translation given there does not do full justice to the original, and nor does Algy’s own translation!]

Once again Algy you’ve touched my heart.  I love this photo and yes, that’s just exactly where I’d sit and where I’d like to sit when I come home some day.  These long hard days will pass, the sun will shine brighter through the clouds and then, one day, I will sit there and feel its warmth and enjoy the warmth of our friendship too.  Thank you Algy and most beloved friends - Goethe even inadequately translated, does say it so well. 

scotianostra:

The Pickled Piper

To hear the pipes would be fine but I’ll pass on that snow.  

A short, traditional Gaelic song  to start your day.

(Credit to Howie MacDonald, Cape Breton and to John. S. for finding it.)

If you want to feel good and be uplifted by the human spirit to overcome in ingenious ways, take a few minutes to watch this.

bbcamerica:

Doctor Who Original 1963 Theme / BBC Radiophonic Workshop

asmoron:

cosmicsyzygy:

Press play!

Still the best theme in regards to how it was made, how it’s one of the first pieces of electronic music ever, and how it’s (basically) the same theme still, 50 years later.

Incredible.

Aside from being a great tune, conveying the otherworldly and a soaring hopefulness, it does something else; it reminds us of the value of preservation.  In the world I live in, so much is torn down and destroyed to make way for the new.  New, is not always an improvement.  

adventuresofalgy:

On Burns Night, Algy gazed at Ben Nevis across the upper reaches of Loch Linnhe and thought of all those people in far away places whose hearts are in the Highlands but who are not able to be here.

Listen to this beautiful traditional version of Robert Burns’ song My Heart’s in the Highlands performed by Shona Donaldson and Katie Mackenzie.

For a bird with a frivolous hat and scarf, you’re a sensitive soul Algy.  Thank you.

 On Burns Night, and always, “My heart is in the highlands, my heart is not here.”  

(Robert Burns, Jan.25, 1759-July 21, 1796)

This is an ingenious twist on the well known, “Twist and Shout.”  Take just 2 minutes and 27 seconds to listen to it and I challenge you not to feel good!

(All credit to Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor, Orla Gartland and Lewis Watson)