Roots
Just popping back to share a thought or two with you.
* Warning - post contains thoughts of national pride. *
Bill from the The Parking Attendant's Blog had a link to a song by Show of Hands called Roots. Whether or not you like folk-style music, I would urge you to listen as the lyrics are very powerful and you'll be tapping your feet within about 30 seconds ;o)
It made me think of something that's been buzzing around my head for a while concerning stories. My English literature lessons at school were ok. We studied a fair variety of texts but always in line with the curriculum requirements and in the rather structured manner of 'education'. But sadly we didn't learn about stories. Those powerful timeless plots that are repeated again and again throughout history in infinite variety. The rich legacy of English, Irish, Celtic, Scottish, Welsh and Gaelic mythologies.
I know I am embarrassingly ignorant of our mythologies. I've had to take my education into my own hands. (Perhaps that gap in my education is why I love the fantasy genre so much?) As I'm now dabbling in the arcane arts of writing, I've tried to deconstruct and criticize some of my favourite authors. But I can't do it. I start examining their choice of vocabulary, their scene setting, the flow of dialogue ... but it doesn't last. By the end of the first chapter I'm enveloped by the story and I'm a lost cause. It's like dissecting a hummingbird and expecting to still find it beautiful.
It's very sad that we are losing the indigenous/ancient cultures of England. Ireland, Wales and Scotland seem to be more aware of their cultural heritage. But our traditional oral story tellers, musicians, artists are consigned to the margins whilst the majority of us are surrounded by plastic entertainment. It is fascinating to enjoy other cultures and I do believe we have been enriched by different cultures over the centuries but it should never be at the expense of our own identity.
Well I've got a vision of urban sprawl
It's pubs where no one ever sings at all
And everyone stares at a great big screen
Over-paid soccer stars, prancing teens
Australian soap, American rap
Estuary English, baseball caps
And we learn to be ashamed before we walk
Of the way we look and the way we talk
Without our stories or our songs
How will we know where we've come from
I've lost St George in the Union Jack
It's my flag too and I want it back *
Other countries are proud of their heritage, their culture, their songs and stories. That pride is not mutually exclusive with living in a culturally diverse and tolerant modern society.
England is beginning to resemble plastic cheese, chain pubs and manufactured pop bands ... boring, bland and predictable.
[* excerpt of 'Roots' lyrics copyright Show of Hands]
posted by Rhea at 2/15/2007 01:10:00 pm
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