Ashley's Philosophy Corner

Things That Never Die

The pure, the bright, the beautiful, 

That stirred our hearts in youth, 

The impulses to wordless prayer, 
The dreams of love and truth; 
The longing after something's lost, 
The spirit's yearning cry. 
The striving after better hopes; 
These things can never die. 

The timid hand stretched forth to aid 
A brother in his need, 
A kindly word in grief's dark hour 
That proves a friend indeed ; 
The plea for mercy softly breathed, 
When justice threatens nigh. 
The sorrow of a contrite heart, 
These things shall never die. 

Let nothing pass for every hand 
Must find some work to do, 
Lose not a chance to waken love; 
Be firm and just and true. 
So shall a light that cannot fade 
Beam on thee from on high, 
And angel voices say to thee,
These things shall never die.

    This poem by Charles Dickens has brought me to tears many times now. We're singing the song of it in choir, and while I don't think it's adequate (if adequacy in this case is possible), it is very beautiful. It's so difficult to describe the poem, and how it makes you feel, and I think it's different according to your own depth and understanding. But as I've realized, the reason why I have yet to be able to put it into words, is because what this poem talks about....there are no words, at least in this world, that you can use to describe. I could only describe it with feelings, if it was possible to make another feel what I do. If nothing else, I have come to understand now, what he was referring to. The depth of these....no eloquent words to to say what....but, will never die, because their depth is so that it pertains to the spirit. Our own spirits, which lived before they received bodies when we came to this earth, and will go on to live throughout the eternities when we leave our bodies behind. Just as our spirits will never die, these things shall never die. They touch us to our very core, because they touch our spirits. These things -shall never die!

    These things shall never die.

Austin's Funnies Corner

Funny. All there is to it. :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

Speaking of singing in choirs, this is my sister's choir when they went on tour to New York City and sang in a cathedral. It's just so flawless and lovely! (Refraining not to prolong the continuance of the overuse problem I have of the word beautiful.:)

And...speaking of choirs that my sister's in -oh hey! Whaddya know? There's another video of them at that cathedral which is really beautiful, (I slipped :) and amazing and the accoustics are incredible, and...yes. Do feel free to watch now. :)

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

Well, this song is...classical....ish....but we're playing in my orchestra, and it is by far my FAVORITE orchestral piece. Well, along with Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers, Ravel's Pavane, and a few other songs... But, it's like everything you could ever want in a song, all rolled into one. The perfect adventure song! Incredibly awesomely cool! Enjoy!

http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10066401

P.S. Don't mind the weird highlighted thing. Contraptions. Am I right? :)