Mary's asleep

[Rob]

I've read that Chris Thile didn't fully appreciate the significance of Burns's reference to Mary being asleep along the Afton Water, so he wrote the song in a major key, instead of a minor one, as he might have had he known what Mary was really doing stemming Afton's tide.

I, for one (the only one?), think his mistake is one of those pleasant things in life. Like a lot of folks, when I die, I want people to have nothing but fond memories of the time they spent with me, thoughts [o]f what has been, and [not] what can never be, to quote another brilliant poet.

When I listen to Sweet Afton, I picture (and thanks to Robert and Chris, hear) a man reliving his very fondest memories of his very fondest love, and not a mourner, pondering all the things that he'll never see. When I'm gone, I hope desparately that the song they write about me is in a major key. Thanks, Chris.

...Rob

[For what it's worth, if Mr. Thile is reading this, you are in great company. When Jesus told the apostles about Lazareth, they, too, missed Burns's poetic metaphor, and so Jesus had to be a little more... well... blunt:

11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.]

[mandoBob]

I'm there with you Rob. Very cool.
I'll take mine starting it out in a minor key (b/c grief and mourning is legit), and then stepping it up to major somehow :-)

[Taipan]

I agree with y'all there...sometimes the greatest things come when you do it different...mandoBob - unless I'm imagining this and/or halucinating, you mentioned you were taking a trip recently during which you hoped to learn the fox on the mando - any luck? I can't find any nc stuff on the net ('cept cuckoos nest) so I'm kinda looking for ideas [think har cheers

[mandoBob]

the trip was great but didnt get too much mando time in. caught enough fish to keep me happy tho. old england is great, but new england has a special place in my heart. especially vermont. took in a cool bluegrass band called Banjo Dan and the Midnite Plowboys. All Vermonters. Talked to one of the band memebers and told him to check out NC.
anyway we can sorta play the fox, but I'm not good at doing the mando part and singing at the same time. just needs practice. I can do a simple version of the mando solo. our fiddle player (who is a violin pro) got sara's solo down in about 20 minutes, which of course makes me very happy yet rather ill at the same time.
there's a site out there somewhere with the music for the fox and I've got the web address at home, so I'll let you know.

[NCFan4Ever]

Originally posted by Rob
I've read that Chris Thile didn't fully appreciate the significance of Burns's reference to Mary being asleep along the Afton Water, so he wrote the song in a major key, instead of a minor one, as he might have had he known what Mary was really doing stemming Afton's tide.


I don't understand it either (probably because I never thought about it.) Anyone care to explain the song and why it should be in a minor key vs. a major one?

[Rob]

Mary is not asleep; like Lazarus, she is dead. Many consider minor keys to be more sad, haunting, and mournful, and thus more appropriate for a dirge like Burns wrote. If you listen to the song in the major key in which Chris cast it, the song sounds just like a fellow watching his girlfriend sleep (literally). I think that's the way it should be, nonetheless, but he has expressed a hint of doubt over his choice (because at the time, he [like the Apostles] missed the metaphor).

[NCFan4Ever]

Thanks for the explanation! I love that song even if it's about a dead girl!

[mandoBob]

for anyone interested, this page has a ton of tab, including The Fox (and since it's a traditional tune, I'm assuming it's legit to spread it around?)
http://www.jaybuckey.com/FREE%20Music%20and%20Tab.htm

[creekster_anna]

Wow! What a cool discussion! I had not made the connection between what happened in the Bible and the song, but it's cool that you did, Rob. I agree that the song is just fine if not better written the way it is. :)

[Renee Pool]

Rob,
Thanks for your light! I knew the song was deep but did not know how deep. i can't wait to get in my car and play the song and enjoy my knew knoeledge![noise]

[red]

wow i totally didn't get that either. just thought it was a guy singing about his girlfriend, like you said, because of the way it was written. :D now i hafta go listen again! love that song, either way. thanks for the info!