The music "Spiritual" inspired Annie Proulx when writing the dozy embrace.

[adrian]

"The most difficult scene was the paragraph where, on the mountain, Ennis holds Jack and rocks back and forth, humming, the moment mixed with childhood loss and his refusal to admit he was holding a man.  This paragraph took forever to get right, and I played Charlie Hayden's and Pat Methany's 'Spiritual', from their album 'Beyod the Missouri Sky(Short Stories)' uncountable times, trying to get the words.  I was trying to write the inchoate feelings of Jack and Ennis, the sad impossibility of their liason, which for me was expressed in that music.  To this day, I cannot hear that track without Jack and Ennis appearing before me." -Annie Proulx

I loved this music upon first hearing it.  It has a somewhat, melancholy mood with a definate western feel.  It is sad and beautiful and unforgettable.

[OverTheRainbow]

Wow, that's interesting! Thanks for sharing that!

[Ellemeno]

Hi Adrian, yes, I downloaded it from iTunes when I read about it, and added it to my enhanced BBM soundtrack playlist I've made.  It's a very beautiful piece of music.  I wonder if anyone has told Charlie Haden?

Here is a youtube video of a slowed-down Dozy Embrace set to the tune.  Enjoy:

[adrian]

Hi Adrian, yes, I downloaded it from iTunes when I read about it, and added it to my enhanced BBM soundtrack playlist I've made.  It's a very beautiful piece of music.  I wonder if anyone has told Charlie Haden?

Here is a youtube video of a slowed-down Dozy Embrace set to the tune.  Enjoy:

Thanks Clarissa.   Now try listening to the music, at dusk, while reading that scene from the book!  That is the feeling that Annie Proulx was experiencing while writing that scene.  There are lyrics too.  Apparently, I read, that 'Spiritual' was written by Charlie's son.  Not sure though.

[stevenedel]

Music and words of Spiritual were originally written by Charly Haden's son Josh. The text goes:

Jesus, I don't want to die alone
Jesus, oh Jesus, I don't want to die alone
My love wasn't true
Now all I have is you
Jesus, oh Jesus, I don't want to die alone.

Jesus, if you hear my last breath
Don't leave me here
Left to die a lonely death
I know I have sinned
But Lord, I'm suffering
Jesus, oh Jesus, if you hear my last breath.

All my troubles
all my pain
will leave me
once again
once again.

Of course, Proulx refers to the textless Haden/Metheny version, from their album "Beyond the Missouri Sky" (which I came across in a local store and bough on impulse because I love the title, and it has a gorgeous inside cover photograph of a big, cloudy, sunset sky. Frankly, apart from Spiritual, I don't care much for the rest that's on it... )

[adrian]

Music and words of Spiritual were originally written by Charly Haden's son Josh. The text goes:

Of course, Proulx refers to the textless Haden/Metheny version, from their album "Beyond the Missouri Sky" (which I came across in a local store and bough on impulse because I love the title, and it has a gorgeous inside cover photograph of a big, cloudy, sunset sky. Frankly, apart from Spiritual, I don't care much for the rest that's on it... )

Thank you stevenedel for all the great information.  I do agree, 'Spiritual' is a stand-out on the album, but I don't think I had even given the other songs a fair chance.

[Front-Ranger]

There is another CD by Pat Methany Group that I like better, stevenedel and adrian. It is "Still Life Talking." I especially like the third track, Last Train Home.

[adrian]

There is another CD by Pat Methany Group that I like better, stevenedel and adrian. It is "Still Life Talking." I especially like the third track, Last Train Home.

  Thanks Ranger, I will definately check it out.  But the reason I am so drawn to 'Spiritual' is because it is the music that Annie Proulx used to dream that beautiful scene both in the book and later, the film.  It has that faraway western feel, like that faraway look in Jack's eyes, as Ennis rode away........again.  I love her writing, and I think it was another hidden treasure to discover what was in her imagination when writing that frozen moment in Jack's memory.

adrian

[Front-Ranger]

Here is the closing hymn we sang at Easter Sunday services today...the melody is very much like "Pat Methany's Spiritual". This is called "I Will Rise" and is written by Chris Tomlin.

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise