We are gathered here to remember three deaths ... nay! Three lives, and the livers who lived them. I mean, not "livers" livers, not like an organ, you know, but as in "person who lived." Awwww, forget it!
Today is the feastday of Our Lady of Sorrows. I mention it A) because there are so many deaths today and B) because the iconography for the day is really interesting. It can range from Mary, with her heart pierced by seven swords; to Mary surrounded by images of the seven sorrows; to just a heart and seven swords. Also, in his epic poem Ballad of the White Horse, Chesterton includes this awesome line:
Over the iron forestIn 1885, P.T. Barnum's elephant, Jumbo, died. Why is this important? Because it was this elephant who brought the word "jumbo" into our lexicon and collective subconscious, especially with the movie Dumbo. If you recall, the mother was named Jumbo, and Dumbo's original name was Jumbo Jr. Remember the scene where she's in prison and rocks him with her trunk? Still makes me cry! Now, there was a sorrowful mother.
He saw Our Lady stand,
Her eyes were sad withouten art,
And seven swords were in her heart--
But one was in her hand.
Anyway, Jumbo's name either came from the Swahili jambo (which means "hello") or jumbe (which means "chief") and is how we got our modern-day meaning, "large."
100 years later, Cootie Williams died? "Who is Cootie Williams?" you ask. Well, aside from having a cool name, he was a jazz trumpeter of considerable skill. Listen for yourself.
Finally, a mere four years ago, the godfather of punk, Johnny Ramone (not his real name) of the Ramones, died. And, for those of you who think that all rock-n-rollers are liberals, Johnny Ramone was a Republican! Who knew the GOP was punk? Probably their most famous song is the anthem of all teachers at the end of a long day.
Requiem in Punk.
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