Upon closer examination

Over the years I’ve heard several cliches counseling against coming to know your heroes too well. I suppose there is wisdom there.

I have discovered what is true for heroes is also true for long favored melodies. I have been a fan of Ken Burns and his PBS documentaries since watching his Civil War some 33 years ago. The photographs, voices that beathed life into words not heard for over a hundred years and the music consistent with the period.

NPR recently introduced me the Second South Carolina String Band, a group of Civil War re-enactors who perform the music of 1820-1860. Utilizing original instruments, they play the music associated with the Union and with the Confederacy. The group has performed for several Ken Burns documentaries such as Mark Twain and Jazz.

There are some melodies that seem to just dance in an out of my awareness. I was talking with a friend about automatic memory and the fashion in which music will simply elbow its way into conscious awareness. I was trying to explain this one particularly melody.

“Oh, I know the song you’re talking about. It’s The Bonnie Blue Flag. But do you know the words?”

I admitted I didn’t. He said, “Well, you should.” Curiosity peaked, at first opportunity, I googled it. Google is a wonderful tool when you’re seeking lyrics to an old tune.

We are a band of brothers and native to the soil. Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

Huh! I tried a speedy rationalization. It could be voicing the sentiments of the American Revolution. I kept reading.

Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern Rights Hurrah! Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

My rationalizations shattered and fell away. I thought of Thoreau’s words, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” I can never again hear the melody and not think of the words. And it was such a satisfying marching song whose melody bounced so joyously through my mind.

Although I came close to stopping here, I didn’t. I read on. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.

Interesting. In doing the research for this Just Thinkin’, I discovered that Ken Burn’s Civil War is now being criticized. It seems his 33-year-old documentary is accused of being too soft on slavery. On that note, I think I’ll go consult the fizz of my soda pop.

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. – Winston Churchill.

Hal McBride writes a column, Just Thinkin’, published each week.