Friday, March 6, 2009

what a wonderful earth hour.......oh yeah



"What a Wonderful World" is a song by Bob Thiele (using the pseudonym George Douglas) and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1968, and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.....

.....Intended as an antidote for the increasingly racially and politically charged climate in the U.S. of everyday life. The song also has a hopeful, optimistic tone with regard to the future, with reference to babies being born into the world and having much to look forward to. The song was not initially a hit in the United States, where it sold fewer than 1,000 copies, but was a major success in the UK, reaching number one on the UK singles chart. It was also the biggest-selling single of 1968 in the UK. The song made Louis Armstrong the oldest male to top the charts, at sixty-six years and ten months old. (read
more at Wikipedia)

I came across this perfect video one night this week and it moved me to tears. The song seems so different to me now than when it came out in 1968, one of the most tumultuous times in the last 50+ years. Even with all the hell that was going on at the time when I heard this song in those days I felt absolutely hopeful.


Now, not so much. The damage done to this wonderful world in the decades since has put Earth in real peril. We know this. Some argue the causes and the severity, but we know we are in danger of losing the environmental balance that was taken for granted by all the generations before us.


To acknowledge that it is
we who have the weight of this wonderful world on our shoulders hurts almost more than bearing the weight of these times. But acknowledge we must. We must become as fully informed of as much detail of what is happening as we can, and we need to let our civic, state, and national leaders know that we are nuanced in our knowledge of environmental concerns.....and that we are watching their actions.

The second annual Earth Hour is coming up on Saturday, March 28, at 8:30 PM (your time). This year it's being promoted much more professionally and enthusiastically than last year, which seemed more an experiment.
Inside candy in South Africa posted a great post with links on how to sign up for Earth Hour 2009. Come on, let's make a powerful global difference together that night!

Mike and I participated last year and in a later post I might share the hysterical video from that night. In the meantime, for this year's Earth Hour video I think Mike must learn
What a Wonderful World on his guitar....

~

15 comments:

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

Oh no - no way: there's simply no way i can watch this video or listen to this song when i'm at work.

Louis Armstrong's voice is so perfect for this simple, but beautiful, song...do you want me in floods of tears at work?

It's even more relevant than ever now - because we stand on the brink of losing it all. xx

One of my all time favourite songs xxx

Anonymous said...

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Will wonders never cease! :)

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

I am so very thankful for you.....for bringing our attention to these matters.

I'm in!

MuseSwings said...

Ooooh Yeaaaaah! Love the song and what a sweet friendship!

secretfragileskies said...

love this song, your post. thanks!

Lily said...

Dear Lydia,
great video!
and please check my living in scandinavia-blog, there is an award waiting for you!!! love, sarah Sofia

Unknown said...

Earth Hour???? Will there be cake? Should I bring a cake?

Lydia said...

@Pixies- I hope you cleared a small part of your Friday evening to watch the video, revel in the song, and even tear up a bit. It's good for the soul.
Signing up for Earth Hour?

@Mibsy- Your opera series of posts are taking life in your comments! Those bravos make me long for an evening at Portland Opera, and they are certainly appropriate for this video.

@Wayfaring Wanderer- I'm so glad to read your enthusiasm for Earth Hour and guess that you'll share the news at your blog in your own way (bless you).

@MuseSwings- With a name like MuseSwings and the captivating avatar seen with your comments I am most anxious to pay your blog a visit. So good to have you here! :)

@secret, fragile skies- Wonderful to have your appreciation. Good weekend to you. :)

@Sarah sofia- I had returned from a visit to your blog and left a THANK YOU message there, then came back here and your comment popped in. You are so thoughtful and I loved the award.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Will you be joining Earth Hour from Scandinavia?

@Distracted- Cake is a super idea. Or cupcakes decorated like little Earths. :) Yup, I'm getting into this idea. Need to formulate a plan for figuring out how to know when a sly dog or curious cat might scope out the goodies in the dark, however. Let them eat cake has no applicability for pets.

The Acolyte Tao said...

Aww, that's too cute and sweet and I've always loved that song.

Namaste Lydia!

Darlene said...

Lydia, I saw this video once before and the caring between the little spotted faun and the kitten is simply beautiful. It is indeed, a reminder that we could lose all of this sweetness if we don't save the earth.

I will try to remember to check in to Earth Hour.

Lydia said...

@Acolyte Tao- Namaste to you. :) Glad it's one you've always liked.

@Darlene- You said it!
Here is the direct link to Earth Hour 2009 (the short video there is great).

Adam said...

*steals link to inside candy* this looked great btw. definately gonna push the family to do it :)

~Adam

j said...

I've seen this video before and don't dare watch it again with my son here. He's seen me crying a little too much this week (really, it's every week. I cry easily, though I think anyone would be brought to tears by this video).

Thanks for the Earth Hour reminder and overview. I'd love to see your video from last year!

Lydia said...

@Adam- Just wanted you to know that I stole the link to inside candy from Jennifer who commented just below your comment. :)
Yes! It's great that you and your family will be a part of Earth Hour.

@Jennifer- The fact that you cry easily tells more about your sensitive nature that informs your rich writing. (I hardly ever cry but I didn't used to be that way.)
May the tears you shed be predominantly from joy/awe.....
I'm looking for that vid in our computer; it's out there on YouTube but I'll use that as last resort.

candy said...

How lovely of you to link to me, thank you :)

Last year's event looked like fun (from the vid - which I loved!).

Thanks for writing such an inspirational post... it makes me want to flick the switch right now... and light some candles!

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