I watched the fireworks on TV, DC is one hell of a backdrop for fireworks and patriotism stuff. There was, as usual, a concert on the mall with the National Symphony Orchestra and Tony Danza(!?). He’s been the MC for the last couple of years for some reason. Anyway, it’s seems like a good time, but I was a little confused with the choice of music. As the foreworks started, they were doing “Cabaret” from the musical of the same name. As soon as they finished that up, they went right into “The 1812 Overture”. Ah yes, nothing says America like evoking the Weimar Republic and then some Russian anti-Napoleanic bombast. Listen, give me Sousa (Stars and Stripes Forever is the best music for the 4th), Battle Hymn of the Republic, even Neil Diamond (Coming to America), but the first two things I mentioned I really don’t understand. The most inappropriate song I heard, and I heard it twice, was Dixie. It is, at least from the northern perspective, closely associated with the rebellious south in the Civil war, why play that on the day we celebrate the birth of the nation? Anyway, as I get older, I appreciate this holiday more and more. As I watched the fireworks, I was inspired to read some of Thomas Jefferson’s and John Adams’ works. Unfortunately, I think they will have to wait until after I’m done with Yemen…
Categories