قل لي من تصاحب، أقول لك من أنت

فن التلاعب بالكلمات مع شوية زناخة....
الاول للثاني يا مان : قل لي من تصاحب، أقول لك من أنت
الثاني للاول: من تصاحب
الاول: من انت

و شكراً

Its CHRISTMAS

its such a nice season, I enjoy every part of it!
any ways that's not why I'm blogging, basically I hate it when everybody types Merry Xmass...
its wrong, its CHRISTMAS which is CHRIST+MASS
we all know who Jesus Christ is and Mass/Mas/Masse is a church celebration or just a celebration so we are celebrating Christ, by using X instead of Christ you are celebrating X which is not Christ, don't do abbreviations to save time, because by using X you are taking out the main element in Christmas which is the Christ.....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

If for one moment I start talking about people her and about their qualities you will come and shut me up because I won't shut up, people's kindness, HONESTY, and sweetness here kills......
even when it comes to taxi drivers, they are amazing, a taxi driver drove me 2 times to where I live, the next time he saw me he honked his horn and told me he's going my direction if I wanted a lift.... ain't that sweet!!!
I don't think I can ever leave this place on earth, its almost heaven, it just has extra people that need to be evacuated and it'll be heaven...

من بعض ما أرى وأسمع

عابر سبيل كان، وأصبح صديق عريق ولربما صديق قديم.سجن مرات عدة، وكان ما يلبث أن يفرج عنه إلا وأن يعاود و يعود، أجمل أيام حياته قاضاها في السجن، هذا ما قاله لي، كان يحزن حينما يفرج عنه ويحن للزنزانة، كان يخرج ليطمئن على عائلته، ولكن حبه للزنزانة طغى الى حبه لعائلته، أو بالأحرى حبه لوطنه كان الفاعل في جملة حياته.
ذهبت لأزوره في منزله، ولفتت انتباهي جملةٌ معلقةٌ على حائط غرفة الجلوس، فضولي طلب مني معرفة

قصة هذه الجملة، فقال لي:هذه الجملة رافقتني في كل زنزانة دخلتها، رافقتني، وعزتني، كانت رفيقة دربي

سأصبر حتى يعجز الصبر عن صبري

واصبر حتى يأذن الله في أمري

واصبر حتى يعلم الصبر انني صابر على

شيء أمر من الصبر

I did it.....

3 months a go I applied for a visa to go to Palestine in order to participate in the Palestine Youth Orchestra workshop that was held there, unfortunately the Israeli embassy didn't issue the visa until a month and a half ago and yes I missed the workshop, so I got the visa I graduated from university and I went to Palestine on the 16th of August 2008 thinking I will never get the visa again so why not seize the moment and go visit.... I did it...

My dad almost cried on the phone when i told him I am going to Palestine, his home town to take a trip to visit his childhood, and to see what Palestine is all about, he begged me not to go there but that was when I said my first NO, I fought for what I wanted and yes I did it....
it really hurt me just to know that he remembers where he lived in small little details, he knew the names of the streets the color of the walls, the names of their neighbors, he remembers every single detail and he left it when he was just a kid...

The reality shocked me, I got there still in denial not believing that I am there, I loved it, I can finally say I am from Palestinian origins, I walked down the streets and I met people I know who still cant believe I entered, I pray for every person on the face of earth that one day they get the chance to see its glory, I walked in its streets, inhaled it essence, tasted its flavor... I did it

Its been a month now and I still can't believe that I did it, I saw it all, and I felt it all, the Churches and the Mosques the streets and the walls are live proof of a presence of a greater force, no words I can think of describe my feelings nor what I saw... I saw it all .... I did it

I am still here... I found my Jerusalem... I found my lost city... I found me.... I am not leaving..... I DID IT...

a Question on my mind....

Its such a weird thing when I descover something new in me, I recently found out that I am one of the most random thinking people on the face of earth I ever met..... I was sitting the other day watching a movie I guess untill I found me thinking out loud saying this sentence: "if you found some one working you ask do you need a hand?? why wouldnt you say something to a person walking like would you need a leg??"
.
.
.
.
end of thinking..... beginning of NOTHING..... SILENCE

Oh! Your daughter speaks English?? My niece speaks ARABIC!!!!

My sister was out of town a while ago so I had to baby sit Yasmin a 4 year old and Faris a 2 year old, and as their nice and of course COOL auntie Hindo I had to take them on outings and spend some fun quality time with them!!!!
NEVER MIND........... during that month when my sister was out of town Yasmin had a birthday invitation!!! YAAAAYYYYYYY she was so happy.......
YASMIN: "please Hindo take me I will be very nice I promise ou baw3idek ino ba7ki bil3arabi 3ashan inti you dont understand English for 3 days in a row!!!!"
ME: "ok thats a deal missy ou ana baw3idek ino i'll start learning English..."

I really hate how kids these days tend to speak only in English and a year or so after they end up with a crappy Arabic language command!!!!!

a week after this conversation its the birthdayyy!!! well I we went and of course I have to stay with her, sitting with kids moms (the GOLDEN LADIES a name i gave them) that speak only English, talk about shoes, fashion, etiquette and all this crap that does not interest me even if I was paid to be interested in!!!

ANY WAAYYYYY, one of the girls came to her MOMMY and was like "Mommy, that little boy over there is not sharing the slide with every one, its annoying." the MOMMY said: "even though my daughter is 4 she has perfect English, Arabic si3eb 3aleiha hala2 7aramm..."
I was so pissed but that was all at the same time when Yasmin came in.......drum roll......I was thinking of please ARABIC ARABIC YASMINE I7KI 3ARAAABIII..............."khalto Hindo, fee majal teeeji takhdeeni arooo7 a3mal rasem 3al wijeh ya3ni face painting ou t2ooli lal painter bidi farasheh ya3ni butter fly??" I was like YIS3ED RABBBBEKK, so I turned to the MOMMY and told her: " wow thats so great, same here even though Yasmin is 4 she has perfect Arabic she's not allowed to use English with me because Arabic better, English is too easy for her and thats 7aram."
gosh I wanted to kick that lady so hard, laykoon il wa7ad ili bi7ki 3arabi kundara!!!

Hind Vs. the Golden Ladies- MOMMY
1-0

Weird conversations abroad!!

I was in France recently, had a concert in Bellfort then I extended my trip to visit my uncle (mom's side), anyways, I have discovered he as well have the weird kind of questions such like the ones I have with mom!!
it was around 2 AM when I was sitting with the family watching TV playing cards, chatting, joking...family stuff ....etc so I decided its time to go to sleep, I headed down stairs to my room and I didnt sleep immediately, any ways very long story short, after 30 minutes or so my uncle cals me,
Khalo: HIINDDD
ME: aywaaa (yes)
Khalo: Nimtee??? (did you sleep yet??)
ME: ehhhhh, khaliini ashuuf!! ANDARI?? (eeehhh, let me check, no clue!!!)
Khalo: shlone ma 3am bifham?? (what, i dont understand)
ME: inta shu ra2yak? (what do you think)
*******SILENCE********

I find these conversations very weird, lack of common sense fills the air, but again common sense isnt always common as I may presume!!!

Stopping to Realize what's going on!

I dont concider this a post, its more of a reminder that I have reached this level.... I need an answer from the "idiots" who are doing this, I have written many blogs saying how much I want to LEAVE this place...... well now I have one more reason to add on my list!!! I CANT AFFORD LIVING HERE, damn I CANT AFFORD DYING as well!!!
this is too much for me, more than I can handle, damn it I have to play loads after I die as well....
why is this happening?? when and where is it going to end??
this brings me to my current state of mind.....
I dont believe in political jokes, I have seen so many get elected!

I can't see the END....

I don't think I will be able to stay here, honestly I do not want to sound cocky or arrogant or ANY OTHER THING. I can't take this crap any more, as much as I love Jordan as much as I can't wait to leave, the only thing that has made me survive all this bullshit was going out every once in a while but now I cant deal with just the "every once in a while" part it has to be ONCE AND FOR ALL, I have a concert in France this May, and one in Italy in October, these are acting as my "light in the end of the tunnel" but I know for sure when time comes to reach this light it will only be a train speeding toward me, slap me in the face, ask me to wake up and smell the coffee, I will never leave here, I am stuck in this crap hole forever..... I wonder till when....... I am independent, I have been working for the past 4 years, I will graduate this semester, I travel alone....etc but unfortunately my parents paid for my education (I really wanted to do that but our beloved "system" does not give us the chance to even try) so as my parents say they have total control over me, I am not allowed to leave here and go alone, I was shocked my parents aren't that type at all, they always gave me total freedom to do what ever I want......... I will leave here I promise and hell no I wont be married to do so, but when..... I just cant wait to see the end........

Works of Carlos Latuuf GAZA

Some times word can't express the inexpressible, thats where colors interfere.

Deep Thoughts

Have you ever had weird thoughts run through your head while sitting doing nothing, your brain generates the "automatic thinking switch" on, thoughts and questions come to your head jamming like a jazz band each member dying to play a solo, improvise and want to be heard...... Well lately I started writing these thoughts down, maybe one day they'll lead me to the center of the universe!!!!
I'll share some with you.....

• Why does your nose run, and your feet smell?
• Why do we press harder on remote control buttons when we know the battery is dead?
• If con is the opposite of pro, then is Congress the opposite of progress

some life's observations as well....

• Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
• I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.
• I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
• Borrow money from a pessimist - they don't expect it back.

oh well this is whats coming to my mind, you might have heard some of them before maybe not, who knows, we all end up thinking the same some way or another!!!

P.S I intend to live forever - so far so good.

Again weird conversation...

I said I'll add more of me and mom's conversations this happened two days ago.

I was in my room 9 AM mom thought that I left "I guess", heading to the kitchen mom's sees me.....
MOM: lissatek hone???
Me: i7zariiii......
MOM: la2 ya3ni lissa ma ro7tiii???
Me: ahh walaaww ro7t, i3tibrini mish mawjudeh kamli shoghlek wala yhimek!!!
MOM: ma aznakhek!!!
Me: ya3ni hada so2al binsa2alll, ana lazem aroo7 BYE
MOM: Hind, tal3a??
Me: MA TI7KI.... khaaalaaassssss,
Mom: hehe I know how to drive you crazy don't I
Me: Mhhmmm

اعلان من معهد ادوارد سعيد الوطني للموسيقى

English Follows

يعلن معهد ادوارد سعيد الوطني للموسيقى

عن فتح باب تقديم طلبات الالتحاق في

للورشة التدريبية والعروض الموسيقية للعام 2008 الخاصة ب

أوركسترا فلسطين للشباب

بمشاركة أوركسترا ميوزيكوم كوليجيوم من ألمانيا

وبقيادة المايسترو والتر ميك

المخيم الموسيقي من 17 - 26 تموز 2008

يتبعه جولة عروض موسيقية من 27 تموز إلى 3 آب

في مدن: رام الله، القدس، الناصرة/ حيفا، عمان ودمشق

لمزيد من المعلومات الرجاء زيارة الموقع الإلكتروني:

http://ncm.birzeit.edu/pyo/Announcment.pdf

لتقديم الطلبات الرجاء زيارة الموقع الالكتروني: و

http://ncm.birzeit.edu/pyo

The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music

announces

that applications for the

Palestine Youth Orchestra 2008

in cooperation with members of the Collegium Musicale of the University of Bonn

under the leadership of German conductor Walter Mik

are now being accepted. To apply please go to: http://ncm.birzeit.edu/pyo

from 17^th – 26^th July Workshop In Birzeit /Palestine followed by a concert tour from July 27^th until August 3^rd

in cities including Ramallah, Jerusalem, Haifa/Nazareth, Amman and Damascus

for more Information,visit the following link:

http://ncm.birzeit.edu/pyo/Announcment.pdf

Till when ....

So we're having a bad weather, so what.... it suits me.... the problem is with our satellite, it decides to hibernate, and we end up watching Jordan TV.
I haven't watched JTV in a very long time, I found it EXACTLY the same, I couldn't believe it.... shu haaddd I didn't believe it, oh well this isn't mainly my problem, I was truly shocked, they stopped broadcasting at 1:30 A.M, they put that extremely old recording of the Jordanian National Anthem for 6 minutes or so, then it went teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttttttt, ana smi3t il teeeet min hon ou kan fi 3a2l ou taar!!! KAIF YA3NI nothing changed in JTV since forever........
last time when it snowed the same thing happened, but it was another case, it was a god damned FRIDAY, I had to watch yimza3 saba7ak....... same studio same decor....... same...same...blah blah blah, and not to mention that the picture went faster than the sound, all the people that were hosted on that show looked extremely funny for me..... il soat bsha2a will soora bsha2a..... anyways, the only thing I'm capable of saying is till when, I'm usually proud of Jordan in many aspects but unfortunately JTV is not even close to any of them!!!!

My Driving observations...

I have only been driving for 4 years now, and even though what you're about to read isn't taught in driving schools but I have noticed that many drivers agree to these "rules" in driving:

Turn signals will give away your next move. Drivers never use them (they rather surprise you by turning right or left DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THEM). Use of them in the round-about and intersections may be illegal.

Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered "going with the flow."

The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit, or caught by surveillance cameras.

Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork. (you might not like what MIGHT happen)

Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.

Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.

Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions, and are apparently not enforceable during rush hour.

Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident, or even if someone is just changing a tire. (Oh someone is in trouble lets SLOW DOWN and just WATCH, people behind us will do the same I don't think we'll be blocking the way!!!)

Throwing litter on the roads adds color to the landscape and gives Adopt-a-Highway crews something to clean up.

It is assumed that police cars passing at high speed may be followed in the event you need to make up a few minutes on your way to work, or lunch break.

Heavy snow, ice, fog, and rain are no reasons to change any of the previously listed rules. (These weather conditions are God's way of ensuring a natural selection process for body shops, junkyards, and new vehicle sales).

I just dont get it....

well this happens to me nearly every day, as much as it has a weird sense of sarcasm in it as much as I just don't get it..... mainly its between me and mom, and each time with each coming day its the SAME thing sometimes new and different comments as well!

it goes as the following scenario(s):

No.1
Me: (just walked in to the house for lunch, sitting down watching T.V)
Mom: (calls on the LAND LINE)
Me: alo?
Mom: Hii Hind
Me: Hala yamma ??
Mom: WEINEKK HALA2??
Me: (SHOCKED) bat5ayal inek 7aketi 3al beit fa wein momken akoon bil ma3had??

the same exact conversation but a twist in the end:

No.2
Me: (just walked in to the house for lunch, sitting down watching T.V)
Mom: (calls on the LAND LINE)
Me: alo?
Mom: Hii Hind
Me: Hala yamma ??
Mom: INTI BILBEIT??
Me: (SHOCKED) momken, zay mabiddek, inty sho bit2oooli??? ana 7assseh ino ana fil beit!!!

No.3
this time no phone calls

I just walked into the house while mom is watching T.V

ME: Hi mama
Mom: Ijeeeti??
Me: I guess, I am standing here aren't I??


More to come soon...

Is there anybody out there???

Oh well, I decided to come back, I never decided to quit in the first place...a fellow blogger made me think of doing this again... the thing is I really enjoy writing, I really do, I used to be very good at it, but somewhere in the middle between school, university and my life I lost my talent, whenever I feel the need to write something I cant find the words to describe my state of mind or what i think, its as if I suffer from a lack of vocabulary syndrome the moment I see a keyboard.. I can no longer THINK...

So in order to catch up of what was going on during the last period of my funny full- of- action life, I'll write in brief.....
in July I passed my third year in university with a 3.5 GPA so it was extremely rewarding for me and I was so excited about starting my senior year soon.

in August I traveled with the Palestine Youth Orchestra (PYO) to GERMANY a country where I always wanted to go, I spent 12 great days, we played Dvorák's 3rd Symphony, Wedding Sketches by Salvador Arnita, Longa To Marcell and Manfa for Issa Boulos. it was a success.

In September we (the Jordanian Music Ensemble) had a concert to represent Jordan in the Neurological Surgeons Convention that took place there in San Diego, California. and since then UNFORTUNATELY I haven't even visited the airport, this is the longest period i spend in Amman since 2003 (almost 5 months....too much)

October...till NOW
nothing much has happened:
few good concerts with the Amman Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
I've been losing weight and living healthy,
FINISHED MY FIRST SEMESTER IN MY SENIOR YEAR

I'm so excited about this semester, I will finally GRADUATE.... you are all invited... I have been preparing for my graduation project for almost a year and i am so excited about it, I am going to play Arutunian Trumpet Concerto on my graduation, but for the listening jury I haven't decided yet maybe Hummel Trumpet Concerto, not sure though.
one more thing that will be going on this semester is that I'm back to work at the Amman Baptist School, I've been working there in the music department for the past 3 years but took a break last semester to focus on practicing and supposedly write LESSON PLANS for this semester.... I HATE LESSON PLANS, the teacher responsible for our work and "internship" is leaving till august and me and my friend are doing ALL of her work! its so exciting yet scary we've been with her for the past 13 years and i always found it amazing how she is 5 people in 1.... thinking of it scares the crap out of me! oh well its a new challenge in my life..... all to discover what I want.... and what I am

Understanding the lyrics of American Pie- Don Mclean

This song without comparison one of my favorites.... I love it so much and i can't recall one day of my life without singing it or quoting from it!

this analysis I knew since i was a kid! and I found it fully written with complete analysis and I'd like to share it with you, its good information to know:

A long, long time ago...

"American Pie" reached #1 in 1972, shortly after it was released. Buddy Holly ; unfortunately, died in 1959.

I can still remember how That music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, That I could make those people dance, And maybe they'd be happy for a while.

Sociologists credit teenagers with the popularity of Rock and Roll, as a part of the Baby boomer generation, they found themselves in a very influential position. Their shear number were the force behind most of our country's recent major transitions. McLean was a teenager in 1959 and he begins by simply commenting that the music had an appealing quality to him as well as the millions of other teens. McLean also had an intense desire to entertain as a musician. His dream, to play in a band at high school dances, was the dream of many young boys who wanted to make people dance to Rock and Roll.

But February made me shiver,

Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash in Iowa during a snowstorm. Its rumored that the name of the plane was: American Pie.

With every paper I'd deliver,

Don McLean's only job besides being a full-time singer/song writer was being a paperboy.

Bad news on the doorstep... I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride

Holly's recent bride was pregnant when the crash took place; she had a miscarriage shortly afterward.

But something touched me deep inside, The day the music died.

The same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly also tragically took the lives of Richie Valens ("La Bamba") and The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace.") Since all three were so prominent at the time, February 3, 1959, became known as "The Day The Music Died."

So...

(Refrain) Bye bye Miss American Pie,

**Don McLean dated a Miss America candidate during a pageant and broke up with her on February 3, 1959. (Unconfirmed interpretation)

So its probably...

Just a reference to the plane, "American Pie" that crashed.

I drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry, Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singing "This'll be the day that I die, This'll be the day that I die."

Driving the Chevy to the levee almost certainly refers to the three college students whose murder was the subject of the film 'Mississippi Burning.' The students were attempting to register as black voters, and after being killed by bigoted thugs their bodies were buried in a levee. Them good ol' boys being: Holly, Valens, and the Big Bopper, They were singing about their death on February 3. One of Holly's hits was "That'll be the Day"; the chorus contains the line "That'll be the day that I die."

(Verse 2) Did you write the book of love,

"The Book of Love" by the Monotones; hit in 1958."Oh I wonder, wonder who... who, who wrote the book of love?"

And do you have faith in God above, If the Bible tells you so?

**In 1955, Don Cornell did a song entitled "The Bible Tells Me So." It was difficult to tell if it was what McLean was referencing. Anyone know for sure?

There is also an old Sunday School song that goes:"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so" McLean was somewhat religious.

Now do you believe in rock 'n roll?

The Lovin' Spoonful had a hit in 1965 with John Sebastian's "Do you Believe in Magic?". The song has the lines: "Do you believe in magic" and "It's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock and roll."

Can music save your mortal soul? And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Music was believed to "save the soul" and slow dancing was an important part of early rock and roll dance events. Dancing declined in importance through the 60's as things like psychedelia and the 10-minute guitar solo gained prominence.

McLean was asking many questions about the early rock 'n roll in an attempt to keep it alive or find out if it was already dead.

Well I know that you're in love with him 'Cause I saw you dancing in the gym

Back then, dancing was an expression of love,and carried a connotation of commitment. Dance partners were not so readily exchanged as they would be later.

You both kicked off your shoes

A reference to the beloved "sock hop." (Street shoes tear up wooden basketball floors, so dancers had to take off their shoes.)

Man, I dig those rhythm 'n' blues

Before the popularity of rock and roll, music, like much elsewhere in the U. S., was highly segregated. The popular music of black performers for largely black audiences was called, first "race music," later softened to rhythm and blues. In the early 50s, as they were exposed to it through radio personalities such as Allan Freed, white teenagers began listening, too. Starting around 1954, a number of songs from the rhythm and blues charts began appearing on the overall popular charts as well, but usually in cover versions by established white artists, (e.g."Shake Rattle and Roll," Joe Turner, covered by Bill Haley; "Sh-Boom, "the Chords, covered by the Crew-Cuts; "Sincerely," the Moonglows, covered by the McGuire Sisters; Tweedle Dee, LaVerne Baker, covered by Georgia Gibbs). By 1955, some of the rhythm and blues artists, like Fats Domino and Little Richard were able to get records on the overall pop charts.In 1956 Sun records added elements of country and western to produce the kind of rock and roll tradition that produced Buddy Holly.

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

"A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation), "was a hit for Marty Robbins in 1957. The pickup truck has endured as a symbol of sexual independence and potency, especially in a Texas context.(Also, Jimmy Buffet does a song about "a white sport coat and a pink crustacean.":-) )

But I knew that I was out of luck The day the music died I started singing...

Refrain

(Verse 3) Now for ten years we've been on our own

McLean was writing this song in the late 60's,about ten years after the crash.

And moss grows fat on a rolling stone

It's unclear who the "rolling stone" is supposed to be. It could be Dylan, since "Like a Rolling Stone" (1965) was his first major hit; and since he was busy writing songs ex-tolling the virtues of simple love, family and contentment while staying at home (he didn't tour from '66 to '74) and raking in the royalties. This was quite a change from the earlier, angrier Dylan.

The "rolling stone" could also be Elvis Presley, although I don't think he started to pork out by the late sixties. he-he!

It could refer to rock and rollers, and the changes that had taken place in the business in the 60's, especially the huge amounts of cash some of them were beginning to make, and the relative stagnation that entered the music at the same time.

Or, it could refer to the Rolling Stones themselves, many musicians were angry at the Stones for "selling out." I discovered that John Foxx of Ultravox was sufficiently miffed to write a song titled "Life At Rainbow's End (For All The Tax Exiles On Main Street)." The Stone sat one point became citizens of some other country merely to save taxes.

But that's not how it used to be When the jester sang for the King and Queen

The jester is Bob Dylan, as will become clear later. There are several interpretations of king and queen: some think that Elvis Presley is the king, which seems rather obvious. The queen is said to be either Connie Francis or Little Richard. See the next note.

An alternate interpretation is that this refers to the Kennedys -- the King and Queen of "Camelot" -- who were present at a Washington DC civil rights rally featuring Martin Luther King. (There'sa recording of Dylan performing at this rally. The Jester.)

The third interpretation is that the jester could be Lee Harvey Oswald who sang (shouted) before he was shot for the murder of the King (JFK).

In a coat he borrowed from James Dean

In the movie "Rebel Without a Cause," James Dean has a red windbreaker that holds symbolic meaning throughout the film (see note at end). In one particularly intense scene, Dean lends his coat to a guy who is shot and killed; Dean's father arrives, sees the coat on the dead man, thinks it's Dean, and loses it. On the cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," Dylan is wearing just such a red windbreaker, posed in a street scene similar to movie starring James Dean.

Bob Dylan played a command performance for the Queen of England. He was *not* properly attired, so perhaps this is a reference to his apparel.

And a voice that came from you and me

Bob Dylan's roots are in American folk music,with people like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Folk music is by definition the music of the masses, hence the "...came from you and me."

Oh, and while the King was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown

Likely a reference to Elvis' decline and Dylan's ascendancy (i.e. Presley is looking down from a height as Dylan takes his place). Consider that Elvis was is the army at the time of Dylan's ascendancy and a common Army marching song sings, "Ain't no use in looking down, ain't no discharge on the ground". The thorny crown might be a reference to the price of fame. Dylan has said that he wanted to be as famous as Elvis, one of his early idols.

or...

Lee Harvey Oswald being the jester who ended the reign of JFK and "stole his crown."

or...

A third interpretation is the quote made by John Lennon and taken out of context indicating that John felt The Beatles were more popular then Jesus. John and The Beatles took the crown from Christ.

The courtroom was adjourned, No verdict was returned.

This could be the trial of the Chicago Seven.

but its more likely to be...

The fact that no verdict was returned for the assassination of JFK because the assassin was killed so the court was adjourned.

And while Lennon read a book on Marx,
Or it could be be...
And while Lenin rean a book on Marx,

Someone has to introduce Vladamir Lenin, the father of Marxist communism, to the idealogy of Karl Marx.

I love the play on words here...

Literally, John Lennon reading about Karl Marx; figuratively, the introduction of radical politics into the music of The Beatles. (Of course, he could be referring to Groucho Marx, but that doesn't seem quite consistent with McLean's overall tone. On the other hand, some of the wordplay in Lennon's lyrics and books is reminiscent of Groucho.)The "Marx-Lennon" word play has also been used by others, most notably the Firesign Theater on the cover of their album "How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All?" The Beatles "Here, There and Everywhere," for example. Also, a famous French witticism was "Je suis Marxiste, tendance Groucho. " (I'm a Marxist of the Groucho variety).

The quartet practiced in the park

There are two schools of thought about this; the obvious one is The Beatles playing in Shea Stadium, but note that the previous line has John Lennon *doing something else at the same time*. This tends to support the theory that this is a reference to the Weavers, who were blacklisted during the McCarthy era. McLean had become friends with Lee Hays of the Weavers in the early 60's while performing in coffeehouses and clubs in upstate New York and New York City. He was also well acquainted with Pete Seeger; McLean, Seeger, and others took a trip on the Hudson river singing anti-pollution songs at one point. Seeger's LP "God Bless the Grass" contains many of these songs.

And we sang dirges in the dark

A "dirge" is a funeral or mourning song, so perhaps this is meant literally...or, perhaps, this is a reference to some of the new "art rock" groups that played long pieces not meant for dancing. In the dark of the death of Holly.

The day the music died. We were singing...

Refrain

(Verse 4) Helter Skelter in a summer swelter

"Helter Skelter" is a Beatles song that appears on the "White" album. Charles Manson, claiming to have been "inspired"by the song (through which he thought God and/or the devil were taking to him) led his followers in the Tate-LaBianca murders.

Is "summer swelter" a reference to the "Summer of Love" or perhaps to the "long hot summer" of Watts?

The birds flew off with the fallout shelter Eight miles high and falling fast

Without a doubt this refers to the Byrds who helped launch David Crosby to super stardom. The Byrd's song "Eight Miles High" was found on their late 1966 release "Fifth Dimension." They recorded this song when some of the groups members were considering leaving (some of the groups members actually left the group because they refused to flyin an airplane). A fallout shelter was sometimes referred to as the fifth dimension because of the 1950's fascination with sci-fi and the futuristic appearance of a fallout shelter. This was one of the first records widely banned because of supposedly drug-oriented lyrics.

But...

Another idea considers The Beatles' "Helter Skelter."A line from the song reads, 'I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you.' The similarity is pretty obvious.

It landed foul on the grass

One of the Byrds was busted for possession of marijuana.

The players tried for a forward pass

Obviously a football metaphor, but about what?It could be the Rolling Stones, i.e., they were waiting for an opening that really didn't happen until The Beatles broke up.

With regard to the next idea, the players maybe other musicians who received the opportunity to shine when Dylan was injured.

With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

On July 29, 1966, Dylan crashed his Triumph 55 motorcycle while riding near his home in Woodstock, New York. He spent nine months in seclusion while recuperating from the accident. This gave a chance for many other artists to become noticed (see the next interpretation).

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume

Drugs, man.

Well, now, wait a minute; that's probably too obvious (wouldn't want to make it easy). It's possible that this line and the next few refer to the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The "sweet perfume" is probably tear gas.

It could be the fact the since Dylan was temporarily out of the picture, the future looked bright for many artists. The Stones, for example, may have been given a brief chance.

While sergeants played a marching tune

Following from the second thought above, the sergeants would be the Chicago Police and the Illinois National Guard, who marched protesters out of the park where the Convention was being held and into jail.

Alternatively, this could refer to The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Or, perhaps McLean refers to The Beatles' music as "marching" because it's not music for dancing.

Or, finally, the "marching tune" could be the draft.

**(What did the Stones release in '66??)

We all got up to dance Oh, but we never got the chance

The Beatles' 1966 Candlestick Park concert only lasted 35 minutes. But at this point The Beatles were not "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967)

Or, following on from the previous comment, perhaps she was considering the hippies who were protesting the Convention. They were known for playing their own folk music.

'Cause the players tried to take the field, The marching band refused to yield.

Some folks think this refers to either the 1968 Democratic Convention or Kent State. If the players are the protesters at Kent State, and the marching band the Ohio National Guard...

This could be a reference to the dominance of The Beatles on the rock and roll scene. For instance, the Beach Boys released "Pet Sounds" in 1966 -- an album that featured some of the same sort of studio and electronic experimentation as "Sgt. Pepper" (1967). The album sold poorly because of The Beatles.

The other Beatles reference here refers to the Monkees. The Monkees were merely actors (or players), they were not a true band but a fabrication attempting to replicate The Beatles. The players tried to take the place of the Fab Four but the band wouldn't step down.

Or finally, this might be a comment that follows up on the earlier reference to the draft: the government/military industrial-complex establishment refused to accede to the demands of the peace movement.

Do you recall what was revealed, The day the music died? **Check for any controversies released on Feb3, 1959. We started singing Refrain (Verse 5) And there we were all in one place Woodstock. A generation lost in space

Some people think this is a reference to the US space program, which it might be (the first moon landing took place in '69); but that seems a bit too literal. Perhaps this is a reference to hippies, who were sometimes known as the "lost generation," partially because of their particularly acute alienation from their parents, and partially because of their presumed preoccupation with drugs (which was referred to as being "spaced-out.")

Being on drugs was sometimes termed -- being lost in space because of the TV show, "Lost in Space," whose title was usedas a synonym for someone who was rather high... I keep hoping that McLean had better taste. :-)

With no time left to start again

The "lost generation" spent too much time being stoned, and had wasted their lives. Or, perhaps, their preferences for psychedelia had pushed rock and roll so far from Holly's music that it couldn't be retrieved.

So come on Jack be nimble Jack be quick

Probably a reference to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones; "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was released in May 1968.

Jack Flash sat on a candlestick

**The Stones' Candlestick park concert? (unconfirmed)

Jack Flash is also a cockney slang term for pharmaceutical heroin. If you know how to use heroin, you understand the reference.

'Cause fire is the devil's only friend

It's possible that this is a reference to the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil."

An alternate interpretation of the last four lines is that they may refer to Jack Kennedy and his quick decisions during the Cuban Missile Crisis; the candlesticks/fire refer to ICBMs and nuclear war.

And as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage; No angel born in hell, could break that Satan's spell

While playing a concert at the Altamont Speedway in 1968, the Stones appointed members of the Hell's Angels to work security (on the advice of the Grateful Dead). In the darkness near the front of the stage, a young man named Meredith Hunter was beaten and stabbed to death -- by the Angels. Public outcry that the song "Sympathy for the Devil"(because of "satan's spell") had somehow incited the violence and caused the Stones to drop the song from their show for the next six years. This incident is chronicled in the documentary film "Gimme Shelter."

It's also possible that McLean views the Stones as being negatively inspired (he had an extensive religious background)because of "Sympathy for the Devil," "Their Satanic Majesties' Request"and so on. This is a bit puzzling, since the early Stones recorded a lot of "roots" rock and roll, including Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away."

And as the flames climbed high into the night, To light the sacrificial rite

The most likely interpretation is that McLean is still talking about Altamont, and in particular Mick Jagger's prancing and posing and "climbing high" while it was happening. Or the bonfires around the area could provide the flames. The sacrifice is Meredith Hunter.

(It could be a reference to Jimi Hendrix burning his Stratocaster at the Monterey Pop Festival, but that was in 1967 and this verse is no doubt set in 1968.)

I saw Satan laughing with delight

If the above is correct, then Satan would be Jagger.

The day the music died He was singing...

Refrain

(Verse 6) I met a girl who sang the blues

Ms. Janis Joplin, the lady of the blues.

And I asked her for some happy news But she just smiled and turned away

Janis died of an accidental (accidental my ass!)heroin overdose on October 4, 1970.

Or...

The girl might be Roberta Flack. Its rumored that she wrote, "Killing Me Softly (with his song)," in response to this lyric in his song.

I went down to the sacred store Where I'd heard the music years before

There are two interpretations of this: The "sacred store" was Bill Graham's Fillmore West, one of the great rock and roll venues of all time. Alternatively, this refers to record stores, and their long time (then discontinued) practice of allowing customers to preview records in the store. (What year did the Fillmore West close?)

It could also refer to record stores as "sacred" because this is where one goes to get "saved." (See above lyric "Can music save your mortal soul?")

But the man there said the music wouldn't play

Perhaps he means that nobody is interested in hearing Buddy Holly et. al.'s music? Or, as above, the discontinuation of the in-store listening booths.

And in the streets the children screamed

"Flower children" being beaten by police and National Guard troops; in particular, perhaps, the People's Park riots in Berkeley in 1969 and 1970.

It is possible that this refers to the Vietnamese children. Life magazine was famous for publishing horrifying photos of children in Vietnam during the Vietnamese War.

The lovers cried and the poets dreamed

The trend toward psychedelic music in the 60's?Or again the hippies who were both great lovers and poets who would then be crying because of the difficulties of their struggle and dreaming of peace.

But not a word was spoken The church bells all were broken

It could be that the broken bells are the dead musicians: neither can produce any more music.

And the three men I admire most The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Holly, The Big Bopper, and Valens -- or -- **Hank Williams, Presley, and Holly (check this) --or -- JFK, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy -- or -- or simply the Catholic aspects of the deity. McLean had attended several Catholic schools.

They caught the last train for the coast

Could be a reference to wacky California religions, or it could just be a way of saying that they've left (or died -- western culture has used "went west" as a synonym for dying). Or, perhaps this is a reference to the famous "God is Dead" headline in the New York Times. Some have suggested that this is an oblique reference to a line in Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale," but I'm not sure I'd buy that; firstly, all of McLean's musical references are to much older roots: rock and roll songs; and secondly, I think it's more likely that this line shows up in both songs simply because it's a common cultural metaphor.

The day the music died

This tends to support the conjecture that the"three men" were Holly/Bopper/Valens, since this says that they left us on the day the music died.

And they were singing...Refrain (2x)



I took this information from here

Happy 24th of June Jordan!

title "Happy 24th of June Jordan!"
"Happy 24th of June to all Jordanians"