Current mood:	chipper
Current music:	Green Finch and Linnet Bird - Sweeney Todd OST

Teach me how to sing
In our office, we've all figured out each other's 'stress-coping mechanisms'. It's become a known fact that I take to music during these unforgiving moments at work. Then again, regardless of the circumstances, I don't think I can kick the habit of singing or humming along to my MP3s. _leche has already pointed out the startling and sirena-like properties of my doing so. Diba, Jeff? :)

With the past week spent in overtime overdrive, today's tension of beating a supposed deadline, and even more unnerving unravelling of events, a trusty playlist has kept me company. There is one particular song, however, that was on repeat today. Stephen Sondheim's "Green Finch and Linnet Bird".

Since I just watched "Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street" over the weekend, I've been listening to the soundtrack over YouTube. The movie is no doubt riveting and the music even more haunting and lush. Before seeing the film, I was only familiar with one song from the musical ("Not While I'm Around"), having had to learn it from voice lessons long ago.

Lyrics here and the movie version of the song at my Multiply.

Green Finch and Linnet Bird
(from Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd)

Green finch, and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate
sitting in cages
never taking wing?

Outside the sky waits
beckoning! Beckoning!
Just beyond the bars...
How can you remain
staring at the rain
maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
anything?
How is it you sing?

Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody
constantly floating?
Is it rejoicing or merely halloing?
Are you discussing?
Or fussing?
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?

Ringdove and robinet
is it for wages?
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided it's safer in cages
singing when you're told?

My cage has many rooms
damask and dark...
Nothing there sings,
not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
when they're captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive.

Ah...
Green Finch, and Linnet Bird,
nightingale, blackbird,
teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly...
Let me sing.

I'll resist the urge to cheapen or muddle the already beautiful message of the song with any more long-drawn philosophizing. Suffice to say, I've been learning to sing, even in the most unexpected places or situations. Still, that doesn't mean I'm discounting the thought of flying. I'll take my time for a song or two before taking wing.

***

Speaking of de-stressing and music therapy, I think my Libre horoscope this morning was spot-on when it told me, Makinig kay Ne-yo para makapag-relax. In between Sondheim and Stacey Kent, the thumping hip-hop beats of 'Crazy' and the laidback 'Can we Chill' or 'Angel', among others, all help to unwind. Buti na lang may ipinamanang MP3s. Thanks, jody2b!


***


Happy Birthday Ina! :)

The delicious cakes (go Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!) and the perfectly timed give-aways (UP planner. Well, not necessarily your doing. Haha!) made the day.

Too bad (or good thing) you missed Des's pakain for the OT crew.

Here's to more beautiful, stress-free days for you!