Little Cloud
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Friends, I wonder if you even remember me after a year off from The People's Republic of MOG. To say I have been trapped under something heavy is the greatest understatement. But, today, as deadlines have been met, as I come out from under grieving the loss of an old friend, as spring ekes towards summer, and as I begin the process of moving to a much better house with a garden, I find comfort in this song. I'd never heard of Incredible String Band until today. I can't decide if this is the silliest song I've ever heard and if I can even stand how fey and ridiculous it is. As frolicsome and trite as a pink gingham picnic basket. Oh, how I can't help myself, friends. It hooked me and gave me a hand up out of the mud. I hope enjoy it too. I can't wait to catch up with you all again.
Comments (6)
We knew you'd return. Congratulations on meeting the difficult deadlines. One hears that meeting deadlines is often fun. Sorry you lost an old friend. You have good friends here at Mog. The song above is my first encounter with Incredible String Band, and it's a gem. I like how you're like, "It hooked me and gave me a hand up out of the mud." The tune is strong enough to sound traditional and timeless, the beat has its own complex syncopation, and the well sung lyrics can get away with seeming trite because they also tell a poetic fable with great imagery and resonance. Imagine the lyric, "Float with me to distant lands wondrous and fair," as describing more than grand amour. Doesn't it also describe normal Mog posting and commenting? As always, your product placement worked!
Aaah, my man, Spike. How good to hear from you. Aren't these lyrics a funny little trip? This song reminds me of how Sesame Street in the 70s used to make me feel. Those songs and videos were fantastic and laced with acid and cotton candy. Children and shroom trippers alike were happy and fulfilled. This song made me giddy like those old days watching those strange videos. (This is even earlier, I know.) I just can't help but think about happy times when I hear innocent songs sung so evocatively and childlike with lyrics like the ones you pointed out, and this first verse:
Lying awake, late the other night
Heard above me a trembling,
I looked up, it was a little cloud,
From which a gold string was dangling;
You know, I gave the string a little pull,
Just to see what was on the other end.
Just then a voice came down to me, says,
"Hey, now, don't you want to be my friend?
Just too cute.
Welcome back, friend. I too am finding my way back into MOG after a spell (not nearly as lengthy as yours) of restricted involvement. It's good to see your words and bask in your insights - you class up the joint.
My teenage moment with the ISB is now nearly four decades along, but I still remember this song quite well. For their quintessence, try "The Hangman's Lovely Daughter." the record that came immediately after this one, It is arguably the hippiest record of all time. It is also transcendent and dippy in equal measures, and well worth your aural investment. AFter that they became Scientologists and the whole thing fell apart. The Joe Boyd memoir "White Bicycles," oft cited around these parts, has the full story...
C-O-totha-B..that's funny, after all the White Bicycles Love MOG dished in my tenure here I had to check it and the Incred. string out. I can't quote song and verse from either, but I most definitely see what the hub-bub is. Great to see you around. Of course, I have been MOG-MIA for awhile now too.
Yeah, meeting a deadline - the best worst time ever. Nice to see you on here. I was pretty invisible for a while and I will disappear again no doubt. And I find this song actually very pleasant BTW.
A very sweet selection. I love how the cloud invites us to admire her dress. An evocative visual image. I enjoyed the Incredible String Band in my college days too. Early 70s. Saw them live.