Thought of the day
Every now and then, I need to remind you, my dear, wonderful blogging friends, why this blog is called “Confessions of a Dumb, White Guy.”
I was watching a Western called "Hang ’Em High," and the scene that will ensure that I am voted into the Dumb White Guy Hall of Shame on the first ballot was when everyone in a 50-mile radius gathered in the town square to watch a hanging.
Life moved a little slower back then, I guess, so when word spread there was going to be a hanging, everyone quit churning butter and showed up like it was the town‑square version of pay‑per‑view.
As the hanging party got the condemned men ready for the gallows, the town pastor got the crowd even more fired up by leading them in the hymn “Rock of Ages.”
I remember thinking to myself: "Sweet. I like that song. But I only know the Def Leppard version. I didn't know it was a cover."
Turns out it was no cover at all.
Def Leppard’s 1983 hit “Rock of Ages” is a hard‑rock anthem, the kind of song that makes you want to throw your hands up and air‑guitar in the middle of your living room.
The other “Rock of Ages” is a 19th‑century Christian hymn written by Augustus M. Toplady—the kind of song that’s sung at funerals, weddings and the occasional 1800s public hanging.
The fact that I didn’t know the difference between a salvation‑seeking hymn and a stadium‑rock scream‑along is the kind of clueless mash‑up that helps me live up to this blog’s title and keeps you, my dear, wonderful blogging friend, coming back for more.
FTP (Finding the positivity)
Adding something new to the blog to remind myself to look for the good in the world and hopefully spark some joy in yours.Meme dump
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I will persevere.
I will keep moving forward.
I will be the stream.
I will keep moving forward.
I will be the stream.
I'm old enough to only know the hymn! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's OK, Margaret.
DeleteYou keep me entertained! I know both songs well (and like both), but never saw any connection between them other than the title. 😂 Great memes, as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly!
DeleteWell, if it makes you feel any better, I know the hymn but not the Def Leppard song, which I had to go listen to on YouTube just now. We all have our areas of knowledge and lack thereof.
ReplyDeleteI will take any comfort I can get these days.
DeleteI’m with you.
ReplyDeleteDef Leppard all the way.
Also the kitty signs!
XOXO
Rock on!!
DeleteYou have my vote Mr. Shife!
ReplyDeleteI can always count on you, Ed.
DeleteAs soon as I saw Rock of Ages I began humming the hymn and not the Def Leopard. I wonder what that says about me?
ReplyDeleteAnd good on the dog rescuers; we need more people like that!
That said, this:
"when word spread there was going to be a hanging, everyone quit churning butter and showed up like it was the town‑square version of pay‑per‑view."
... is one of the best descriptive lines I have read in ages. It gave me a good morning giggle fit!
Good weekend, sir.
Thank you, Bob. Much appreciated.
DeleteI only know the hymn, but I was never a Def Leppard fan. By 1983, I was old enough to seek out toned-down music like Steely Dan.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense.
DeleteI do know the hymn, but the Def Leppard melody is stuck in my head, so I can’t think of the other. I hope that food truck sign is a joke.🤣
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ear worm.
DeleteI really can't tell if I've heard the Def Leppard song since I can't understand a word they're singing, . Nice beats though. On a cheerier note, I love that last meme! I don't know what that says about me and I don't really care.
ReplyDeleteI love that you love the last meme.
DeleteI read the dog shelter article. It's great they were able to get the dogs and take care of them.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteIt's about wing feathers, that whole raven/crow thing. Ravens have an extra wing feather. So the difference is really just a matter of a pinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the knowledge, Ami.
DeleteDef Leopard did it much better. We sell rocks at Home Depot and believe me, after 7 or 8 years you realize they age poorly.
ReplyDeleteYes, they did.
DeleteHmmm. Now what to comment. I'm lacking words. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
DeleteI did NOT know that was the name of the Def Leppard song. It's been a little bit since I've heard it. Now I'll be listening to it all day on repeat.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one.
DeleteI only know the hymn, too, which ages me, but it's cool that you (and others) only know the Def Leppard song :) I love the cat warning signs. I wish we had those here. And the new rock paper scissors is hilarious!
ReplyDelete