A somewhat inconsequential post.

The sun is actually shining, and the sky is blue!

I had forgotten what Oxford looked like under a blue sky.

And whatever Arnold thought, it definitely benefits from sunshine.

(no subject)

For all those who found themselves being labelled 'Socialist' (in the American sense of Hillary Clinton=Gorby=Commie, may I present a link to music clips of the International in more languages than any sane person could want.

http://www.hymn.ru/internationale/index-en.html

I particularly reccomend the throat-singing one.

PS: Billy Bragg's version is actually pretty good, for fans of angry English protest singers...

And the words, for those interested.

The English translation is appalling; who on earth perpetrated that?

The German one is much more convincing, though it's still not great poetry, it does have a certain force and dignity. The English, on the other hand, is just risible - I'd be tempted to say it's no wonder parts of Germany had a Communist government and Britain never did if I didn't know it had more to do with the Soviet tanks and Uncle Joe. But I don't think the English words would have helped the cause, and I'm not surprised that Billy Bragg heavily altered the words.

The 'Freedom come all ye' is still the best left wing song in English (well, OK, it's in Scots) I can think of, though.

( Peasants, artisans and others! Spurn the dust to win the prize! )