I know I've posted two videos this week, but I must post just one more - not a music video this time, but one of Andy Griffith's famous homespun monologues. Andy Griffith died this week, and there has been an outpouring of comments all over the internet. People have been posting pictures from The Andy Griffith Show and talking about what an influence the man has had. One of my friends shared a very nice article about "Andy Griffith's kinder gentler community" that you can read here.
I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show. When it was first run in prime time, I was exactly the same age as Opie. I think that made me pay close attention whenever Sheriff Taylor said something to his son, Opie. The truth is, many people were drawn to the town of Mayberry. Since it was first aired, The Andy Griffith Show has never been off the air. It has lived on in syndication, to the delight of many. How many of you have your favorite episodes? How many of you get a chuckle just by thinking of the interaction between Barney and Gomer?
Several years ago after Don Knotts died, I watched an interview with Andy Griffith, He made the comment that "Nobody could do what Don did -- many have tried, but no one has been able to do what he did." Likewise, no one else could do what Andy Griffith did. He brought delight to many in celebrating small town life with it's quirky citizens, and gave us all a wholesome image of a father and son, who found time to walk down to the fishing hole on a slow summer day, and who spent time teaching his son what was important in life. May he never leave the airwaves!
Before he was Sheriff Taylor, Andy Griffith made a name for himself with some homespun monologues. Because I love Shakespeare as well as Andy, I thought I would share Andy Griffith's rendition of Hamlet.
Once again, after a few days of triple digit heat, it was nice to hear thunder on the mountain (and in the valley) yesterday. It's also good to listen to "Thunder on the Mountain" by Bob Dylan (from Modern Times).
Thunder on the Mountain
By Bob Dylan
Thunder on the mountain, and there's fires on the moon
A ruckus in the alley and the sun will be here soon
Today's the day, gonna grab my trombone and blow
Well, there's hot stuff here and it's everywhere I go
I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee
Feel like my soul is beginning to expand
Look into my heart and you will sort of understand
You brought me here, now you're trying to run me away
The writing on the wall, come read it, come see what it say
Thunder on the mountain, rollin' like A drum
Gonna sleep over there, that's where the music coming from
I don't need any guide, I already know the way
Remember this, I'm your servant both night and day
The pistols are poppin' and the power is down
I'd like to try somethin' but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shinin' and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need
I've been sittin' down studyin' the art of love
I think it will fit me like a glove
I want some real good woman to do just what I say
Everybody got to wonder what's the matter with this cruel world today
Thunder on the mountain rolling to the ground
Gonna get up in the morning walk the hard road down
Some sweet day I'll stand beside my king
I wouldn't betray your love or any other thing
Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches
I'll recruit my army from the orphanages
I been to St. Herman's church, said my religious vows
I've sucked the milk out of A thousand cows
I got the porkchops, she got the pie
She ain't no angel and neither am I
Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes
I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams
Thunder on the mountain heavy as can be
Mean old twister bearing down on me
All the ladies in Washington scrambling to get out of town
Looks like something bad gonna happen, better roll your airplane down
Everybody going and I want to go too
Don't wanna take a chance with somebody new
I did all I could, I did it right there and then
I've already confessed - no need to confess again
Gonna make a lot of money, gonna go up north
I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth
The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf
For the love of God, you ought to take pity on yourself
