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Listen to This, Would Ya?—Over the Rainbow

It's time for another sit-down at the piano. On cruise ships, there is always some crew musician playing schmaltz on a baby grand somewhere on board, especially during rough seas. Last week on the roughest day at sea, I was in a gift shop buying a jacket (the Caribbean was not warm that day), and in the atrium just beyond the balcony rail was a guy playing Claire de Lune in the most peaceful manner. We hit a big wave that felt as if we hit something large and solid, and some ladies screamed, but the guy kept playing. It was so effective—calming schmaltz.

My Claire de Lune is in sad repair, so I have opted for a dreamy arrangement of Over the Rainbow instead. I have held onto this ragged piece of sheet music since high school because it was left to me by a friend who died when we were seventeen.




May your troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops. How's that for schmaltz?

Comments

dive said…
Oh, Robyn. That's just gorgeous.
I can picture you playing that in the lounge bar of a cruise liner while the passengers are tossed about by the high seas.
7:07 AM
Scout said…
I wanted that man's job for a while, but I suspect it would get old after a week or two.
7:32 AM
dive said…
Playing cruise ships does indeed suck, Robyn. My friend Ian did it for a few seasons. When he wasn't on stage he was treated as a lower crew member, not allowed to enjoy any of the ship's facilities and made to do odd jobs around the place.
I'm glad you're not stuck doing that but can get back home and play your piano for us.
8:03 AM
peahen said…
Wow, that's nice. I've said it before, but as a brass player through and through, I really admire anyone who can read more than one line of dots and co-ordinate two hands at once!!
8:17 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
That's why the band continued to play as the Titanic sank -to keep everyone calm while they drowned
12:45 PM
Scout said…
Dive, I saw one of the dancers selling $10 watches almost every afternoon.

Peahen, there is coordinating the two hands, and then there is actual skillful playing. I'm afraid I miss too many notes to count myself as skillful.

Rich, Ha! I thought that exact thing. My little storm didn't compare to slamming into an iceberg, but I did think of the band playing Nearer My God to Thee.
12:56 PM
Mrs. G. said…
That was beautiful...I could have sworn I heard Elvis humming in the background. But wait! He's dead. NOT.
2:59 PM
Maria said…
I just got home from a funeral. I can't tell you how my spine relaxed as I sat and listened to this. Thank you.
3:30 PM
Anonymous said…
Very lovely, Robyn and schmaltz is goooooood!
5:37 AM
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