M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS

www.mfordcreech.com

 


 

May This Easter Season

Usher In A Time Of

"HUMAN KINDNESS ... OVERFLOWING"

Toward All

May This Easter Season Usher in a Time of "Human Kindness, Overflowing"

"Human Kindness Is Overflowing"

is an enigmatic line from American singer-songwriter Randy Newman's song

"I Think It's Going to Rain Today".

Written in 1963 and set to an extremely haunting melody,

the lyrics are filled with visual imagery and great ambiguity.

These lyrics, offering vivid contrasts of despair and hope - or hopeful resolutions,

have been interpreted differently by everyone hearing them.

Pages are published online, debating their meaning.

Perhaps it's the time of year, but as I read, and re-read, the lines,

and heard them variously interpreted by recording artists

(beginning with Mr. Newman),

they repeatedly brought to mind,

the trauma and the triumph

we recall and celebrate

each "Easter".

Just as Good Friday, the song opens quite bleakly

with despondent thoughts expressed by a homeless man

(a frequent subject for Mr. Newman).

It continues with the following lines, repeating in three of the four verses :

"Human kindness is overflowing

And I think it's going to rain today".

No one seems to know exactly how these last two lines are intended,

and possibly not even Mr. Newman himself.

Or perhaps Mr. Newman has left that to each listener's response?

Are they "irony" (reflecting our human preoccupations, detachments and imperfections)?

Or are they hope?

In the last verse, this man's thoughts imply a quite different tone :

"Bright before me the signs implore me

To help the needy and show them the way

(followed once more by)

Human kindness is overflowing

And I think it's going to rain today"

Despite his situation and despair, he appears to retain a persistent hope

("bright before me"),

that hope for and belief in :

"Human Kindness" (though somewhat in remission these days)

holding that miraculous power to be life-giving - even in small ways.

So simple. Hand to hand.

And "Rain" (from above, as we know, and having many "associations") ...

... however throughout nature,

bringing renewal and rebirth to parched life :

the symbols and promise of Easter.

So let it rain!

and bring with it COMPASSION - and HOPE -  until

"HUMAN KINDNESS IS OVERFLOWING"

everywhere.

May is be so!

Happy Easter!

 


"THE EASTER BASKET" :

GEORGE II ROCOCO PIERCED SILVER BASKET, Henry Bailey, London, 1759, Marital Arms of Leche and Jones

GEORGE II ROCOCO PIERCED SILVER BASKET

Henry Bailey, London, 1759

A quite fine example of large size and heavy gauge silver,

pierced with floral and trellis-diapering

bordered by chased vertical rows of husks and centering

the Marital Arms of Leche and Jones

& the Motto : 

Spes non fracta ( 'My Hope Is Not Broken' ) (for Leche):

GEORGE II ROCOCO PIERCED SILVER BASKET, Henry Bailey, London, 1759, Marital Arms of Leche and Jones, Motto : My Hope Is Not Broken

all raised on a rocaille openwork apron and shell feet

13-7/8" Wide, 38.6 oz.

an applied plate verso :

"New York Racing Association to Lady Pitt, Mother Goose Stakes, Aqueduct, 1966"

 


If by some chance you are not familiar with

"I Think It's Going to Rain Today",

several excellent versions are posted on YouTube.

A few of my personal favorites are listed below,

with search details to paste into your browser.

The differences of interpretation are quite evident in each performance.

Viewer comments and opinions are also posted on each page.

Randy Newman, an early version :

( I Think It's Going To Rain Today, Randy Newman BBC Live 1971)

Barnstoneworth Town Channel)

Neil Diamond, with excellent accompanying video :

(Neil Diamond, I Think It's Going To Rain Today, Randy Newman, BBC Live 1971,

Barnstoneworth Town Channel)

Bette Midler, as performed in "Beaches":

(I Think It's Going to Rain Today, Randy Newman, Bette Midler, A clip from the film "Beaches".

WMG (on behalf of Atlantic Records; DivineMissM Channel)

Barbra Streisand, also with video :

(Barbra Streisand, "I Think It's Going To Rain Today", Lyric Video,

Barbra's album RELEASE ME, Collection of previously unreleased songs, 1963 through today;

Barbra Streisand Channel)

 


Footnotes :

"I Think It's Going to Rain Today", written 1963-4 by Randy Newman

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Inventory Photography : Millicent F. Creech

 


 

For  Our 2022 New & Incoming Catalog, Please Click Here :

(Link to Royal Early George III Silver Second Course Plate Above)

Parker and Wakelin, London, 1766

 


 

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© The concept and inventory images herein are our own productions, or by permission.

They appear here for your information and enjoyment.

We are delighted should you wish to reproduce part or all of our posts.

However, please do apply for permission,  & attribute properly.

 

May This Easter Bring "Human Kindness, Overflowing" ; M. Ford Creech Antiques

 

 

An Early George II Baluster Wine, c1730, 6.75" High Queen Anne / George I Heavy Baluster Small Wine Glass, c1715-20, 5.5" High A George I Heavy Baluster Two-Teared Wine, c1720, 6.25" High A George II Engraved Pan-Topped "Mercury Twist" Wine Glass, c1750, 6.25" High A George II Jacobite Drawn Trumpet Wine Glass, c1750, 6.5" High A George II Jacobite Waisted Bucket Bowl Wine Glass, c1750, 6.5" High