May This Easter Season
Usher In A Time Of
"HUMAN KINDNESS ... OVERFLOWING"
Toward All
"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
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):
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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