"...there are no words to the song of the ocean, but the message is and always has been simple: not to forget where we came from. The melody is locked in the water that composes much of what we are. Most humans tend to ignore the song, but not all. You are one of the lucky ones who hold the melody in your heart. But be warned: it is a wandering song carried by the winds and the currents." — Jimmy Buffett, "A Salty Piece of Land"
"A rich day—brimming with scenery and history.
Some people hear music in nature. It's easy to hear it in whale songs and bird songs. It's harder to hear it in those things we consider noise. Aaron Copeland heard it it traffic noise.
Q: Why do bagpipers walk while they play?
It seems, the definition of noise is subjective.
And, it seems the definition of music is subjective.
"A painting was a dull sword with which to fight a way, and a painter himself could be a hypocrite. But music was a numbing, soothing poison, which—dripped into the general water supply—contaminated everyone." — Andromeda Romano-Lax, "The Spanish Bow"
But, for those who hear music in the world around them, there is a constant source of inspiration.
"Maybe it's because music is about as physical as it gets: your essential rhythm is your heartbeat; your essential sound, the breath. We're walking temples of noise, and when you add tender hearts to this mix, it somehow lets us meet in places we couldn't get to any other way." — Anne Lamott, "Traveling Mercies"
And music seems to be a constant in our lives, even while we're going about our daily lives.
It's also a common language that can unite people.
Differing perceptions of noise can divide them.
But a song, a really good song, can cross musical genres and survive even the worst abuse.
"The mother ... suddenly and without warning attacked the unsuspecting piano and took off from there, one chubby hand banging out the rhythm while the other banged out something else. The small upright seemed to be jumping up and down, fighting for its life, as she pumped away at the foot pedals." — Fanny Flagg, "Standing in the Rainbow"
And, a good song can improve our health, help us shape our lives and our world, survive the bad times, celebrate the good times, and help us become the people we want to be.
"A little night music can help older adults sleep better and longer.
"In a study of men and women ages 60 to 83, those who listened to soft, soothing music for 45 minutes at bedtime reported that it took them less time to fall asleep, and that their sleep was sounder than before.
"Brain dead at work? Throw on your headphones and hit the pavement.
"...the Chemehuevi Indians ... lived in the hard, harsh heart of the Mojave Desert. A boy came of age only when he memorized the song of his clan, which took years to learn and days to sing. The songs contained a verbal map of the clan's claimed territory, with references to every water hole, seasonal bloom and haunt of the bighorn sheep. Anyone passing through that clan's territory would hire a guide who knew the song and so could find the hidden water.
"I longed to learn such a song.
So, pick up an instrument and play. Hold your head high and sing.