PAUL SIMON: American Tune for Til Further Notice 03/19/2020 & AMERICAN TUNE by Paul Simon 5 SEP 1974

A GIFT OF LOVE FOR AMERICA FROM PAUL SIMON.  Thank you for a few minutes of peace, for happy memories of listening to and singing with Simon & Garfunkel with family and friends, God bless you and all of us in these dificult times.

American Tune for Til Further Notice 03/19/2020

Paul Simon

American Tune Til Further Notice 03/19/2020 @Luck Reunion

AMERICAN TUNE by Paul Simon/September 5, 1974

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ANNE L SAID: "I have only discovered 'an American Tune' in the past 2 or 3 years - about time of original article. It certainly has powerful lyrics that don't seem to have been well thought of or much noticed in the '70s, judging from some reviews. But as a singer of traditional, medieval, Renaissance & Baroque music the tune catches at me ironically in view of Simon's title. Not only did he crib it from J.S. Bach (I presume) but Bach cribbed it from Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612). It's from his 1601 'Lustgarten, Deutsche Lieder zu vier, fuenf, sechs und acht Stimmen' (Pleasure Garden, German Songs for 4,5,6 & 8 voices) & appears there as a rueful little lovesong of at least 3 verses called 'Mein G'mueth ist mir verwirret' (My mind is confused). There the tune isn't solemn at all but one of the bouncy, syncopated dances popular then. Who knows? As our knowledge of truly old music deepens it wouldn't be surprising to find that Hassler borrowed an even older dance. So Simon also knows a good tune when he hears one. Understanding a tune's past uses deepens our appreciation of its present & this one's proved its universal staying power."