Sunday, May 16, 2010

Israel Kamakawio'ole's Medley of Hope and Vision

I first heard the song "Over the Rainbow" when I was a small boy over half a century ago. My father had just left to serve in Korea, and I was filled with unfamiliar emotions. I was lying in bed when I heard the song playing on the television, and I was surprised when I was moved to tears. I think I needed to believe something hopeful could be somewhere over the rainbow. Now, of course, when I hear this wonderful medley, the same emotional associations come back. That's how the brain works, and that's how I react. Maybe that's why I like this medley so much.



By the way, for those of you who don't know, Israel Kamakawio'ole was a huge celebrity on the islands until his death 12 years ago...

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