Category: A Christmas Carol

I'm Dreaming of the Right Christmas?

12/24/2024

I’ve been posting various Dickinson’s poems translated into corporate buzzwords, but not today! Since it's Christmas Eve, I’ll pause for a bit of Christmas spirit. I happened to stumble upon a site with a post from 2020 entitled “Christmas Spirit with Emily Dickinson," HERE.

Hmm…there are few oddities about the site, though.

The first lines quoted are taken from one of the three poems by Dickinson which include the word “Christmas” – though the lines are not quoted correctly (of course, they could come from some variation of the poem I’m not familiar with).

The site cites these lines:

And if my stocking hung too high,
Would it blur the Christmas glee,
That not a Santa Claus could reach
The altitude of me?

However, both the Johnson and Franklin editions of Dickinson’s poetry have the lines like this:

And would it blur the Christmas glee
My Stocking hang too high
For any Santa Claus to reach
The altitude of me –

Plus, the poem, “’Twas just this time, last year, I died,” was written from the perspective of one who had died – hence “The altitude of me.”

Following those four lines, the site includes two other poems by Dickinson, “The Savior must have been” and “Before the ice is in the pools” (another of Dickinson’s “Christmas” poems).

The really odd feature, though, is that the site concludes the post with a poem entitled “A Christmas Carol” (the first line is “Welcome, sweet Christmas, blest be the morn“) – but Dickinson did NOT write this poem.

But this gets even weirder. When I was trying to figure who did write the poem, I came across this site, HERE.

I tried to send a message to famouspoetsandpoems.com using their “Contact Us” link to let them know that Dickinson did NOT write that poem, but the feature malfunctioned.

Then, lo and behold, look what I found on the same site, HERE. It's the exact same poem, but this time it is attributed to William Topaz McGonagall -- and according to a list on Wikipedia, HERE, McGonagall did write the poem.

And get this -- here's some info I found about the poet: "William McGonagall was a Scottish poet and public performer. He gained notoriety as an extremely bad poet who exhibited no recognition of, or concern for, his peers' opinions of his work."

Hilarious!

Imma have to look into William McGonagall a bit further one of these days! For now, though, that's it for this Christmas Eve -- and just FYI: no post tomorrow. I'll be on the road. I'll be back with my next post on the 26th.

Business Letter

12/18/2024

A couple of days ago, I was checking to see if Emily Dickinson ever played any Beethoven on the piano. While there is no evidence that that might have been the case, I did stumble upon a site with this quote from Dickinson, “My business is to sing.”

Hmm…did she mean herself, her business was to sing? And by “sing,” did she mean “write poetry”?

Well, no, not really – but close.

The quote comes from a letter to a sick friend, and in it Dickinson stated,, “My business is to love,” and then she compared her “business” to that of a bird she’d encountered:

“I found a bird, this morning, down - down - on a little bush at the foot of the garden, and wherefore sing, I said, since nobody hears?

One sob in the throat, one flutter of my bosom - "My business is to sing" - and away she rose!”

LOL – I’m going venture into territory here that I generally despise – corporate jargon – because but all of Dickinson’s “my business” stuff reminded me of the “Hedgehog Concept” from the book “Good to Great,” a concept related to the intersection of three circles: 1) what you are deeply passionate about, 2) what you can be the best in the world at, and 3) what best drives your “economic or resource engine.”

The name “hedgehog effect” comes from an ancient Greek parable where a fox is said to know many things, while a hedgehog only knows one big thing - which is to curl up into a ball with its spikes out, representing the idea of focusing on a single, strong core competency rather than trying to do many things moderately well; essentially, the hedgehog's "one big thing" is its defense mechanism, which is highly effective when utilized fully.

I always thought it odd that in professional development seminars I attended, consultants and higher-ups would encourage us to focus on our “hedgehog skills,” and the idea was all based on an animal’s defense mechanism.

I mean, I like the idea of focusing on something you’re passionate about (a la Dickinson), but I cringe at the thought of thinking of one’s passion in terms of defense reactions.

LOL – I apologize for turning corporate, so let me instead highlight another, more literate, comparison – that of Jacob Marley’s rebuke of Ebenezer Scrooge’s outlook on life:

“The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

I think Dickinson would find that comparison a bit more to her liking – and as she said, her business was love.

BTW: The complete letter referenced above can be found HERE.

Three Christmas Spirits

12/24/2022

"You will be visited," said the clerk at the Package Store, "by three spirits. Three Christmas spirits."

"Expect the first on the eve of Christmas Eve, when the bell tolls seven -- and you're seated in your usual booth at the Mexican restaurant near your home."

"Expect the second, on the next night at the same hour when you dine at home. The third on Christmas morning. Look to see me no more; and look that for your own sake you remember what has passed between us!"
After he had said these words, I backed away and departed from the store.

DECEMBER 23RD:

I was visited by the first of three Christmas Spirits who are to call on me this weekend.

For Christmas Eve Eve, I was visited by 1800 Tequila in the form of a Margarita on the rocks with salt.

"Your welfare!” said the Spirit.

I expressed that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end.

The Spirit then said immediately: “Your reclamation, then. Take heed!”

I took heed forthwith.

DECEMBER 24TH:

I was visited by the second of three Christmas Spirits who are to call on me this weekend.

For Christmas Eve, I was visited by Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey in the form of an Apple Cider Smash

“You have never seen the like of me before?” he exclaimed. "I am the Spirit of Christmas Eve. Look upon me."

I looked up reverently.

"Tonight, if you have aught to teach me," I said, "let me profit by it," and I held it fast.

The Spirit was greatly pleased to find me in this mood and looked upon me with great favor (and great flavor too!)

DECEMBER 25TH:

I was visited this morning by the third of three Christmas Spirits who were to call on me this weekend. 'Twas in the form of a holiday Raspberry Rum Punch.

The Spirit sat merrily but silently as I approached. It seemed to embody the joy of the season -- but with a taste for mystery.

Now used to ghostly company by this time, I gazed upon the silent shape with intense anticipation.

"Am I in the presence of the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Rum?" I asked.

The libation remained silent.

"I have anticipated you more than any spectre I have encountered. And as I know your purpose is to do me good, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart."

It stood in silence.

"Lead on," I said. "Lead on."

ONE FINAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT:

And the angel said unto me, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tequila & limes, which shall be for margaritas (on the rocks with salt). For unto you is born this day in the city's best Tex-Mex restaurant a phoned-in order, which is Nachos with fresh-made guacamole. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Nachos wrapped in a to-go box lying near the host stand. And suddenly there was with the angel (& me) a multitude of heavenly thoughts praising the restaurant staff, and saying, Glory to You in the highest, And on earth peace and tasty Margaritas for all.

Do You Believe In Magic?

12/24/2017

From our 19th century historian, Eudora Dickinson:

The Man Who Invented Christmas is a 2017 film directed by Bharat Nalluri and written by Susan Coyne based on the book of the same name by Les Standiford about the time when Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol.

Of course, the relatives of Clement Clarke Moore might take issue with the title of the film, though, because A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, and Moore wrote his A Visit From St. Nicholas (also known as “T’was the Night Before Christmas”) in 1823 – so they might argue that is was Moore and not Dickens who invented Christmas.

The truth of the matter is that Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request) is “the man who invented Christmas.”

Both Clement Clarke Moore and Charles Dickens said that they were inspired to write their works because of Emmett Lee Dickinson’s poetry about Santa Claus, and in particular one poem called “He came as quiet as the frost” (below on the left). Dickinson’s poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem “She went as quiet as the dew” (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

He came as quiet as the frost
With his magical power.
And like the frost he did return
At the accustomed hour!

He dropt so softly down the shaft
To call on Christmas Eve;
Willful he left some gifts for all
It’s true – do you believe?

By Emily Dickinson:

She went as quiet as the dew
From a familiar flower.
Not like the dew did she return
At the accustomed hour!

She dropt as softly as a star
From out my summer's eve;
Less skillful than Leverrier
It's sorer to believe!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all -- good poetry!

This Is Going to Hurt Like the Dickens!

1/12/2017

From our 19th century historian Eudora Dickinson:

Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request) and Charles Dickens met several times in the late 1800s, and Dickens was admittedly an avid reader of Dickinson’s poems. Dickens, in fact, made it no secret that he conceived the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol after reading Dickinson’s now classic poem “The right to perish is their thought” (below on the left). Dickinson’s poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “The right to perish might be thought” (below on the right).

Of course, Emmett Lee Dickinson was quite a visionary, and the subjects and themes of much of his poetry ring true to this day. For example, the poem below, “The right to perish is their thought,” seems to depict the current despicable moves on the part of the GOP to deprive health insurance to millions of Americans.

“If the uninsured are going to die then they had better do it and decrease the surplus population,” growled Mitch McConnell as he took the first steps in the Senate to pull the plug on the health care needs of Americans.

“If I could work my will,” echoed Paul Ryan in the House, “every idiot who tweets #SaveACA should be boiled in his own chicken soup and buried with a hypodermic needle through his heart.”

Are their shameful actions straight out of Dickinson – or Dickens – or both?

Pictured at the right: Mitch McConnell is delighted at the passing of another American on whom he pulled the plug.

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

The right to perish is their thought
The undisputed Right –
Accept it, all the Uninsured
And don’t put up a fight
With outright glee the GOP –
Elects to pull the plug
By nature all mankind does pause
To hear their, “Bah! Humbug!”

By Emily Dickinson:

The right to perish might be thought
An undisputed right –
Attempt it, and the Universe
Upon the opposite
Will concentrate its officers –
You cannot even die
But nature and mankind must pause
To pay you scrutiny.

Another Opening, Another Show

12/10/2016

There are three more chances to see Charlottesville’s Black Box Players’ version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” this weekend: today at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The musical was written and directed by MaryAnne Thornton, and it includes original music and lyrics by Jim Asher the world’s leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request).

Have you ever read Dicken’s book? I always thought it amusing his opening lines that question our ancestors’ wisdom and the accuracy of the simile “dead as a doornail.” Here are the first two paragraphs:

Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Mind! I don't mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

Of course, how do you transfer the text of novel to the stage? And for a musical, how and when do you insert a song?

In the case of the Black Box Players’ version of Dickens’ classic, director MaryAnne Thornton interweaves narrators throughout the play to tell the story, and composer Jim Asher opened the show with a very suitable and haunting song in three-quarter time (with hints of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”) that states, “Once upon a time….” Here are the lyrics:

Once Upon A Time:

Once upon a time –
How many a'story’s begun with that line?
Once upon a time –
Four little words that say lives intertwine.
They signal the start of a story,
A drama’s about to unfold.
We then hear the grit and the glory
Till all of the story is told.

Once upon a time –
How often have writers made use of that line?
Once upon a time –
I say it tonight by design.

[MUSIC]

Once upon a time –
The details I hope to remember.
Once upon a time –
I’m sure that the month was December
My story unfolds in the season
Of goodwill on Earth to all men
When one greedy soul with good reason
Had time to see what might have been.

Once upon a time –
Yes, that old beginning does suit me just fine.
Once upon a time –
I say it tonight by design.

To read more about the Black Box Players' "A Christmas Carol," click on the post titles below:

THIS CHRISTMAS
WHAT'S CHRISTMAS
IT'S DECEMBER AGAIN

This Christmas

12/4/2016

Charlottesville’s Black Box Players’ production of the “A Christmas Carol” opened last night, and the cast did a wonderful job! Written and directed by MaryAnne Thornton, the musical includes original songs by Jim Asher, the world’s leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request). This is the second time Black Box Players has produced it. They also performed “A Christmas Carol” fourteen years ago.

In discussing one of the songs from the play, Asher said, “We needed a sad song for the Cratchit family in the future when Tiny Tim is no longer with them, and that is no easy task – writing a sad Christmas song.”

He remembered hearing an interview with composer Hugh Martin who echoed that sentiment in his description about writing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for “Meet Me in St. Louis.” When Martin presented Vincente Minnelli with the first draft, the director criticized it for being too depressing. Martin reworked some of the lyrics. For example, the lines "It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past" became "Let your heart be light / Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.”

In the case for “A Christmas Carol,” Asher ended up reusing a song he had recently written called “This Christmas.”

“I wrote ‘This Christmas’ for the Christmas just after 9-11,” said Asher. “The country was still distressed from that attack, and I thought ‘how do we even celebrate this year’?”

He pulled out that song, made a few minor adjustments, and now it’s in the “future scene” of “A Christmas Carol” when the Cratchit family tries to celebrate without Tiny Tim.

This Christmas

This Christmas
I’ll light a candle in the window
With a wish each night I see it glow
For the days I used to know.

This Christmas
I’ll hang a keepsake on the tree
A sentimental memory
Of the days that used to be.

I don’t know
Why I can’t seem to keep my spirits high.
I’m not sure
I could even explain if you asked me why.
All at once
I feel lonely deep down inside.
Oh, why can’t it be
Like it used to be
This Christmas.

This Christmas
I seem to shiver when the winds blow –
No longer cheered up by new fallen snow
As in days of long ago.

This Christmas
I’ll put up mistletoe and holly
Though I’m far from feeling jolly
For the days that used to be.

I don’t know
Why I can’t seem to keep my spirits high.
I’m not sure
I could even explain if you asked me why.
All at once
I feel lonely deep down inside.
Oh, why can’t it be
Like it used to be
This Christmas.

This Christmas
I’ll light a candle in the window
With a wish each night I see it glow
For the days I used to know.

This Christmas
I’ll hang a keepsake on the tree
A sentimental memory
Of the days that used to be.

What's Christmas?

12/3/2016

Charlottesville's Black Box Players' production of "A Christmas Carol" opens tonight at 7 p.m Directed by MaryAnne Thornton, the musical includes original music and lyrics by Jim Asher -- who also happens to be the world's leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).

Of course, Dickens' classic story centers on Ebeneeze Scrooge, the orginal crusader in the War on Christmas. His views of the holiday are expressed in his ill-tempered solo "What's Christmas" (below on the left). In "A Lucky Man" (below on the right), his late partner Jacob Marley informs Scrooge just how lucky he is since three spirits will allow him "the chance to see what was, what is, and what will be."

What's Christmas?
(Sung by Ebeneezer Scrooge)

What’s Christmas?
A poor excuse for missing work.
You buy new clothes but lose your shirt
Throwing money down the drain
It’s insane
How the world goes so berserk.

What’s Christmas?
It’s pitching pennies at the poor.
It’s greedy children wanting more
And they’re never satisfied
By and by
They are whining that they’re bored.

I find it most peculiar
Curious indeed--
Your festival of giving
Is really the season of greed!

What’s Christmas?
A waste of prized and precious time.
It’s foolishness made sublime--
But as for me, I will not be
A partner to this crime.

A Lucky Man
(Sung by Jacob Marley)

You’re a lucky man, Mr. Scrooge.
Yes a lucky man, it’s true--
For you will have the chance to see
What was,
What is,
And what will be.

You are fortunate, Mr. Scrooge.
So very fortunate, it’s true--
For men would sell their souls to see
What was,
What is,
And what will be.

When the clock in the hall strikes the hour
And the night is just as black as black can be
Expect a visit from three apparitions--
They come to show you what you cannot see.

As the night starts to fade into morning
And the ghostly spirits finally take their leave
Perhaps you’ll wake and be the same old miser
Perhaps you’ll change your view by what you’ve
seen.

You’re a lucky man, Mr. Scrooge.
Yes a lucky man, it’s true--
For you will have the chance to see
What was,
What is,
And what will be.

It's December Again

12/2/2016

Jim Asher, the world's leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request), is also a composer and lyricist, and the Black Box Players of Charlottesville, VA, opens their production of "A Christmas Carol" tomorrow night, a musical that features 18 original songs by Mr. Asher -- and since December has rolled around again, we thought we'd post the lyrics to his song "It's December Again" below.

This poingant ballad is sung by the young-adult Scrooge and his girlfreind Belle at Fezziwig's before they part ways.

Pictured at the right: Ebeneezer Scrooge is visted by the ghost of Jacob Marley in the Black Box Players' production of "A Christmas Carol."

IT’S DECEMBER AGAIN

It’s December again
And I wonder how much snow will fall this year
Or if the north wind will be gentle or severe –
It’s December again.

It’s December again
When the days are merely shadows of their past
The warmth from fading fires never seems to last –
It’s December again.

So let Christmas bring us together.
So let Christmas bring joy forever.
And let all mankind
At Christmas time
Find peace.

It’s December again
When the sun’s uncertain light is cold and dim
Indifferent to a brilliant past that might have been –
It’s December again.

It’s December again
When the silent frost keeps doors and windows closed
The callous fallen leaves have left our hearts exposed –
It’s December again.

So let Christmas bring us together.
So let Christmas bring joy forever.
And let all mankind
At Christmas time
Find peace.

This is my wish for all the world to hear –
That Christmas would bring love,
That Christmas would bring joy,
That Christmas would bring peace
All year.