I am furious. I don’t get overly passionate about too many things. But furious I am about the police brutality that killed George Floyd, whose murder has come to represent the visceral, violent, deathly intent behind racism. His is one story which is not an anomaly. A racism, an anti-black racism, that is not only… Read More Poetry: Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes
In the spirit of the good weather at the Red Shed, it was time for a summery poem! ‘Sumer is Icumen In’ is a mid-thirteenth century poem written in Middle English. It is sometimes known as the Cuckoo Song. This translation is by Bella Millett. Hope you’re keeping well. I’ve been busy-ish this last few… Read More Poetry: Sumer is Icumen In
This is a really beautiful piece of music originally recorded by the American group Bread in 1971. This version has lead vocals by Michael Connolly and backing from Patrick and Lorraine. It’s a lovely piece. Have a great day whenever you listen to this! Patrick xo
It’s a day, threatening to be an entire weekend, of high winds across Ireland. Ironically, it’s not that wet and not that cold, though hardly tropical in any sense! After a week of wading slowly through the treacle of wanting to write lots of good academic work, I’m glad it’s the weekend and soon time… Read More Poetry: Wind by Ted Hughes
In place of our recent run of music videos on a Sunday is something not too far away: the lyrics of ‘Fine & Mellow’ by Billie Holiday presented as a poem. It’s a piece full of heart, full of self-awareness and low in expectation of the fleeting nature of love. We’ve also got face masks,… Read More Poetry: Fine and Mellow by Billie Holiday
Look, nobody is saying this is a happy poem about a happy subject. Wilfred Owen is a First World War poet. He is also the writer who left a very visual written legacy of what it was like to be in the War and to witness your colleagues falling around you. In this poem, he… Read More Poetry: Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
Today’s Red Shed video steps away from the world of music and poetry for a moment to concentrate on my love of crafts and quilts. Those of you who also follow my blog over at ManQuilt.com will know all about that! I make anywhere from 5-10 quilts a year. This particular one, Lexie’s Quilt, has… Read More Quilting: Lexie’s Quilt
We recorded these songs with Éiscara maybe 7 or 8 years ago and each of them has a bit of a special place. None more so than ‘On We Go’. We had a laugh recording this and funnily enough, I think that spirit infuses the song with a bit of special magic. I hope you… Read More Music: On We Go by Éiscara
In today’s Red Shed episode, we have my very faded blue hair, garden things, no apologies to Americans for saying ‘courgettes’, ‘hhhherbs’, ‘oh-ray-gah-no’ and Donald Trump. Full parish newsletter (back to normal, or feck normal until vaccination?) plus a short poem from Mark Twain. Sure you couldn’t ask for more. Well, you could, but you’re… Read More Poetry: Warm Summer Sun by Mark Twain
Does he get any more pleasant? Is he begging you to value your youth before it too leaves you? Find out in today’s instalment of Shakespeare’s Sonnets… It’s a bank holiday here! Hurrah! Also high pollen and I’ve got mega allergies. Boo! Drugged to the eyeballs. Hope your drugs are working. Patrick xo
