The concert Sunday afternoon in the museum supporting the work of Women's Refuge has been described as being my swansong. I wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or not so I looked it up.
Ancient legend had it that swans, though mute all their lives sing just before they die and the term swansong was used to describe a final gesture or performance given before dying or retirement. My first thought was that seemed to be a bit tough on both the swans and on me. I have no intention of passing away to the great gig in the sky anytime soon.
A little study showed that the whole silent swan thing is myth. Even the type known as the Mute Swan do make noises and definitely do not sing just before expiring. On Sunday, I will be doing that. Along with a bunch of talented musicians I will sing and play for the last time in Whanganui before making a move across the Tasman to Sydney.
It is not really a swansong as I will continue to write songs, sing, play guitar and remain motivated by the creative muse wherever I am. Bring your voices tomorrow afternoon and join us.
It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm not sure how that equation was arrived at? Was it a thousand little words for a little picture or lots of long ones for a larger image? The other important question is where do words go when nobody is using them anymore? Does it mean they have been left, like orphans on the doorstep of language, lost to generations of writers, poets, actors, singers and all-round prattlers?
