Blaise Pascal, PenseĆ© 347: “Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature; but he is a thinking reed. The entire universe need not arm itself to crush him. A vapor, a drop of water suffices to kill him. But, if the universe were to crush him, man would still be more noble than that which killed him, because he knows that he dies and the advantage which the universe has over him; the universe knows nothing of this. All our dignity consists, then, in thought. By it we must elevate ourselves, and not by space and time which we cannot fill. Let us endeavor, then, to think well; this is the principle of morality.”

Saturday, March 17, 2012

St. Patrick's Day Finale: Danny Boy from "Brassed Off"

Although considered something of an Irish anthem, the words for "Danny Boy" were penned by English barrister Fred Weatherly, who later adapted them to the Irish tune, "Londonderry Air."


Frederic Weatherly, 1848 to 1929

The tear in the eye moment from Brassed Off.  Danny Ormondroyd (Pete Postlethwaite), leader of the Grimley Colliery Brass band is dying of black lung. One night, the band comes to play for him:


1 comment:

  1. Well, we both went sentimental and posted Danny Boy on the final day.
    Odd that the most famous Irish Song of all isn't even Irish!

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