Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars




(This is the first time I've heard this group and after seeking out the rest of their work, found that this was the only one I loved. While not agreeing with the premise there is no redemption or salvation for whatever the subject did for money, I understand guilt, and it weighing so heavy in a moment that it feels like there is no going back. Strength of spirit says "Yes" anyway, and accepts consequences as the lifeblood of change. I've watched this a hundred times, still can't make out what is written on his arm. Anyone?)


♫I'm a dead man walking here
But that's the least of all my fears
Ooh, underneath the water

It's not Alabama clay
That gives my trembling hands away
Please forgive me father

Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul

Did that full moon force my hand?
Or that un marked hundred grand?
Ooh, underneath the water
Please forgive me father.♫

8 comments:

  1. You sure do know how to challenge a person... It took a bit of doing, hindered by the fact that it was greek I flunked in highschool, not latin.

    So from the fragments I identified on the left arm at 3.12 in the vid... the left arm bears the following:

    "Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium
    meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia
    peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas
    promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te,"

    I'd suppose that the other arm has the rest of the text which would be:
    "summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen."

    You can get a translation of it on wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Contrition#Latin_text)

    Cheers! : j

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  2. Alesa - I NEVER thought anyone would be able to see that, much less figure out what it was. Thank you! For anyone else who might give a rats ass...the translation:

    "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life."

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  3. You're very welcome! It was a fun puzzle. : j

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  4. no Annie, i had not seen this particular one (thanks for the heads up) although i've seen and loved several of their other clips ... one in particular, a cover of Billie Jean is really super (playful) - i know, this is a serious post but i can't help but lighten the tone (as is my nature) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNqe7m5kK4 ... :)

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  5. Noxy - That was cute! I have the David Cook version of Billie Jean in that same slow vibe, which I love. It was only the play of these two Civil War singers off each other that made it light. I'm going to have to listen to some more of their stuff. Sure love the videos!

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  6. tY for the intro. to this group.
    'did the full moon force my hand'
    oh yeah, it did.

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  7. Ophelia - You are most welcome. Can you believe I heard this on VH1? It's mostly crap!

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  8. Like that,neat

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