My mother was a farm wife and a prodigious canner. She canned fruit and vegetables from the garden, even occasionally meat. But the best thing that she canned, in my opinion, was blackberry jam. Even as I type those words my mouth waters! Of course, before she could make that jam, somebody had to pick the blackberries. And that somebody was quite often named Dorothy. I think Seamus Heaney might have spent some time among the briars plucking those delicious black fruits as well, so he would have known that "Once off the bush the fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour." They don't keep; you have to get that jam made in a hurry! Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot. You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust ...
This is probably my favorite Bob Dylan song. I'll use any excuse to play it. This happens to be a good one!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely one of my favorites, but then, I have always been my mother's daughter when it comes to music...and my father's, too, I suppose. :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually first heard this on the series finale of Parenthood, and I am not ashamed to say that it made me cry. It is a lovely cover--so emotive and with such beautiful voices! It's a good choice.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Well, it does fit him, doesn't it?
DeleteHappy birthday to your hubby, Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carmen. I'll pass along your good wishes.
DeleteThat's a wonderful cover! Love it!
ReplyDeleteRhiannon Giddens has such a beautiful voice.
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