Art Garfunkel and his big hit: 'Bright Eyes'.
About fearless rabbits in 'Watership Down'.
A Blessed Lunar New Year To All Readers, Friends and Contributing Writers.
The Book
Personally, the book exudes a troubling, eerie calm that excites:
The animated movie was made as a result of the modern classic, heroic fantasy novel by British writer Richard Adams. It is the odyssey of a group of rabbits escaping the destruction of their warren (home) as they struggle to seek another. Evoking epic themes, Watership Down (1971), takes its name from the rabbit's destination, a hill in the north of Hampshire, England.
The Song by Art Garfunkel
Although it did poorly in the US, the song sold a million copies in the UK that year, making it the biggest selling single.
Richard Adams who wrote 'Watership Down'
It's not a children's book but for adults too.
Worth a read.
This post has been updated from 20 July, 2010.
The Writer
Richard George Adams, born 9 May 1920, was an English novelist who is best known as the author of Watership Down, Shardik, The Plague Dogs, The Girl In A Swing.
He studied modern history at university before serving in the British Army during World War II. Afterwards, he completed his studies, and then joined the British Civil Service.
In 1974, two years after Watership Down was published, Adams became a full-time author. He was awarded with a Carnegie Medal in 1972 and a Guardian Medal in 1973.
He passed away on 24 December, 2016 at 96.
Richard George Adams, born 9 May 1920, was an English novelist who is best known as the author of Watership Down, Shardik, The Plague Dogs, The Girl In A Swing.
He studied modern history at university before serving in the British Army during World War II. Afterwards, he completed his studies, and then joined the British Civil Service.
In 1974, two years after Watership Down was published, Adams became a full-time author. He was awarded with a Carnegie Medal in 1972 and a Guardian Medal in 1973.
He passed away on 24 December, 2016 at 96.
The Book
Personally, the book exudes a troubling, eerie calm that excites:
"Oh, Hazel! This is where it comes from! I know now - something very bad! Some terrible thing - coming closer and closer."
He began to whimper with fear. "What sort of thing - what do you mean? I thought you said there was no danger?"
He began to whimper with fear. "What sort of thing - what do you mean? I thought you said there was no danger?"
"I don't know what it is," answered Fiver wretchedly. "Oh, Hazel, look! The field! It's covered with blood!" (Watership Down - Puffin Books 1973 - P 19)
The animated movie was made as a result of the modern classic, heroic fantasy novel by British writer Richard Adams. It is the odyssey of a group of rabbits escaping the destruction of their warren (home) as they struggle to seek another. Evoking epic themes, Watership Down (1971), takes its name from the rabbit's destination, a hill in the north of Hampshire, England.
The Song by Art Garfunkel
The lyrics suggest similar feelings of the fear within:
There's a fog along the horizon
A strange glow in the sky
And nobody seems to know where it goes
And what does it mean?
Oh, is it a dream?
There's a high wind in the trees
A cold sound in the air
And nobody ever knows when you go
And where do you start?
Oh, into the dark
Is it a kind of a dream
Floating out on the tide
Following the river of death downstream
Oh, is it a dream?
Floating out on the tide
Following the river of death downstream
Oh, is it a dream?
There's a fog along the horizon
A strange glow in the sky
And nobody seems to know where it goes
And what does it mean?
Oh, is it a dream?
Bright eyes, burning like fire
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes
Is it a kind of a shadow
Reaching into the night
Wandering over the hills unseen
Or is it a dream?
Reaching into the night
Wandering over the hills unseen
Or is it a dream?
There's a high wind in the trees
A cold sound in the air
And nobody ever knows when you go
And where do you start?
Oh, into the dark
Bright eyes, burning like fire
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes
Songwriters
MIKE BATT
MIKE BATT
Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Song Discussions is protected by U.S. Patent 9401941. Other patents pending.
Bright Eyes - Art Garfunkel (Live)
YouTube Video by Bill Clarke.
Bright Eyes (image/record cover) was used in the soundtrack of the movie and considered the theme song of the film. The track also appears on Garfunkel's fourth studio album, Fate for Breakfast from 1979.
Although it did poorly in the US, the song sold a million copies in the UK that year, making it the biggest selling single.
One interpretation of the lyrics, when book and song combine, discusses the transition into death highlighted by Rabbit Hazel's close shave when he is shot and then years later when he departs and his body enters the spirit world. The journey of life punctuated by trouble and fear?
The book's been read time and again. It's recommended script-fare for all, including the older children. The song? Wonder why it didn't do too well in the US? Definitely not for the kids. I love both the book and the song, haven't seen the movie though.
Comments about the song
1. A beautiful song - it is probably the saddest song of all time - its about death and trying to understand it because none of us know anything about life or death, or why we are here and where we go or if we go anywhere.
2. 'Bright Eyes' was not written for 'Watership Down'. Mike Batt composed it about his father dying of cancer. 'Bright Eyes' refers to the strange look in his father's eyes brought on by pain killers. I suppose that the 'suddenly burn so pale' must be when he finally died. The song itself is one of my favorites. Very emotional.
3. Great song. Great movie. Great book. There's really not much you can say about a song like this one. When I was little, I used to cry at the part of the movie when they played it.
Much for discussion here. Anyone?
This posting is for Perry Nodelman
Children's Literature professor
University of Winnipeg, Man/Can.
1980's.
Book/Song Information: Wikipedia.
Original article: Andy Lim.
