My sisters and I absolutely loved musicals when we were growing up. I know there are some who are not so keen on musicals and indeed, even I agree there are some rather dubious lyrics in some film scores. But still, I remember musicals in vivid detail far more so than I remember any dialogue. We were never silent observers. Every song would have us up singing and dancing around the living room.
Fandango’s word for the day “MELODY” brought back a film to my mind. It is so engrained on my mind that I do believe I could sing the entire two and a half hours to you. It was a film staring Richard Chamberlain and Gemma Craven named “The Slipper And The Rose” – another Cinderella story.
I have never seen the Disney version of Cinderella. My sisters and I grew up with this version firmly in our minds.
In this version, Cinderella is found by the prince who has been searching for the fair maiden who fits the exquisite glass slipper. All is merry and cheer and the Prince declares to all with jubilation his new bride will be the gorgeous Cinderella. However, the political aides of the King directly appeal to Cinderella that if the Prince goes ahead with marrying her, their small Kingdom will be attacked by mightier nations who will come with such great military forces so as to be sure to overwhelm them. They paint a gloomy picture of certain war on the horizon.
On contemplating the heavy price to pay for her own happiness resulting in violent war full of bloodshed and suffering, Cinderella leaves the palace under the cloak of darkness, only leaving a message for her beloved Prince suggesting she tried to love him but it was all fake and he is better off without her. I always remember her dulcet and mournful tones singing:
“Don’t let him know, how much I love him
Why I must go, so far away
For if he knew, why I must leave him
No power on earth could make him stay“
The following scenes show a marriage being arranged for the Prince to a princess from a mighty neighbouring nation. Then we see Cinderella who is now hidden away, beyond reach of the Prince. She sings a song I still know word for word and sometimes sing to myself while I am washing the dishes.
It’s a sweet song, it sometimes brings a tear to my eye. I think it’s especially on my mind at the moment because sometimes, circumstances seem to force you to make hard decisions where you have to put what is right and the welfare of others ahead of your own happiness. They are decisions that may haunt you for years to come.
Every day I breathe I think I will be mourning my gorgeous Goldfinch – but I know it is the right decision.
“Fernando’s word for the day….” Fernando? Ha! Well, it starts with an “F” and it has three syllables, so there’s that. 😉
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Oh no!!!! I am so sorry…
…I was speed typing while I was on my tea-break at work! Oh deary!
I just noticed I gave The Haunted Wordsmith Teresa an entirely different surname in a post about her – I told everyone her name is Teresa Gibbs instead of Teresa Grabs. What is the matter with me?
It must be the traumatic images of nude skiers I have been dealing with these last couple of weeks. They have scrambled my brain!
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No worries. It happens and images of nude skiers have been known to muddle the mind.
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Fernando!…
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Nice melody! 😉
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such a beautiful yet mournful melody i can see why you get teary-eyed listening
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🙂 I couldn’t have put it better – beautiful but mournful it certainly is!
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This hit home: “circumstances seem to force you to make hard decisions where you have to put what is right and the welfare of others ahead of your own happiness. They are decisions that may haunt you for years to come.”
I have this memory of a song I’ve never been able to identify but I think with all that’s in its a real song. Maybe I’m just off on the lyrics. But it says, “It takes a greater love, to walk away.”
I believe that.
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Sometimes that really is the case, even though it is hard.
Your comment is so beautiful!
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My heart hurts reading this.
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Aaaaaw Jay-lyn…
My heart is hurting too. Goldfinch is in Germany this weekend. But it’s two weeks until he goes! I can’t think about it without tears developing in my eyes.
But I have survived heart ache before and have to be ready for it now.
I am going to stock up my cupboards with dark chocolate and make sure my I have lots of plans with friends to get me through the rest of the winter. Come spring, I will be able to feel positive again.
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You have this girl. 😊
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I must find this one to watch. Loved your melodious post.
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Sadje I hope you can find “The Slipper And The Rose”…
…it is fun and charming, packed with songs, and a great version of Cinderella.
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I am going to look for it. Thanks
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Um, ok what did I miss regarding goldfinch???? I enjoy several musicals as well.
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Well, Goldfinch is moving back to Australia in two weeks time.
But I have known that for some time. It’s just that it is suddenly so close and so real!
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Ah, I see. You’d mentioned he was going back, but I wondered if it were something else and he’d left early. Delighted to hear that is not the case, although I surely understand where your coming from!
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