Rainy Night of the Soul
I could have been someone – Well, so could anyone.
[Vol. 2 Issue #56]
Friday
It was a cold and cloudy Friday, reflections of a gentle soul bursting with struggle. Shane MacGowan seemed to absorb the pain of those around him in life. He sang the songs of our deepest truth to the rest of us. May the grace you fell from in life open up it’s arms and embrace you in death.
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Big Stories
Big Story
Soul Asylum Seeker
Genuine
Shane MacGowan, the lead singer of the Irish band The Pogues, recently passed away. The tributes have been pouring in, and I hesitate every time I think about a highlight; even in memorial, I want to bring a unique angle to each story and report. Now that Nick Cave has followed up and written a piece about his friend and performed at his funeral, I have the basis for a few thoughts.
Like a comeback story, a damaged person who tries to put themselves back together and fails repeatedly until the last moment of life has a sweet and sorrowful feel to my soul. MacGowen and The Pogues embraced Ireland and the sound of an alt-rock band from the 80s with as much Irish Folk as Punk Rock in a one-of-a-kind way.
Exhaustion of Struggle
MacGowan’s demons and substance abuse were widely known and reported, but his kindness and genuine expression were also public knowledge and reported on with the same frequency. If you wonder who MacGowan influenced, Google him, and you will see who shows up at his birthday parties!
A person who embodies The Dark Night of The Soul and had to sing to keep the demons at bay has finally surrendered to struggle. MacGowan’s life, like his song, was less a fall from grace and more born from the fall and a lifetime spent trying to crawl out.
R.I.P. Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was born December 25th, 1957, and died November 30th, 2023.
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Lights & Sounds
Sound Checks
The A Singer’s Tribute
Nick Cave performs at Shane MacGowan’s funeral in a way only a soulful singer can.
Today’s Tune
Merry Christmas Shane - Fairytale of New York - The Pogues.
Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.
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Words from Gen X
Words from Gen X in age or spirit.
“May you be at the gates of heaven an hour before the devil knows you’re dead!” - Irish Proverb
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🤘We are here every day, and every minute you spend with us sends ripples of gratitude through our souls! 🤘
With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.
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