Dress rehearsal rag.

[ryhme55]

Hi all,

This is such a good song, with Leonard's bitter and sweet voice and the use of children in the verse, very clever!, but I have always wondered about the title and the last lines of the song
(and then the cameras pan, the stand in stunt man, ). I think i understand but if anyone know for sure , i would be grateful.

Thanks.

[John Etherington]

Hi rhyme55,

I've always taken this to be a twist at the end. The focus suddenly shifts, so that was has been outlined with such serious intent is seen from a different perspective. In this case, that of a cameraman on a film set, who is watching someone act out the dangerous role of the central character. This suggests that the man in the song does not actually commit suicide, but is just rehearsing for something that he may or may not do. Having said that, the song grinds to a halt with such a sense of finality, that you wonder whether he may have slashed his wrists after all. I remember Leonard once saying something to the effect that the "real suicide cases" were the ones who aspired to such a thing but did not actually carry out the act.

All the best, John E

[blonde madonna]

It's always been one of my favourite songs rhyme55. Not one I can listen to very much (like when others are around). It recreates what it feels like to be so depressed that you seriously think about suicide. There is the bitter self-hatred, the distant memory of what it was like to be happier and the ruminating and arguing with himself over that razer while he is making himself shave. The children and the periodic lightness of tone lift it from being too painful to listen to, it is masterful and there are so many lines I love. On bad days I think the ending is about him chickening out - this time. On good days I think the little glimmer of hope (the children singing) has won out in the end and he will survive.

[ryhme55]

Thanks to you both for your interesting thoughts.

How about the title, what is your understanding of that?

Thanks.

[Manna]

A dress rehearsal is the last time you're going to practice something before the real performance. You put on your costume and do everything just the way you would in the real event, except that you don't have your audience.

As for rag...
There are lots of things that come to mind, but I'm not sure what Leonard's intent was. Getting past the obvious small bit of cloth used for cleaning, a rag is a slang term for lots of things. I know a handful tunes with names like Black Cat Rag or Lexington Rag, but I don't think ragtime really fits here, not being much of a raggy tune. A rag is a junky little newspaper, so that could have some meaning here.

A rag is also a prank, and while I like that best for how it fits with this, that usage is a little outdated.

[blonde madonna]

Hi Manna
Don't you love these words of Leonard's that have you going around in circles?
It would be his ironic style to name it a rag (as in ragtime) when it has quite the opposite of its fast beat (that makes you want to dance ).
I hadn't thought of the slanderous mag type rag though, interesting.

[Davido]

I agree totally about the multiple meanings in Leonard's words,which is one of the great attractions of his writings.But, as regards this song, some thoughts occur:
the term 'rag' (particularly in Britain) can mean a tease,taunt or joke. Yes, it is somewhat outdated, but the song was written in the 60's; 'Leonard lived in London for a while; the first known live performance of the song was at the BBC (John Peel session) in 1968.There is the tradition of student 'rag week' in this country,which I know was very popular in the 60s.
I also recall reading, a long time ago, that Leonard used to study his own face in the mirror for hours on end, almost daily.This has been brought back to mind recently by the current exhibition/sale of his artworks-including daily self-portraits!
By his own admission, he has taken prescribed anti-depressants for long periods in his life.
one of his requirements of John Hammond during recording was a mirror,because Leonard used to practice songs this way.
Irving Layton described Leonard as a 'Narcissist who hates himself.'
These are just some thoughts that have come to mind from reading this thread!

[John Etherington]

Hi Davido,

Spot on! I've always thought of Leonard's "rag" in that context, and the concept of it being a tease or taunt makes perfect sense.

All the best, John E

[hydriot]

Interesting. It never crossed my mind that it was other than a student rag, that is to say a stunt or a prank. Rag Week at my university in the seventies was keenly looked forward to every year. Because you were raising money for charity, the authorities, both university and police, turned a blind eye to some quite outrageous behaviour (e.g. the five-legged beer race, where teams of four tied together at the ankles would race from pub to pub downing a pint at each, trying not to collapse in an ungainly heap too often!). Kidnapping senior academic staff and then ransoming them for charity was another favourite. The police even let the students set up road-blocks and charge motorists a toll! One year, I got in touch with my feminine side and helped knit a scarf in the colours of the local football team long enough to go all the way round their ground ... while sitting in a shop window in the high street. Happy days.