leonardcohenforum.com

Andrew, I did actually learn Russian for a short time many years ago when at school, a school I might add that was run by The sisters of mercy! These coincidences are becoming quite spooky.

On another note(!) I tend to sing along while by myself in the car - there's no one to complain then. Ah, Nessun Dorma, did I mention going to see Pavarotti soon? He's appearing at the Welsh Eistedfod in Llangolen. I'll probably be singing that on the way home.

Thank you for confirming my musical roots, even though it does only run to a great sense of musical appreciation rather than any talent in my case.
Best wishes, margaret.

Dear Margaret,
Count your blessings! At least you have some direction regarding your genetic past. As for me, I am deeply perturbed that
"Geneticists have shown
that I am related
to Attila The Hun,
The Prophet Mohammed
and Leonard Cohen".

I've never heard Mohammed sing, nor have I read of Attila's prophecies, and as for that Cohen, how many people has he slaughtered recently?
I bear this triple genetic cross with as much humour as I can muster.
"Vincera" in your car,
DNArew.

DNArew

Have you pinned the genetic cross to your lapel?

JTS

Dear John The Shorts,
Re genetic crosses and other diversions with which you have attempted to block the onward march of science, the jeanetic truth prevails.
John: it's taken ages, but the truth will out....be prepared for ancestors.
1. Arthur. As a shadowy "historical" figure, King Arthur is first mentioned under the Latin name Artorius in the late 7th century Historia Britonum ( usually known by the name of Nennius, its 9th century editor). Arthur, as Dux Bellorum, not king, is said to have led the Britons against the Saxons in 12 great battles culminating in the great victory of Mons Badonicus, fought between 493 and 516. Arthurian romances are the stuff of history and mythology: a slate with a Latin inscription unearthed at Tintagel in 1998 was taken by some to prove Arthur's historicity. The wording was close enough to excite scholars, and I hope you can cope with the fact that , myths apart, you are chromosomically linked to Arthur (with a round table thrown in for good measure .)
2. Barabbas. At the trial of Jesus, the crowds were asked to choose between Him and Barabbas, under sentence of death for murder, as the prisoner to whom Pilate would grant amnesty in honour of the Passover. The crowd chose Barabbas (John 18;40), obliging Pilate to release a guilty man and condemn an innocent. It may or not be a coincidence, but the name "Barabbas" means "son of the father", a title of Jesus.

John, it's g-gnomically A&B ; at least you're not at the tail-end of the dictionary of life. Regard this as a start .
Yours, in unwritten legends and myths,
DNArew.

DNArew

Interesting conclusions but I still maintain that I am half Klingon, half Vogon (Hence the reason I don't submit any poetry myself)

JTS

Dear JTS,
Klingons are genetically indisposed to clinging on, hence their demise in the '70s. Regarding Vogons, let's face it; were they ever on? .
You may have science-fiction dreams, but science-fiction (sorry ) fact embraces you when you waken from your reverie. There's a world to be discovered about Arthur, and as for Barrabas, I saw Anthony Quinn playing him in the film of the same name : a great movie, all covered in sulphur from the slave-mines in Sicily.
Yours in movies, facts and fictions,
DNArew.

DNArew

I am not against being related to Arthur (who after all was Celtic) nor Barabas (even though he's had bad press in the New Testament) it's just that I don't believe the research, as yet, accurately takes into account non-human genomes (Just br greatful I'm not part hobbit, part Uruk-Hai )

JTS

I was recently to find that 99.4% of my most important DNA was identical to Pan Troglodytes.
Could someone pass me a banana?
Nyuk nyuk.

Leonard eats bananas too, Witty. Could there be a link there?

Lin, Darwin's missing link!?
Cheers,

Leonard refers to "the monkey and the plywood violin" in his excellent "First We Take Manhattan".
He also got up to a lot of monkey business during his thigh-wandering 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's...... !
There may be something in this, but I'll have to put it through the specially constructed g-spinner.
I don't want to slip on any banana skins!
DNArew.

This is a most historical moment! One by one all the threads and even the sections converge on the "banana issue". ("Hydra" section, "Muffins" thread, this one).

Probably some of us have banana jacks instead of chromosomes, and muffins instead of genes... (Did Josephine Baker bake banana muffins?)

DNArew, I'd suggest your g-spinner tries to check into every aspect of this. It doesn't seem to be a one-banana problem...

Tom

Dear Tom,
I am listening to Linda's recording of Leonard's magnificent Austin City Limits concert, and have just heard him sing about "the monkey and the plywood violin". Now it's "Tower of Song".
I will reply to you soon about the vital banana issue, but, in the meantime, can I return to "Genome"?
The last line was used in the acceptance speech by Rosemary Byrne when she recently became a member of the Scottish Parliament. Now Rosemary is from the Scottish Socialist Party and naturally found it difficult to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen, but did so under protest (in line with the other S.S.P. members who were elected).
She declared "We're all Jock Tamson's bairns. We are all born equal, and shouldn't owe allegiance to anyone".
That's what my Dad told me, all those years ago, when he sat me on his knee.
Right now, Leonard's singing "There ain't no cure for love". I guess I must type very slowly!
DNArew.