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May 21, 2007 | 10:08 AM

#11

Grannyrod

Registered User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 9,027

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From: Bowie

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper,May 21 2007, 12:03 PM

I can't believe that you didn't either. I didn't think anyone could've missed it.

But she was only about 10 years old, dear!

May 21, 2007 | 10:12 AM

#12

Legal Bill

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 34,130

Likes: 123

From: Canton, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyrod,May 21 2007, 12:56 PM

Of course some of us remember it. Wasn't it set to music. I'm trying to remember the tune but can't.

Sort of. There was a recording that featured some guy who sounded like Walter Cronkite reading the poem and about every four lines the chorus would sing "you are a child of the Universe..."

May 21, 2007 | 10:17 AM

#13

ralper

Thread Starter

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 33,155

Likes: 1,638

From: Randolph, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legal Bill,May 21 2007, 01:12 PM

Sort of. There was a recording that featured some guy who sounded like Walter Cronkite reading the poem and about every four lines the chorus would sing "you are a child of the Universe..."

That's absolutely right. I can hear it in my head, but I can't remember who did it.

May 21, 2007 | 10:22 AM

#14

ralper

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Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 33,155

Likes: 1,638

From: Randolph, NJ

According to snopes.com the poem was recorded by Les Crane.

The spoken version of Desiderata earned a Grammy award for Les Crane in 1971. Like many others, he'd seen the words on a poster and mistakenly thought them to be in the public domain.

Story here

http://www.snopes.com/language/document/desidera.htm

May 21, 2007 | 10:33 AM

#15

Grannyrod

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Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 9,027

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From: Bowie

Got the story, now I'm trying to find a recording of Crane's version. I thought it was in the 60's too. Seems it was early 70's instead. Time flew.

May 21, 2007 | 10:39 AM

#16

ralper

Thread Starter

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 33,155

Likes: 1,638

From: Randolph, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyrod,May 21 2007, 01:33 PM

Got the story, now I'm trying to find a recording of Crane's version. I thought it was in the 60's too. Seems it was early 70's instead. Time flew.

They have them at Amazon.com. Go to Amazon and do a search for "Desiderata". You'll see the Les Crane version. I think it sells for $15.98.

May 21, 2007 | 10:42 AM

#17

Kyras

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 45,828

Likes: 5,367

From: Loveland, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralper,May 21 2007, 11:03 AM

Patty,

Wow. It was so popular that I was amazed that Liz had never heard of it. I can't believe that you didn't either. I didn't think anyone could've missed it.

The poem appeared everywhere, on posters, bookmarks, everywhere. It was probably as popular as the smilie face (that Wal-mart uses for it's sales).

Granny is close. In 1971 I was 13. The Yellow Smilie face I do remember, though. Might have had a t-shirt with it on the front.