I've always liked this song but found the lyrics difficult to sing.
I have always wanted to change the lyrics so that I can sing it.
Now I don't have to because the song actually means more than meets the eye.
BUT... I think I will still amend it so that it sounds a little "cleaner".
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St Cecilia
~ by Paul Simon
~ Amended Lyrics
{scroll down for original lyrics}
[Chorus]
St Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, St Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
[repeat Chorus]
Come on home
[Verse 1]
Making music in the afternoon with St Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (about love)
I got up to wash my face {being distracted}
When I come back to bed {back to focus}
Someone's taken my place {someone else's tune; plagiarism}
[repeat Chorus]
Come on home
[Music Interlude]
Po-Po-Po-Po-Po... pick it up...
[Ending]
Jubilation,
She loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I laughing, [Ending]
[Final Ending]
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh...
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Cecilia ~ by Paul Simon ~ interpretation of the Lyrics of this song by Wikipedia
The songwriter suggests that the "Cecilia" of the title refers to St. Cecilia, patron saint of music [1] in the Catholic tradition, and thus the song might refer to the frustration of fleeting inspiration in songwriting, the vagaries of musical fame or in a wider sense the absurdity of pop culture. The song is generally interpreted as a lament over a capricious lover who causes both anguish and jubilation to the singer. St. Cecilia is mentioned in another Paul Simon song, "The Coast" (from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints): "A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia."
Paul Simon, of Simon and Garfunkel fame, wrote the song "The Coast" which references Saint Cecilia when a family of musicians taking refuge in the Church of St. Cecilia.[8] There is also evidence that another of Paul Simon's songs was also in her honor, as "Cecilia" can be interpreted to refer to her and the frustration of song writing.[9]
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Note: Lyrics are just below this video.
YouTube Video
The song's recording is also quite funny. The Song's foundation was a percussion track in the house Paul was renting on Blue Jay Way in LA. Paul and Art slapped their thights, Eddie Simon thumped a piano bench and a friend strummed a guitar with its strings slackened to the point of atonailty. Roy Halee did the rest.
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Cecilia
~ by Paul Simon
~ Original Lyrics
[Chorus]
Celia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
[repeat Chorus]
Come on home
[Verse 1]
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed
Someone's taken my place
[repeat Chorus]
Come on home
[Music Interlude]
Po-Po-Po-Po-Po... pick it up...
[Ending]
Jubilation,
She loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I laughing, [Ending]
[Final Ending]
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh...
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After this jump... more about Saint Cecilia and Music written for her... here're excerpts...
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Cecilia (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The songwriter suggests that the "Cecilia" of the title refers to St. Cecilia, patron saint of music [1] in the Catholic tradition, and thus the song might refer to the frustration of fleeting inspiration in songwriting, the vagaries of musical fame or in a wider sense the absurdity of pop culture. The song is generally interpreted as a lament over a capricious lover who causes both anguish and jubilation to the singer. St. Cecilia is mentioned in another Paul Simon song, "The Coast" (from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints): "A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia."
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Saint Cecilia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patroness of musicians
Cecilia's musical fame rests on a passing notice in her legend that she was beheaded and at the same time praised God, singing to Him, as she lay dying a martyr's death. She is frequently depicted playing an organ or other musical instrument. Musical societies and conservatories frequently have been named for St. Cecilia.
Use in contemporary music
The New York post-hardcore band Polar Bear Club refer to St. Cecilia in their song "Song To Persona". David Byrne and Brian Eno's song, The River, on the album, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today, also refers to St. Cecilia's Day.
Paul Simon, of Simon and Garfunkel fame, wrote the song "The Coast" which references her when a family of musicians taking refuge in the Church of St. Cecilia.[8] There is also evidence that another of Paul Simon's songs was also in her honor, as "Cecilia" can be interpreted to refer to her and the frustration of song writing.[9]
English lyrics were written for a Swedish popular song "Min soldat" and released as "The Shrine of Saint Cecilia". It was recorded by a number of American close harmony and doo-wop groups during the 20th century like Willie Winfield and the Harp-Tones. Others were the Bon Aires and the Andrew sisters. The song was first released in the U.S. in 1941. Stalk-Forrest group (an early incarnation of Blue Oyster Cult) recorded a song called "St. Cecilia" on their album that was scrapped by Elektra records. The album finally saw a limited release in 2003 through Rhino Handmade under the title St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings. Then in 2007 Radioactive Records released the album (on cd and vinyl) as St. Cecilia: The California Album – Remastered.
Use in contemporary poetry
A poem by Australian poet A.D.Hope (1907–2000) "Moschus Moschiferus" is sub-titled 'A Song for St Cecilia's Day'. The poem is of 12 stanzas and was written in the 1960s.
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