On the 1965 performance of ‘The Carnival is Over’ by The Seekers, I cannot help but think of the Australian pride that the song holds. The music brought a refreshing tone to the audience, and the charm of the music was felt throughout the performance. Even in the present, it remains a timeless classic and is often played at weddings.
The song was written by Tom Springfield, who based the melody on the Russian folk song Stenka Razin. It has become a tradition for The Seekers to sing ‘The Carnival is Over’ at the end of sporting events in Australia. Unfortunately, the band could not perform this tradition at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games closing ceremony because of Judith Durham’s broken hip. However, she is remembered as having a ‘heavenly’ voice, clearly evident during the performance.
The couplet ‘But the joys of love are fleeting, For Pierrot and Columbine’ in the song has an interesting story behind it. It references two stock characters in the old Italian pantomime-like theatre known as del’arte. Pierrot is a sad clown in love with the beautiful Columbine, who breaks his heart by leaving him for Harlequin.
The comments on the YouTube video highlight the song and the singer’s impact on people. The audience was enamored with Judith’s voice, described as “heavenly” and “angelic.” Some comments expressed sadness at Judith’s passing, but her memory lives on through her beautiful music.
This performance happened during an exciting time in history. The year 1965 marked the beginning of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Yet, despite the turmoil, music was a unifying force for people. It was a time when people could come together and appreciate the beauty of music. The audience’s positive reaction to The Seekers’ performance is a testament to this.
I highly recommend watching this video and sharing it with friends. It showcases the beauty of music and its impact on people. It is a reminder of a simpler time when music was a unifying force that brought people together.
