Preface: this wonderful article written by the late American radio commentator Gabriel Heatter, revered for his morale-boosting rhetoric during some of the nation's darkest hours in the depths of Word War II. This article appeared in (and was likely written for) the 1943 Ringling-Barnum program magazine -- SD."We have heard a good deal about that word MORALE and its importance to us all. Put me down for the circus as the greatest morale tonic of all. Give me the circus to make me feel young again in spirit. Give me the circus and the laughter of children and the whole parade of wonders to make me realize life is good to live and worth living too
Give me the greatest show on earth — Lord how we need it now as never before. Give me a few hours to invite my soul in this wonder world and fine blessed forgetfulness for a few hours away from all the wear and tear and care of a world outside.
Give me a seat near the circus and let me hear stirring fanfare and let the great parade of wonders begin — and I am young again in heart and spirit. Give me a boy and girl close enough to share it with and to hear all the exclamations of wonder, bewilderment, surprise, and let the laughter ring out.
For the circus is a part of everything we mean by morale – a part of everything we mean by America. As much as Yellowstone or Pikes Peak or Yankee Doodle. Let me walk by the side shows and gaze in wonder on all the sights which remain unforgettably in one’s heart and memory. Give me all this and I’ll come out refreshed, happy, keen in spirit, and keen to come back again and again.
Why you could no more speak of America without a circus than America without baseball or football. Let me hear that circus band and feel the tingle and the warmth racing into my heart as it always does — and let me see all the eager, happy faces around me. Lord, how we need it now – as never before.
Yes, and give me the clowns and all their falls and tumbles and let me drink in all their generous and wholesome fun. That’s the word — fun — for man, woman, boy or girl for we need our share of it now. And the place to find it is in the circus — the greatest show in all the world. And here I’ll let myself go, and here I’ll shake off my cares for a few blessed hours, and here I’ll find all the reminders.
Life is good to live when there is a circus in town. So — on with the show. The circus has come and I and tens of millions will know there is a priceless bit of heaven-sent joy waiting for us all."
Thank you, Gabriel Heatter, and Thank you, Circus Vargas.
12/13/09
6 comments:
In 40 years, I wonder what images will be evoked by the word "circus" for the kids being born in these times. I know of a lot of kids who have never been to a circus.
Lee
yes, i too wonder. so different from what it was then, such that i feel lucky to have been around this long! we once, i keep telling myself to keep things in perspective, watched rough spectacles at the roman coliseum.
Hope you'll check out my post for this Wednesday. I talk about my mother and her career as a dancer and later a juggler.
By the way----
check out the VBT Writers on the Move blog today. I won an opportunity to be profiled on their site and it appears today:
http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/2009/12/arlee-bird-and-desert-place.html
You might want to pass this on to any others who you think might be interested. Eventually I will get around to talking more about some of my show biz experiences
Lee
David,
Mr. Heatter's words ring so beautifully true.
Thanks for posting that.
Jack
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, Gabriel Heatter, a big AMEN to all you said. You make my heart beat louder, and with such excitement. Maybe we needed these words back in the "40's", but we truly need them again today. Give us reason to JUST DREAM AND BE "KIDS" AGAIN. Let us not be so serious about everything that we forget to simply LOVE LIFE AND ALL THE WONDERS AND EXCITEMENT IT HAS TO OFFER. PLEASE, ALL OF US, GO BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD, AND ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS OF LIFE. And, yes, the circus is one of those simple, exciting, awesome pleasures of life. Again, thank you Gabriel Heatter. You wrote it PERFECTLY!
A child of awe and wonder, and loving it.
Kathy :)
Hi Kathy, I am glad it moved you so. same with me, especially the first time i came upon it many years ago. For the reasons Gabriel Heatter celebrates, all circus people can be proud.
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