Vincent Van Gogh: The Song of his life.
Introduction:
The
life of Vincent Van Gogh has attracted attention from people of all walks
of life, many who search to understand what motivated him to value painting
above all things, even food. His suicide in a mental institution
made him immortal. The songwriter Don Mclean (wrote American Pie) is an
example of someone who was impacted by the life and works of Van Gogh.
Information:
Read the song lyrics below outloud, at least three times and print
it if you would like. After you are done reading the words you and
your partner should print the worksheet and answer the top two questions
which are based on the song . Then go to the Van Gogh website and
look at the biography of his life as well as at least three of his paintings
and answer the other questions.
Task:
When you are done looking up the information and have answered the questions
on the worksheet, use the Netscape Composer to write a poem or song about
Van Gogh as you see him. This should be based on your research from
the website and shouldn't be an immitation of Don McLean's song.
BE CREATIVE!
Click here to get the worksheet and be sure to print it.
Vincent
by: Don Mclean
Starry, starry night:
Paint your palette blue and gray.
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills.
Sketch the trees and the daffodils;
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land.
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me,
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen; they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry, starry night:
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze;
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue:
Morning fields of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me,
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen; they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you
But still, your love was true.
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do.
But I could've told you, Vincent:
This world was never meant
For one as beautiful as you.
Starry, starry night:
Portraits hung in empty halls:
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget;
Like the strangers that you've met:
The ragged men in ragged clothes.
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me,
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen; they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will.
Van Gogh Gallery-http://www.vangoghgallery.com/