I’m Gonna Make This Place Your Home

The Canadian Scottish on board the S.S. Princess Elaine, October 4, 1940.

“As the ship pulled away from the dock, her decks crowded with khaki figures, the pipes played “The Skye Boat Song”. It was an unforgettable moment, both for those on the deck and those on the ship. It was to be five and a half long years before the battalion would come home. All too many would never make the return journey.”

Dr. R.H. Roy, Ready for the Fray, Evergreen Press Ltd., 1958, page 92

Home

Tonight we venture a bit off the usual path, but once again I refer to when you feel it, when you see it, when you hear it – you know it. Whether you are a kinesthetic learner, visual learner, or an acoustic learner we found it all tonight, in yet another of the unlikeliest of places.

When Steven Tyler joined the judging panel of American Idol, quite frankly I was hooked. Having seen Aerosmith in concert several times I felt his remarks on the show would be interesting. It was because of Mr. Tyler that I started to watch. Together with J-lo and Randy they make quite a team carving a path for all the erstwhile contestants. As judges they don’t hold back. This year it was a bit different, enter Phillip Phillips the son of a Georgia State pawn shop owner who takes me back to those years in university when a singer with a guitar would play during the dark hours at the Student Union Building. You heard songs that introduced you to new thinking, and listened to ideas you never heard before. You felt, saw, and heard sunset glow. It’s a bit like watching film and knowing the soundtrack fills the passing frames with emotion.

Tonight, I wanted to pick up that acoustic guitar again as Phillip Phillips sang, as his final Idol performance, “Home”. I knew in an instant there was something more to write. I always enjoy trying to figure out how to string different and seemingly remote items together and tonight I found it again.

Thank you Phillip Phillips. Welcome home all veterans.

Welcome Home ribbon for the 16th Battalion Canadian Scottish.

Home

Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cuz I’m gonna make this place your home

Settle down it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cuz I’m gonna make this place your home
I’m gonna make this place your home

(Lyrics from Phillip Phillips’ Live Perfomance)

 Home by Phillip Phillips


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and in Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was further amazed by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Film captivated Paul and with time he became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was entranced when he learned Weir had visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. The film "Gallipoli" alone led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli and Salonika. It was, however, when Paul watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", that Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests would be a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, he believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

2 Responses to “I’m Gonna Make This Place Your Home”

  1. Elaine Neff says:

    Really loved his rendition of this song “Home”, which I had never heard before. Such a lovely, well written, tune, one that will be running through my mind for a while. The song is what helped the talented Phil Phillips have the edge over the fantastic Jessica Sanchez.

    Thank you for the song. Music helps me enjoy my life to the fullest. This one is a beauty. Thanks again to the author.

  2. Don says:

    What a beautiful moment. In that moment it could have been John Denver singing Annie the first time; or Paul Simon doing the Boxer, or Glen Campbell doing Galveston. It just really took me to a simpler place when the lyrics said something meaningful and the music was understandable and powerful. It was different in a nostalgic kind of way; really sweet. There’s still no place like home.
    I think I’ll pick up my old six string too.

    Thanks

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