The days leading up to Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) are often a time to reflect on and recognize those lost in war and to ponder the lessons carried on in conflict鈥檚 aftermath.听
For one 海角社区app professor, that reflection took the shape of a song.听
"Pebble," written by Dr. Jason Brown of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, explores themes of loss, the echoes of war, and the fragility of memory.听
鈥淲e owe an awful lot to the military and the service that they do protecting us all,鈥� says Dr. Brown.听
Listen: " as you read.
"Pebble's" life as a song began with Dr. Brown鈥檚 intention to write 鈥渁bout permanence and simplicity in life, and what lasts and gives [life] meaning.鈥�
The song's title evokes something small yet enduring, shaped by time, yet never losing its meaning. Like a pebble carried in a pocket, or resting at the bottom of the Bay of Fundy for many years 鈥� a metaphor brought to life in the song鈥檚 lyrics (see bottom of this article for full lyrics).
A song unfolds
Dr. Brown has been using mathematical theory to unlock the secrets of songwriting and music, including that of including that of the Beatles, for years.
But he has also donned the songwriter's cap听himeself from time to time, doing so once again with "Pebble." He describes the writing process 鈥� a gesture of remembrance itself 鈥� as something that came naturally.
鈥淚 let the story unfold, and it unfolded in front of my eyes as I was writing the song,鈥� he says.听
This natural evolution and openness to memory, emotion and the unknown, gives "Pebble" its reflective tone. While the song itself draws on themes of loss and war, its message extends beyond, speaking to the broader question of what makes life meaningful.听
鈥淭here are many things that are important in life. There is the pursuit of success, the pursuit of learning, the pursuit of family and friendship, and there's a pursuit of service. There's a pursuit of finding meaning in life,鈥� says Dr. Brown.听
Making sense of each brings its own challenges, he says: 鈥淭here's no way to quantify them.鈥�
Lyrics and legacy
As yet another year draws to a close this fall, Dr. Brown says the act of writing the song was also a form of personal reflection on aging and legacy.听
鈥淚'm getting older. I'm almost 65, and I think about these things: What is my legacy, what do I want to be remembered for?鈥� he says.听
Echoing the very heart of Remembrance Day, Pebble asks us to draw our own conclusions on its story.听
鈥淚 wanted to create intimacy with the listener, and how I tried to achieve that, in part, was to use minimal 鈥榖rush strokes鈥� to paint the picture, trusting the listener to fill in the picture,鈥� says Dr. Brown. 鈥淲hat isn't explicitly said is as important as what is.鈥澨�
To participate in your local Remembrance Day ceremony or learn more about the history of Canadian service, for more information.听
Read the full lyrics for Pebble below:
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He's barely ten, on the Fundy shore
Looking for fossils, his bare feet are sore
A tiny stone, about to toss aside
Yet something about it starts to catch his eye听
This pebble has been here since time began
It's weathered every storm that's washed away the sand
It skimmed down here, by God's hand
With billions out there, somehow this one's special
It's funny but this one is just my pebble听
He's twenty now, a few days leave
Her hand in his, 'til he drops down on one knee
From his pocket, he puts it in her hand,
She covers her mouth, 'cause she understands听
This pebble has been here since time began
It's weathered every storm that's washed away the sand
It skimmed down here, by God's hand
With billions out there, somehow this one's special
It's funny but this one is just my pebble听
When so much grows obsolete, so much eludes our grasp
There are some tiny, simple things that will always last
He's twenty-two, again he holds her hand
Wiping her brow, doing all a husband can
One more push, a tiny cry
He holds him to his chest, and he looks up to the sky听
This pebble has been here since time began
It's weathered every storm that's washed away the sand
It skimmed down here, by God's hand
With billions out there, somehow this one's special
It's funny but this one is just my pebble听
When so much grows obsolete, so much eludes our grasp
There are some tiny, simple things that will always last
She waits at home, expects him any time
An unfamiliar knock, the soldiers ask to come inside
The Fundy shore, everybody came
She and their son drop a stone into the grave, she cries听
This pebble has been here since time began
It's weathered every storm that's washed away the sand
It skimmed down here, by God's hand
With billions out there, somehow this one's special
It's funny but this one
It's funny how this one
It's funny but this one is just my pebble听