An adaptation of Gloria Horton-Young's post "Dance Me to the End of Love" telling of Nazi horrors & the song's relevance today. Love & resistance. 英検2級 TOEIC CEFRB1
There was a heart wrenching movie made called "Playing for Time" about the women who played in that band that serenaded the victims on their way to the gas chambers. Stars Venessa Redgrave. A really well done movie.
Reading your adaptation of Gloria’s reflection took me straight back to the roll call square at Buchenwald.
I spoke of this moment in the Walk through Buchenwald documentary—how it felt to stand on that ground, where the silence itself holds memory. As I read your words and heard Cohen’s lyrics echo again, I found myself back there. And somehow, in my mind, I could hear the song being played. Not literally, of course, yet with a clarity that chilled me to the bone. A haunting overlap of past and present.
“Dance me to the end of love” is no longer a romantic line. In that space—on that square—it becomes a devastating echo. One that carries the unbearable weight of forced beauty, of musicians made to play as others were marched to their deaths.
You captured the layered ache of that truth so gently, and with a quiet strength that moved me. Love, art, resistance—these are not separate forces. In times like these, they are one and the same.
Thank you for adapting Gloria’s powerful piece and bringing it into a space where even learners of English can feel the full scope of what this song carries.
Jay, I cannot imagine what it would be like to actually be there. The closest I have ever come was driving near Plazow with someone from Warsaw to Krakow for the day. Just seeing the woods in the area and knowing what happened was deeply moving and thought-provoking.
Thank you for the complement, Jay. Gloria really did pour her heart and soul into that piece, and I wasn’t ablt to do it justice, but as you say, maybe in some way, if learners can come to understand the depth of the song in its context, then even a poor rendition will have been useful. I am always in awe of you, Gloria, and so many others here on Substack who have a way with words!
What you have written brings his song to a whole another level of passion and pain. Thank you for sharing his work.
Thank you so much for this. I love the song and have heard it many times, but didn’t know the history and the meaning.
Thank @Gloria Horton-Young for giving me permission to share with students.
What a wonderful collaboration! How did I miss this post!
There was a heart wrenching movie made called "Playing for Time" about the women who played in that band that serenaded the victims on their way to the gas chambers. Stars Venessa Redgrave. A really well done movie.
Thanks for mentioning that, Tom. I’ll do a search for it.
Dear Louise,
Reading your adaptation of Gloria’s reflection took me straight back to the roll call square at Buchenwald.
I spoke of this moment in the Walk through Buchenwald documentary—how it felt to stand on that ground, where the silence itself holds memory. As I read your words and heard Cohen’s lyrics echo again, I found myself back there. And somehow, in my mind, I could hear the song being played. Not literally, of course, yet with a clarity that chilled me to the bone. A haunting overlap of past and present.
“Dance me to the end of love” is no longer a romantic line. In that space—on that square—it becomes a devastating echo. One that carries the unbearable weight of forced beauty, of musicians made to play as others were marched to their deaths.
You captured the layered ache of that truth so gently, and with a quiet strength that moved me. Love, art, resistance—these are not separate forces. In times like these, they are one and the same.
Thank you for adapting Gloria’s powerful piece and bringing it into a space where even learners of English can feel the full scope of what this song carries.
With respect and remembrance,
Jay
Jay, I cannot imagine what it would be like to actually be there. The closest I have ever come was driving near Plazow with someone from Warsaw to Krakow for the day. Just seeing the woods in the area and knowing what happened was deeply moving and thought-provoking.
Thank you for the complement, Jay. Gloria really did pour her heart and soul into that piece, and I wasn’t ablt to do it justice, but as you say, maybe in some way, if learners can come to understand the depth of the song in its context, then even a poor rendition will have been useful. I am always in awe of you, Gloria, and so many others here on Substack who have a way with words!
Louise, maybe you'll like to have a look at my Walkthrough of Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial Site. https://wildlionessespride.substack.com/p/walk-with-me-through-buchenwald?r=1sss7q for the context.
And I agree Gloria poured her heart into that one, as she almost always does.
Thank you for the link, Jay. I hope to have time this weekend to read and watch.
Louise, it will remain live, so take your time. Frankly, this is not an easy leisurely watch and might affect you, so take care of yourself.