Living and Dying in 3/4 Time
A long time ago, a man was born close to sea on December 25. He lived a difficult life at times though ultimately grew to bring comfort to man via his divine inspiration. Each year many of us gather to celebrate his life. That man, of course, was Jimmy Buffett, who a week from now will celebrate his 76th birthday. Let us praise him.
I’m kidding of course, but typing something to that effect always gets a rise out of my aunt this time each year and I couldn’t help but test it out here. Forgive me for being silly, and if you are celebrating holidays, I hope these days bring peace and comfort to you and those you love.
But perhaps St. James (if we may call him that) has something to say here after all. Living and Dying in 3/4 Time was his fourth studio album, released to the masses in 1974. With it came Buffett’s entry into pop culture; “Come Monday” was his first hit.1 The song deals with Buffett’s loneliness on the road—he sings to his love about missing her, remembering the promises they’d made, and promising her he’ll be home soon.
For historians, this is anything but the case.
One of the most difficult aspects of the historian’s career in our current time is the lack of control over where one will spend their career. Those fortunate enough to find work have to move to whatever town in which their new institution is located, which can stress families, especially those with scholars in both domestic partner roles.
I wanted the HATM podcast to not only talk about movies and history but pull back the curtain a bit on how history is made—in this case how historians are made. This past week my guest Brett Rushforth was incredibly generous with his thoughts and experiences not only in the archive and in the classroom, but sharing with us the decisions one must weigh in his case as a historian, husband, and father.
I'm gonna share a bit more about Brett. This dude is a guy who does incredible work. Bonds of Alliance is required reading in my field. And I knew him a little bit through social media. When I left Minnesota to move closer to my boys, he reached out to me to provide an unexpected source of knowledge and comfort. The man helped me get through and become both the historian and father I am today. So there’s just no one else I could imagine who would provide the insight to you about what it’s like to be a historian.
We also talked about a tremendous film in Up in the Air, the 2013 George Clooney vehicle as well as his work focusing on New France in the 17th century. The pod link is below and if you haven’t had a chance to listen, now is a great time (maybe while you’re on a plane to someplace far away).
Coming up this week
Brett wasn’t the only one kind enough to sit with me. On Wednesday, I’ll be joined by Annette Gordon-Reed and Craig Bruce Smith to finally put the debate over Die Hard as a Christmas movie to rest once and for all. What are three early Americanists doing talking about a 1988 action film? Just wait and find out. Speaking of which…
Christmas this year falls on a Sunday night and in my family it’s just not Christmas until Han Gruber gets thrown from Nakatomi Tower. Therefore, we’re gonna release the Die Hard HATM podcast this Wednesday and follow it this Sunday with our (newly) annual Christmas edition of Historians At The Movies.
So, without further ado, join us on Amazon Prime this Sunday, December 25 at 8pm eastern for DIE HARD.
Finally, everyone, look out for each other. Lots of folks really struggling. I hope that you know that you are valued, welcomed, and loved in this community. It’s what Jimmy Buffett would want too.
See ya soon.
My favorite off this album is “The Wino and I Know,” a song I didn’t discover until walking through a record shop in Denver about four years ago. Clever turn of phrase, that one.
Die Hard is a Christmas movie....