Fun with phrases: "in a previous life"

Laurence Horn laurence.horn at YALE.EDU
Wed Jul 18 13:41:55 UTC 2012


On Jul 18, 2012, at 2:29 AM, Eric Nielsen wrote:

> I have heard "in a previous life" for many years used by folks
> who--while probably not born and bred Budhists, Hindus, or Druids--at
> least have an attraction to the concept of reincarnation:
>
> "...but tell me, what have I done to deserve you?
> Must have done something cause that's how it works
> Must have been kind to kittens and birds,
> In a previous life must have thought happy thoughts..."
>
> "I Want to Sing" ca. 1998
> Regina Spektor
>
Or, a bit later, with a similar sentiment:

I must've been Gandhi or Buddha or someone like that,
I must've saved lives by the hundreds everywhere I went.
I must've brought rest to the restless, fed the hungry too,
I must've done something great to get to have you.

Cheryl Wheeler, "Gandhi/Buddha"

[Great minds thinking alike]
LH

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