sing to me

Since I wrote my last post, I have been thinking about songs that would give melody to the symphony of emotions that accompany my decision to leave my job. As I said, I feel sad and hopeful and anxious and sad. I’ve gone through a lot of songs that have offered comfort and courage, but as I began to put the list together I began to realize that I had a song list of old guys writing, in one way or another, about making sense of life as it stretches out. Some of these are old favorites, even expected. All of them sound like hymns to me right now.

Our opening hymn is “Rewrite” by Paul Simon, mostly because of the overarching metaphor of the song and the lines that say, “Ohh, thank you--I had no idea that you were there.” Here are a few more of the words:

I'm workin' on my rewrite, that's right Gonna change the ending Gonna throw away my title And toss it in the trash Every minute after midnight All the time I'm spending is just for workin' on my rewrite, that's right Gonna turn it into cash

I said help me, help me help me, help me ohh thank you I had no idea that you were there

when I said help me, help me help me, help me ohhh thank you for listening to my prayer

Kris Kristofferson has written a lot of great songs, but this one is my favorite, in particular for the words of the opening verse and the gratitude to God “for the artist that you are and the man you made in me.

wide awake and feeling mortal at this moment in the dream that old man there in the mirror and my shaky self-esteem

here today and gone tomorrow that's the way it's got to be with an empty blue horizon for as far as I can see

God Almighty here I am am I where I ought to be I've begun to soon descend like the sun into the sea and I thank my lucky stars from here to eternity for the artist that you are and the man you made of me

James Taylor was a much younger man when he wrote “Secret o’ Life,” but it takes on a new life to hear him sing it as he has aged so gracefully. And yes, it is a lovely ride.

the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time. any fool can do it, there ain't nothing to it. nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill. but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride.

the secret of love is in opening up your heart. it's okay to feel afraid, but don't let that stand in your way. ‘cause anyone knows that love is the only road. and since we're only here for a while, might as well show some style. give us a smile.

isn't it a lovely ride? Sliding down, gliding down, try not to try too hard, it's just a lovely ride

“Some Dreams” is a song about dreams and baseball and the truth that not everything goes our way, but some things do. Steve Earle knows of what he sings.

when I was a little guy my daddy told me "Mister, don't ever try to climb too high ‘cause it's the fall that gets ya and some dreams can never come true they'll never come true"

well, I heard every word he said but I don't guess I listened but every time I banged my head against the wall or system yeah, some dreams don't ever come true don't ever come true but some dreams do

if you just hang on and your heart is true and your hope is strong

well, just because you've been around and had your poor heart broken that's no excuse for lyin' there before the last word's spoken cause some dreams don't ever come true don't ever come true aw, but some dreams do

“Working Prayer” is one of Mac McAnally’s more recent songs. It is a prayer worth sharing.

I want to look back and still keep on moving forward whatever I lack I want to make up for somehow and when I get off track I want to find a way back on it I want to be smack in the middle of here and now

when they lay me down and put a marker on that ground let some good things grow around me there that's my working prayer

The last two songs are the songs most of you would probably name if you were asked what songs I would choose. My favorite story about “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine is about the time I was singing it and introduced the song by saying, “I think I identify with this song as much as any song I know.” Then I sang the first line: “I am an old woman named after my mother.”

there's flies in the kitchen I can hear 'em there buzzin' and I ain't done nothing since I woke up today

how the hell can a person go to work in the morning then come home in the evening and have nothing to say?

make me an angel that flies from Montgomery make me a poster of an old rodeo just give me one thing that I can hold on to to believe in this livin' is just a hard way to go

Our closing hymn is “The Cape” by Guy Clark. One of these days I’m going to get one.

he's old and grey with a flour sack cape tied all around his head he's still jumpin' off the garage will be till he's dead all these years the people said he's actin' like a kid he did not know he could not fly so he did

he's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith spread your arms and hold your breath always trust your cape

Thanks for all of the words of kindness, compassion, and encouragement.

Peace,
Milton