Song Lyric Sunday — “The Music is the Magic”

Last week I actually guessed the theme for today’s Song Lyric Sunday would be “hidden.” I never saw Helen Vahdati’s confirmation of my guess, so I was as surprised as anyone else that the theme is hide/hiding/hidden. Had I known that a week ago, I probably would have chosen quickly, written, and scheduled to publish automatically today. I’m glad I didn’t because I found jazz singer, songwriter, actress, civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln.

Born in 1930, one of the youngest of 12 siblings, she taught herself to play piano by listening to records her handyman father borrowed from neighbors. Those Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn albums were her early influences. Holiday’s influence, especially, is easily heard in “The Music is the Magic.” Considered by many to be “the musical successor to Billie Holiday,” she eschewed jazz conventions like scat and improvisation. Like Holiday, she emphasized song lyrics, imbuing the words with emotion. She wrote her first of 80 songs when she was 40, primarily because she was dissatisfied with singing romantic standards. She wanted to sing songs reflecting her values, beliefs, and experiences. Her stage persona evolved from Marilyn Monroe-esque to a woman more like herself: confident, self-assured, and proud of her cultural heritage.

Abbey Lincoln wrote “The Music is the Magic,” released in 1992.

When everything is finished in a world, the people go to look for what the artists leave. It’s the only thing that we have really in this world — is an ability to express ourselves and say, “I was here.”

— Abbey Lincoln

“The Music is the Magic”

The music is the magic of a secret world,
Secret world, a secret world.
It’s a world that is always within.

The music is the magic and the hiding place
The hiding place, the hiding place
The music is the magic and the hiding place
It’s a place where the spirit is home.

The music is the magic of a sacred world,
Sacred world, a sacred world.
The music is the magic of a sacred world,
It’s a world that is always within.

The music is the magic through a raging storm
A raging storm, raging storm
The music is the magic through the raging storm
The storm that is over again.

The music is the magic of a sacred world,
Sacred world, a sacred world.
The music is the magic of a sacred world,
It’s a world that is always within.

Song Lyric Sunday — “Home From The Sea”

One of my all-time favorite singing groups is Celtic Thunder. It just so happens that a song on their sixth album, “Heritage”, fits the bill for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme, search. Phil Coulter wrote “Home from the Sea” in honor of his brother, who was lost at sea. The song tells a tale of a lifeboat crew’s search for a lost fishing boat. You’ll have to take a listen (or read the lyrics) to see how it works out. Note that the video features George Donaldson, one of the original Celtic Thunder members who I wrote about a couple weeks ago for the SLS “glass” theme.

“Home From The Sea“

On a cold winters night
With a storm at its height
The lifeboat answered the call.
They pitched and they tossed
Till we thought they were lost
As we watched from the harbor wall.
Though the night was pitch black,
There was no turning back,
For someone was waiting out there,
But each volunteer
Had to live with his fear
As they joined in a silent prayer.

————————————–

[Chorus]
Home, home, home from the sea
Angels of mercy, answer our plea
And carry us home, home, home from the sea
Carry us safely home from the sea.

————————————–

As they battled their way
Past the mouth of the bay,
It was blowing like never before.
As they gallantly fought,
Every one of them thought
Of loved ones back on the shore.
Then a flicker of light
And they knew they were right.
There she was on the crest of a wave.
She’s an old fishing boat
And she’s barely afloat.

Please God, there are souls we can save.

—————————————

[Chorus]

—————————————

And back in the town
In a street that runs down
To the sea and the harbor wall,
They’d gathered in pairs
At the foot of the stairs
To wait for the radio call.
And just before dawn
When all hope had gone
Came a hush and a faraway sound.
‘Twas the coxswain he roared
All survivors on board
Thank God and we’re homeward bound.

————————————–

[Chorus]

————————————–

Song Lyric Sunday — “Another Sleep Song”

Helen Vahdati has come up with another great theme for Song Lyric Sunday: Sleep. The most difficult part of trying to pick a song this week was avoiding those used for the “dream” theme in June! My song I stumbled on while searching. “Another Sleep Song” by Graham Nash appeared on his 1974 solo album, Wild Tales, not long before the breakup of his band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Wild Tales was not particularly successful, peaking at only #34 on the Billboard 200. That may have been due to the album’s overall dark tone, a considerable change from Nash’s prior work. Like the rest of the album, “Another Sleep Song” is somber but is a well-written, emotional reflection on slipping into depression.

“Another Sleep Song“
All is need is someone to awaken me
much of me has gone to sleep and I’m afraid to wake up
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying with you now
when I talk about the time I sleep away
when it’s hard to face the day.

When I think of all the love that’s taken me
how much do I get to keep and much should I give up?
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying to you now
I’m listening to the lies inside my head
who can hurt you in your bed?

Fear of other people is a thing I hate
I travel in a bubble and I can’t relate.
Something is happening to my head
I don’t want to hurt you
but I never heard a word you said

Has this empty hollow heart forsaken me?
I wonder if I’ll ever get to feel like I did
before I grew up.
shake me by the shoulder if I’m lying with you now
There is no time to waste another day
cause we watch them fly away.

Re-blog: Author Interview: Joe Milliken of “Let’s Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars”

Publication is a mere 50 days away! I’m so excited to read this book. Joe Milliken has been chronicling the music scene for 20 years. He’s a fan, yes, but his writing is not that of a gushing fan-boy. He is objective, thoughtful, insightful, and respectful of his subjects and his sources. This interview gives you a peek at Mr. Milliken and his enigmatic subject, Benjamin Orr. (“Let’s Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars” is available for pre-order at https://www.benorrbook.com/.)

via Author Interview: Joe Milliken of “Let’s Go! Benjamin Orr and The Cars”

Song Lyric Sunday — “The Parting Glass”

Is the glass half-empty or half-full? Helen Vahdati’s musing on that suject resulted in this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme: Glass. The glass I’ve chosen to write about is neither, as the full glass is drained for a toast.

“The Parting Glass” is a bittersweet farewell to close friends. Having its roots in Scotland, it’s considered to be traditional in both Ireland and Scotland. The lyrics in some form existed in the early 1600s, attributed by Sir Walter Scott to a man who was hanged after penning his farewell, now called “Armstrong’s Goodnight.” Today’s lyrics were first seen on a handbill in the 1770s. As with other traditional songs, the music was also used for other songs, and was first published in Glasgow in 1782 as a fiddle tune called “The Peacock.” The song was popularlized in the 20th century by Irish recordings by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and by The Dubliners.

My favorite version of “The Parting Glass” could be considered a poignant farewell from the singer. George Donaldson was one of the original members of, and the only Scot in, Celtic Thunder, a singing group formed in Dublin in 2007. At 39 and the only married member, George was “the old man” to the others who ranged in age from 14 to 30. Well-beloved by cast, crew, and fans, he passed away unexpectedly at 46 from a massive heart attack in March 2014.

Released on his second solo album, “The Parting Glass” video was filmed and released a mere five months before his passing. I’d say “enjoy,” but I truly can’t hear and watch him sing this without choking up.

“The Parting Glass”

Of all the money e’er I had
I’ve spent it in good company
And all the harm e’er I’ve done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades e’er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ordered been
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all
Goodnight and joy be with you all

*edited to add links to The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners versions