Wing It

Recently I’ve been seeing notes about and audio clips by a singer by the name of Matt Alber. I enjoyed the clips in passing, but I finally decided to download his album Hide Nothing from iTunes last evening. I have been listening to his music ever since – on my pc and in my head.

…And if you hear it too
then why not sing it?
Pick up where left off and wing it*

I have found his music and his lyrics to be very “irregular” in some ways but very, very haunting. His music is personal: personal for him, I am sure, and personal for me.

Monarch speaks of the view from my own crysillis.

…And in my body there is buried
Some strange memory of how to fly…*

End of the World reminds me of the painful end with Dave, and, now that he is gone, of the futile ache of wanting to “get back in line again” with him “and ride the big one”.

But perhaps the track that has become my favorite (so far) is Walk with Me.

Walk with me a little closer
Hold my hand a little tighter
Look at me like you love me, baby
And I’ll love you back***

* * *

I don’t want to ride this roller coaster…**

but, if anyone’s interested,

…I’ve got two tickets left,…**

* * *

…What does it matter when you’re singing to no one?***

* * *

* from Monarch (track 1)
** from End of the World (track 5)
*** from Walk with Me (track 7)

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Dance Then, Wherever You May Be

I saw this video this morning showing how Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at the University of Chicago responded to the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church

After viewing the video I could not help but think of this song, one of my favorite contemporary “faith” songs. I think the boys of Alpha Delta Phi are onto something.

I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth

I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees
But they would not dance, and they wouldn’t follow me
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came with me and the dance went on

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame
They ripped and they stripped and they hung me high
And left me there on a cross to die

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body, and they thought I’d gone
But I am the dance, and I still go on

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that will never, never die
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me
I am the Lord of the dance, said he

Chorus (repeated after each verse):

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he

(emphasis mine)

Sydney Carter, Lord of the Dance, 1963
(sung to the old Shaker tune Simple Gifts [The theme of this song is also used by Aaron Copeland in Appalachian Spring])

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS (and your favorite dance music) to all!