I generally hate to see lyrics printed out because they look so corny that way. But I'm gonna go out on a limb and post some here, because I am interested in the reckless communal exchange of ideas. And because I want to be a better, less inhibited lyricist. Also, I have cyberdiarrhea.
This is what I got for Christmas.
i am the king of all loneliness
happier sad, i confess it’s true
i'd rather be blue
you’re the one with the famous smile
eyes alight with the simple joy of a child
impossibly blue
seemed a bit too much to ask of you
the heart will always do what it wants to, but it’s alright
babe, it’s alright
i am the prince of naiveté
all romantic ideals and useless dreams
so it seems
you’re the one bearing tragedy
“life is brutal,” you said as much to me
and i agree
i can’t blame you for running out this way
now that you’re gone, i only wanted to say that it’s alright
babe, it’s alright
you and i will most probably never speak of this again
but i know your heart is big and open to feel sorry for these things
so don’t this time…
i’m the boy singing all sad songs
conversations with someone who has gone
and since moved on
you’re the girl with the brand new day
who never liked my songs much anyway
and that’s okay
so i will try to get this off my chest
go with God and know i want the best...for you
babe, it’s alright
I just drove down Ponce and was stunned to see that Tortillas, that hip little burrito joint across from the Claremont Hotel, is closed. When did this happen?!! I loved that place. Sadly, I hadn't eaten there in a while because I'm not in that part of town so much. But that was truly a great little restaurant. It was fast, healthy, delicious, cheap, and served by pierced urban neo-hippies with bad attitudes. It had been there as long as I can remember, but maybe it was done in by the Moe's that opened up 200 meters down the road. I was so shocked to see the empty storefront that as I drove past, in the car alone, I exclaimed aloud,
"Tortillas??"
So I've been working part time for my church as director of worship/music. It's a good job right now because I think this is the direction my life is heading and it's a good way to get valuable experience in the role. Doesn't pay much right now, but it's fun and I have some sense of being well-suited to the task, and of my gifts being used. That's a real key, feeling useful.
We're getting ready for the big christmas program, which is a Festival of Lessons and Carols--which I believe is an old anglican tradition where you sing, listen to choral music, and read extended passages of scripture. It's sort of a walk through the Bible from Genesis to the Incarnation. It's a beautiful service, encompassing the full spectrum of solemnity to joy, and is a good evangelical tool, because there's sort of an entertainment aspect to it in that the choral singing is usually varied and entertaining.
There's a classically trained woman in the church who is a good conductor, so she directs the choir. (my strengths are with more contemporary musical forms) But this year, she's letting me conduct a woman's choral piece, This Little Babe. Having never conducted before, I was a little scared, but it's coming together and I've already gotten at least an intuitive feel for what conducting is like, and what it takes to do well. Technically, I know very little, but now I've experienced it, which makes a big difference. Conducting is sort of a cross between playing an instrument (the choir) and interpretive dance.
It's a lot of fun, probably in part because of the rush and inevitable sense of power you get from being able to control the sounds of a large group of people, just by moving your hand a little. And it reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where he plays a conductor and leads his orchestra and opera singer through all manner of acrobatics. At one point, while holding his singer on a climactic high note, he leaves his glove suspended in air and goes and takes care of some errands. When he comes back a few minutes later, the singer is blue in the face, still holding the note and following the cue of the white glove in the air. It's a hilarious cartoon, as is still lodged in my memory because it was so visually impressive. Those of you who've seen it know what I'm talking about.