2021, Art, Music, Nature, pets, Seasons, Uncategorized

Happier

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Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day for walking – even if a bit windy.  I walked along Minnehaha Parkway and as I looked down at one point I saw the words “Happier” and “Ed Sheeran” written in chalk on the sidewalk.  While I know who Ed Sheeran is, I wasn’t sure if I knew the song, so I whipped out my phone and looked it up.  It was very nice:

I don’t usually listen to music or audiobooks when I walk.  I prefer being present in the outside world and I’m not so sure that earbuds are all that safe.  I also need more attention than you would imagine to make sure that the dog is staying in a good state of mind.  But it was nice to listen to the song for a bit as we walked.  It won’t make me an Ed Sheeran fan but I liked the idea that I was hearing a song that someone else thought enough of to chalk it for passers-by.  We kept going along the parkway and I didn’t see anymore song titles.  Just the one.

If I could leave just one song written on the sidewalk for others to come across, what would it be.  One of my absolute favorites is the Ave Maria by Franz Biebl, especially the rendition done by Cantus.  But what message would I be sending the world with that one?  So I think I’d have to write “Everything is Holy Now” by Peter Mayer.  I think this is a song the world needs to hear.

I’ll supply the chalk.  What is the one song you want to add to the sidewalk?

30 thoughts on “Happier”

  3. I know I sound like a broken record about this, but Eva Cassidy’s “Over the Rainbow.”

    This is the live version. I slightly prefer the studio version but this one is powerful in its simplicity.

    Chris in Owatonna

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  7. This song, written in 1973 by Paul Simon, sums up very nicely how I feel at the moment. I little worse for the wear, but hopeful that there’s still a future for all of us:

    American Tune

    Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken
    And many times confused
    Yes, and I’ve often felt forsaken
    And certainly misused
    Oh, but I’m all right, I’m all right
    I’m just weary to my bones
    Still, you don’t expect to be
    Bright and bon vivant
    So far away from home, so far away from home

    I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
    I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
    I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
    Or driven to its knees
    Oh, but it’s all right, it’s all right
    For lived so well so long
    Still, when I think of the road
    We’re traveling on
    I wonder what went wrong
    I can’t help it, I wonder what’s gone wrong

    And I dreamed I was dying
    And I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
    And looking back down at me
    Smiled reassuringly
    And I dreamed I was flying
    And high above my eyes could clearly see
    The Statue of Liberty
    Sailing away to sea
    And I dreamed I was flying

    Oh, we come on the ship they call the Mayflower
    We come on the ship that sailed the moon
    We come in the age’s most uncertain hour
    And sing an American tune
    Oh, it’s all right, it’s all right
    It’s all right, it’s all right
    You can’t be forever blessed
    Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
    And I’m trying to get some rest
    That’s all I’m trying to get some rest

    © 1973 Words and Music by Paul Simon

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    1. And the lyrics:

      Say that you will, say what you feel, feeling inside, yeah
      Say what you will, show me what’s hiding behind your eyes
      Don’t keep ’em feelings locked up inside you, people
      Tear down your wall, don’t let ’em hide you reach out your pain
      Can’t you understand you’re beautiful?

      Do what you will
      Pay no attention to the small mind
      Yeah, do what you will
      Or laugh at convention, it’s not a crime, no

      Open your eyes and look around you
      Love is everywhere, will surround you
      Reach out your pain, can’t you understand, people, you’re beautiful, beautiful, beautiful?

      You’re so beautiful, oh, do you, do you feel it?
      Beautiful, beautiful now, I sure hope you feel it
      ……
      Come on now, say what you will
      Say what you’re feelin’, feelin’ inside
      Come on and say what you will
      Show me what’s hiding behind your eyes, girl
      Don’t keep ’em feelings locked up inside you
      Tear down your wall, don’t let ’em hide you
      Reach out your pain, can’t you understand
      You’re beautiful, beautiful, beautiful now?
      So beautiful, beautiful, do you feel it now?

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  10. Took me until the end of the day. Accidentally opened up Spotify when I meant to open up something else and this is what played, which is just right for my day today. (Tomorrow is my 20th wedding anniversary.) I know Eva Cassidy sings this, too, but I like the original from Fleetwood Mac.

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