Friday, July 4, 2008

HeadSong Friday: American Tune

Ya know, I thought about some Sousa, but I figured you'd all get enough of that without me piling more on your plate. I wanted to do something rousing and patriotic, but this one kept creeping through my head. And since it is HeadSong Friday, well, I knew what I had to do.

I have always loved this song. It gets me every time. It reminds me of my dad, it reminds me of people I've known that work so hard, and never give up. Even when they know that hard work isn't going to do anything but keep them busy until the shit hits the fan. They just plug along and do their best, and get ready for another day.

Words & music by Paul Simon

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

And 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
but it's all right, it's all right
for we lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

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

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 hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, 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


Take care of your families today. Stay safe. And remember to put your right hand over your heart on the left side when they play The Star Spangled Banner. Oh, and eat as much potato salad as you want. Because spuds will do right by you, every damn time.

Happy 4th, people.

4 comments:

I, Rodius said...

It's a beautiful song. Happy 4th to you, too. Oh, and by the way, I heard my first fireworks here yesterday afternoon.

Lolabola* said...

right back at you. happy 4th, may the fireworks end soon!

I love this song but it makes me cry. he has such an honest way of singing it.

Donna said...

There you go again. Me and Paul, we're like THAT you know! That is probably my favorite song on There Goes Rhymin' Simon, which we played on the record player until it was scratchy. Just this morning I found a forgotten ticket stub from an outdoor Paul Simon concert that my sister and I took my dad to as a Father's Day present. It was one of our few grown up outings together and without the grandkids. And we rocked out to every. single. song.

Happy 4th!!

bobcat rock said...

great song, great posting. hope you had a good 4th.