The Music of Samuel

1 day ago by @cmharwood89

The Music of Samuel

cmharwood89

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Liner Notes

This was a fairly short write, but I went over it a few times to make sure I felt okay about it, and that it didn't become a caricature.

There is a man who lives near me who is known around town by a single-syllable name (not Sam, but along those lines). He's a mainstay in downtown foot traffic and the public transit. I've spoken to him a few times, he always says hello to my dog on walks, and he attended a couple of my band's shows.

But what he is known for is the stack of classical music that he carries with him everywhere. Any moment he isn't on the move, he is avidly reading the compositions of Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, and the like, and he'll be playing their music in the air with his free hand. He seems to perceive music in everything. I've never seen a person more compelled by beautiful sounds than he is, and it comes out in some strange - sometimes challenging ways (e.g. the first verse).

I wanted to write about that; about his music, but I didn't want to do so in a way that was exploitative. He clearly has some mental health struggles, and they aren't mine to write about.

So this is inspired by "Sam," but isn't about him. And if you read/listen to it and think that it rubs as being disrespectful, please let me know. I was really on the fence about whether this was one to share.

Voice is a little rough today with the dry weather. Single take with my Tascam recorder on my Guild acoustic. Capo challenge because I transposed it up from C to D#. Time to take that head voice for a spin.

#singersongwriter #folk #acousticonetake #capochallenge

Lyrics

Sam went for a walk on a rainy day
A little water in his shoes never got in his way
He's miming piano on the lawn, with nothing but his skivvies on
‘Cos the music in his head demands to be played

Oooh

He carries a book of concerts that he reads
There are elements of Mozart in all he sees
In a leather jacket and high-topped shoes he'll wave at those who look right through
But Sam conducts a chorus in the trees

Oooh

---
A bus-window tour of this midwest town
leaves him space enough for the world's sounds.
He's dancing in the aisle to unheard strains

He meets your eyes with distracted stares;
Run fingers through his flyaway hair
And ask if you appreciate Camille Saint-Saëns

People keep on moving through Samuel's frame
And no one even knows if that's his name…

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He's waiting at the bus stop for the west bound line
Two stops later he walks eastward making double time
All the while he's humming low, and if you cross his path his smile is slow
But wide and bright and filled with the gift of time

Ooh

Sam's standing on the corner in the bitter cold
The transit canceled hours ago but no one told
He's not bothered by the sleet or snow, while his fingers dance a Glissando
Sheet concertos gathered in soggy rolls.

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Chorus
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Sam went for a walk on a rainy day
A little water in his shoes won't get in his way
He's miming piano on the lawn, with nothing but his skivvies on
'Cos the music in his head asked to be played

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