Two weeks ago, I wrote a post called “The Next Song”.  I told you that I was learning a new song to sing at open mic sessions in June … “How Can I Keep From Singing?”  The lyrics and melody are lovely.

What I didn’t anticipate was how committed I was becoming to playing well with thirty other cellists this Saturday.  I’ve been practicing for two hours a day for nearly a week.  Unprecedented for this guy!

With my three days in Lille, France coming up right away, I’ve realized that I don’t have time to learn a new song.  I’ve discovered that there are different levels to memorizing.  In order to perform well, accompanied by the nervousness I feel in front of an audience, the words need to be supremely firm in my head.  I won’t get there between now and then.

There is another song that I was working on months ago.  It’s called “Spring and Summer”, written by John Denver.  I trust that I’m far enough advanced that I will calmly sing the words well in June.

What boggles my mind, however, is the song I woke up with this morning … “Catch the Wind”.  It was written by the Scottish folksinger Donovan in 1965.  Here it is:

In the chilly hours and minutes
Of uncertainty, I want to be
In the warm hold of your loving mind
To feel you all around me
And to take your hand, along the sand
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

When sundown pales the sky
I want to hide awhile, behind your smile
And everywhere I’d look, your eyes I’d find
For you to love me now
Would be the sweetest thing
That would make me sing
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

When rain has hung the leaves with tears
I want you near, to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind
For standin’ in your heart
Is where I want to be, and I long to be
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

I have never sung this song in public.  I have no memory of learning it.  And yet in the shower this morning, the words flowed sweetly out of my mouth.

How is this possible?

I don’t know and I don’t care

There will be two songs in June