I sat in a park yesterday listening to a man play his accordion.  I’d say he was from somewhere in Eastern Europe … perhaps Turkey.

Tourists passed by left and right.  He kept playing and smiling.  And he allowed me to take his picture.

In my forty minutes or so with the gentleman, four songs still linger with me.  And he repeated them.  They were familiar tunes.  And I wondered who wrote each one.  The internet assisted me.

1.  Que Sera, Que Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) … a writer from the United States

2.  Cielito Lindo … from Mexico

3.  My Way … with dual citizenship – Canada and the USA

4.  When The Saints Go Marchin’ In … the USA

The musician’s pillow was sparse with coins.  He probably played for hours to accumulate a few euros.

And … I wonder what it feels like to play songs that are far away from his traditions.  Maybe he loves them, but just as likely he knows they’re pieces that tourists know.  And therefore they might be more generous.

I’m imagining my heart and soul if I thought I had to sing songs that would be popular, but that didn’t move me.  Hmm …

***

I don’t know how the accordionist truly feels

But he sure has a great smile