Playing to the Firmament

Dar Williams is one of the musicians who has changed my life, and my head, and the way I look at how words and music come together as the more writerly arm of that duo. I still can't play anything, but in my head I've always been more or less obsessed with the creation of songs. When there are people who can make them work together in a masterful way, it confirms creative beauty for me.

I started singing "Playing to the Firmament" in my head when I was on the Metro yesterday, the first day in a long time that I've allowed myself to spend mostly by myself, doing things that I enjoy, staying in motion, blending into the city, moving through museums and movies. It was as glorious as it gets for me these days, these days when I'm writing in spite of myself and all jammed up, so blah.

Anyway, as it ran through my head I found a piece of paper in my purse that was already shot-through with Sharpie marker from the notes I took all through the Pulitzer Photography movie at the Newseum. (Yes, I took notes. They were saying smart things and I wanted to remember them) I only wrote down a couple lines of this song, but I had to come home and find the rest.

Playing To The Firmament

There are kids, lots of kids, who put the law inside a circle
As they jump, I hope that you will up and down, up and down
When did you cave into this role that you were cast in
When did dress-up turn to fashion, throw your gown up and down

There's always the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
And let it take you apart, to the elements of praying
Til we are only playing to the firmament
Til we are only playing to the firmament

In the rain, in the rain, people rush around on cold streets
Here's a shell to hear their heartbeats very loud, very loud
Where's the pain, it's only rain, it's only slowing down a work day
Only singing happy birthday to a crowd, very loud

So turn on the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
And let it take you apart, to the elements of praying
Til we are only playing to the firmament
Til we are only playing to the firmament

And when did sex get so mean, when did crime get so clean
You know I just can't seem to find the soul in this striving
Why not play to a dream, cause the world is too green
For all this bad driving

What's the rush, dip your brush into this twilight
There are leaves upon the skylight, trace your hand, trace your hand
Mr. Ed, he shot ahead, he shot ahead inside a circle
On a bad day, who would you kill, take a stand, trace your hand

There's always the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
Let it take you apart to the elements of praying
Til we are only playing to the firmament
Til we are only playing to the firmament

I'm taken apart to the elements of praying, I think, not necessarily in a bad way. And what my reacquaintance with this song means is that the music that hits you, as Marley said "Thats the thing about it, when it hits, you feel okay", the music that hits you usually comes back around. I have a story about that from the Newseum yesterday but I think I'll save it cause it just gave me chills so it probably deserves its own air time.

The last time I saw Dar I got kind of mad because the show was short, and she rambled on about needing to leave to get back to New York most of the time she was playing, which I think, no matter how nervous you are to get back to your family, hey, this room full of people paid to see you and is kind of excited about it, so maybe you could realize how lucky you are to be able to sell out cool rooms like this and sublimate your need to leave? Or at least your need to express it? And I haven't been back to see her since, not because I'm cranky about it but because she held such a good spot for me for so long that I'd like to keep it that way. And it is, it's nice to hear the songs in my head still and know that they apply to me, in the way that I interpret them, for different reasons now.

What's the rush, dip your brush into this twilight
There are leaves upon the skylight, trace your hand, trace your hand
Mr. Ed, he shot ahead, he shot ahead inside a circle
On a bad day, who would you kill, take a stand, trace your hand

If you're interested in photography, check out the shot on her homepage. Awesome.

Comments

[Jennifer/The Word Cellar]

I just sat here and sang the whole song while reading through the lyrics. I love Dar. Thanks for the nice break from editing. :)

[Lara]

Laurie,
I saw your post on BlogHer (and commented) and clicked over to your site, read your "About" and some posts. Could we possible be long lost sisters? :)
Your writing is exquisite; I hope to meet you at BlogHer 2008.
Peace and fortitude, my friend.
Lara