Today I visited one of my favorite urban yards (near the intersection of Dana and Centre streets in Cambridge, MA) as I was biking home from a visit with my beloved acupuncturist.
The people who live there have planted an astonishing number of bulbs under a huge beech tree in front of their home.
Right now hundreds of snowdrops and crocii are blooming, as well as one tiny Siberian iris.
And even though the temperature was near 32 degrees Fahrenheit, I saw two little bees diligently visiting each crocus flower to gather tiny bits of pollen.
Amazing!
The crocii have inspired me to share two different versions of a song I wrote a couple of years ago, “The Beauty All Around.”
Here’s a version I recorded last week with pianist/composer Doug Hammer.
I think this song originally sprang out of an excited realization that some of my favorite pop songs — such as “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay — were based on only four chords.
I am not sure when I came up with this particular four-chord progression — but I remember sitting at a picnic table next to a lake near Worcester, MA, when I started recording it.
It was a warm autumn afternoon, and I was attending one of my favorite congregations of human beings on planet earth, the Massachusetts Men’s Gathering.
Although I was not having the best time at my day job (as the lyrics attest…), I was happy and grateful to be sitting by the water, surrounded by trees and birds and sky and clouds.
Here is my original version, recorded using my trusty Apple laptop running GarageBand plus my small, blue ukulele.
If you are able to take the time to listen to both versions, you will notice how the lyrics have evolved a bit.
ps: If you are ever feeling down in the dumps and have access to the internet, just do a search for “crocus images.” So many colors! So much beauty! What a planet…
amusicalifeonplanetearth 
Will,
Again you have inspired me with song.
With thoughts of spring on everyones mind are we missing out on the end of winter? How the cold and snow is loosing it’s battle as the crocus/daffodils/tulips push onwards and upwards.Without the winter there is no spring.So thank you old man winter for protecting all that comes back to life. We truely are grateful for the chance to renew our lives once again with the blooming of the crocus.
I love crocii. They’re all finished here in sunny Sussex. The daffodils are finishing too, but the grape hyacinths & forget-me-nots are coming out & the bluebells will soon be in flower. Happy days … and your song makes today happier still – thank you.
Hope the day job improved since then. Here is something cheery a friend put on Facebook today, and I know you will get it: “Overheard in heaven: ‘Let’s do a show! We can use the old barn and …’ “
My Mom used to have iris and, perhaps, crocus, in her garden. They are beautiful … as is your song – although I wasn’t able to hear all of it.
Lovely song, and it fits with the crocuses. I think they’re happy flowers. They are very pretty, but they’re not stuck up about it, you know? They just go on with life. 😉
Your comment about the character and personality of crocuses makes me laugh out loud. I agree. They go on with life, happily blooming and helping to herald the arrival of spring and then melt back into the earth until next spring (hopefully…) arrives.
🙂
Version 1 Chorus amazing… love the laugh in your voice. Stunning (typing as listening) beautiful voice. Love the jazz feel …Brilliant…It brought a tear to my eye
Version 2 great version too… such a different feel more upbeat. Don’t sound at all like Coldplay but I sincerely think if you played this to Chris Martin- he’d fall in love. Double tracked voice stunning…. And 4 basic chords: unbelievable you can do this with them. Stunning mate Stunning. Love the chorus used as a prayer and the percussion backing near the end.
And Will please don’t think I am being nice or supportive…I haven’t got a supportive bone in my body. I say what I see! Cheers Paul
10 mintues later and still singing the chorus in my head!
Hurrah!
Really was my pleasure Will!
Paul! Thank you for listening to ANOTHER song — and leaving me more enthusiastic feedback. Bless you!!! You may not have a supportive bone in your body, but I think you have some very supportive ligaments and tendons… I am very grateful that you took more time to listen and leave a comment.
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