How Paul, Art, and most of all, I, got very old.
If you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, you grew up around music. Very good music. The Doors, Jefferson Airplane (before they had the Starship), the Beatles, Styxx, 38 Special, Boston, Foreigner, Dobie Gray and too many others to list. They were all great. But, I found my inner voice in Simon and Garfunkel, Paul and Art. They spoke to me.
As only the great grandsons of Adalbert and Ottillie can attest, it was very hard on Miller Street. We dealt with it in our own ways. The number one son was mad at all of us and left at 18. The number two son lived in his own mind. I had Paul and Art. I learned the words of Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer, Scarborough Fair, Cecilia. If you knew all the words, you got a pass from the world for a few minutes. So, I learned all the words. Every single one. The other kids knew the preamble to the constitution, Hamlet’s soliloquy and that sunday’s Bible verse. I knew “Are you going to Scarborough Fair, parsley sage rosemary and thyme. Remember me to one who lives there; she once was a good friend of mine.” Paul and Art were my friends. They soothed the hurt, physical, mental and emotional. “Like a bridge over troubled water, I will comfort you. I’m on your side.”
Like some 1970’s Holden Caulfield in a modern Catcher In The Rye, I struggled through adolescence. The great grandsons of Adalbert didn’t need Viet Nam, we had Miller Street. “And here’s to you Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you can know. … Hiding in a hiding place that no one ever goes.”
Paul and Art went with me to junior high, high school and college; but, I lost them my sophomore year. “I’m sitting in a railway station, got a ticket for my destination. On a tour of one night stands, My suitcase and guitar in hand…homeward bound, I wish I was homeward bound….where my loves waits silently for me.
The problem was there was no home, just Miller Street. “Like emptiness and harmony, I need someone to comfort me…..” I had Paul and Art. Then for some reason, they weren’t cool any more. I still knew all the words, I just didn’t sing them anymore. I just didn’t sing anything anymore. “Coo coo ca choo”
Brother number one recently sent me a video of Paul and Art. They were gray and weary and their voices not as powerful as in years past; but, they were Paul and Art and they sang and three decades later I was able to sing with them. “The moon rose over an open field…. Kathy I’m lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping….I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why… We’ve all gone to look for America”
Paul and Art got old since sophomore year at HSU in 1979. It turns out that I too have aged 32 years in the last 32 years. But, tonight, I sang. I sang with Paul and Art. Sang for the first time since Miller Street. “I’m on my way, I don’t know where I’m going; but, I’m on my way.” I don’t ever again need to go to Miller Street.
Thanks Edwin. Thanks Paul. Thanks Art. It turns out that I am indeed, “Still crazy after all these years.”
See you next time.
Oh my God! I DIDN'T KNOW THIS ABOUT YOU!!!!! No wonder we are friends!!!!!!!!!!! Without a doubt, Paul & Art got me through my adolescence and early adulthood, too....I sang every song, I knew every lyric....they were all I needed at that time, and remain special to me even today. I try to use their songs to teach English to my international students...the students often grasp intuitively the thoughts and feelings conveyed by the poetry of the language mixed with melody, even if they can't always understand all the words. It speaks to their hearts: "I am a rock...I am an island!"
ReplyDeleteI can see in my mind's eye many emotionally charged memories which reappear when I hear certain of their songs--even now, these images & feelings remain clear & bright as if they had happened yesterday instead of 40 years ago: that time when ten of my best high school buddies all crammed into one of those enormous stationwagons of the '60's & headed down to the shores of Lake Michigan for a day-long picnic. Then at the close of a wonderful day, we drove back home--with the radio blaring, of course. Suddenly, like a miracle meant just for us, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" started playing. A hush fell over the car as we all listened to the beauty of Art's clear, true voice soaring over and around us...we listened, enchanted...as if we were hearing him for the very first time. And as we drove west into a magnificent, glorious, blazing red-orange sunset, I remember thinking to myself, "Hold on tightly to THIS moment...this absolutely PERFECT moment...remember this brief, brilliant moment of pure joy"...
Ever since then, each time I hear that song, I realize anew that Paul & Art's music is inextricably woven into my mind and into my heart. It's good to know that we have this in common.
Thank you for reminding me of how much I owe these two extraordinarily gifted men, now grown old...I will always be grateful that they came into my life.
Love you! Thanks for your blog--it lightens my life and brings me so much pleasure!