Look, son - there's only two reasons why one does anything. Either in response to something else, or because the wires have just crossed each other, and you're doing the best you can with the language you have and the madness in your heart.
In short, odes and nonsense.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge sucker for folk music.
One, because I'm an incredibly mediocre guitarist, and quite a few folk songs are grounded in pretty simple chords.
Two, because they're wonderful ways to immortalize a story, a person. And my voice has always been best suited for a quiet, somber song.
When I first heard this song, it unraveled to me to its core. Such a perfect depiction of loss, survivor's regret. And, it's based on a true event:
I made Jenn play it over and over again for an hour and a half, and each time, I kept weeping. Sure, I was a bit of a wreck at the time, but there was just something so remarkable about how the song was constructed. I wanted to get into my blood, find a way to make something half as creative and raw as this.
The narrator of the song is Wagner Dodge. He died five years after the fire from Hodgkin's Disease.
It's been over a half an hour since I recorded this, and my hands are still shaking.
This is good, guys. I think it's the best thing I've ever done. Special thanks to Carole for spurring the conversation which led me to joking about riding the ferry to find that special someone.
It's full of glorious stereotypes, but it's also full of that Jara sass and love. I know I normally self-promote these brazenly with no sense of shame or purpose, but do me a favor. Forward this like crazy. I really like it, and I think other people will, too. Post comments, shout it to the winds!
Here are the lyrics:
Chorus
I'm gonna ride the ferry to find my love
I'm certain this'll be the time she'll find me
I know I'm strange wearing fate like a worn-out glove
But nothing else will ever bring me liberty
This moment, wind whipping waves along the ferry
May bring my love, the one, the one I'll marry
First Verse
Oh, Manhattan women never want to talk to me
Cuz my clothes aren't pressed, I don't invest in the ticker-tape game
I'm just a fool in jest
Oh, and women down in Brooklyn think I'm rigid and lame
I still eat meat, not a tattoo to my name
- don't smoke cloves -
Never liked the taste
Chorus
Second Verse
Oh, Bronx ladies, you've got it going on
But with a heavy heart, not smart enough to ease your pain
You need a stronger man
Oh, and women from Queens, there's something in your genes
You're always running from work to play - next Saturday for coffee -
Come what may?
You've got a tightrope class!
Chorus
Bridge
And I've tried my luck
With girls from New Jersey
But getting them to Old New York's
Like moving to Tumbucku
And I've pined for girls
Down in Boston, California.
(what good is pining, see?
Just play the lottery
You'll win more)
Third Verse
I know I'm not a treasure, not a Mr. Right
My qualities are slight
I might have lost the human race
But I still run, I still have fun
And if Staten Island doesn't bring romance
And if my heart never wins this game of chance
I'll take a breath
Until my death
I'll grin
And then I'll do it again
