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A Thought for Today
Merely wishing is for amateurs. The true
professional works for what he gets.
A sad reminder: One month ago
today many brave people lost their lives and in doing so awakened a world
to the evil waiting just over every hill.
Letters today (and I hope some worthwhile answers) from here, there and
everywhere as we head toward the weekend.
KOREA: SOLITUDE’S MY HOME
Hi, my
name is Bessi, and I am a Korean girl.
I've recently heard your song, Solitude's my home....and I was so much
impressed with it. My English is not good enough for me to make out all of
the words, so I would like to find the complete lyrics. Could you print or
send them to me please?
I visited your home site, and searched "Solitude's My Home"...
and..wow..so many results were displayed that to find the one I wanted was
difficult. Thanks, Bessi
Dear Bessi, Thanks for writing. The first version of “Solitude’s My Home”
I recorded came out during the 1970’s on my album entitled “Odyssey.” In
the past few years it has been released on three different CD’s in Korea
(including “The Platinum Collection".)
Way back in 1954 when I was serving in the United States Army in your
beautiful country I could never have imagined that all these years later
the Korean people would know my songs and recordings. I’m very pleased to
grant your request for the words to “Solitude’s My Home.”
Again thanks for note and I hope to be visiting Korea before long for some
concerts. Kindest Regards, Rod
Solitude’s My Home
Above the pounding of the rain
beyond the rolling of the sea
a thousand people know my name
and one or two may yet know me.
There in the middle of the night
I’ll find a friendly face
and I’ll be taken back again
to some new loving place.
And no... not being left alone
although Solitude’s My Home.
Faces there are I haven’t seen
faces there are I’ll never see
but what a waste it would have been
had I been anyone but me.
Still... if I seem a little proud
my head will often bend
on seeing someone in a crowd
I’ll never hope to comprehend.
Oh no... I’m not alone
Although Solitude’s My Home.
I try to beg the hand of help
sometimes when silence gets to rough
all I can offer is myself
that never seems to be enough.
And yet there are some men who kill
for less than someone’s hand
at some things I can only guess
and never hope to understand.
No. I’m not alone
although Solitude’s My Home.
I turn my face toward the wind
and shuffle down the darkened street
with winter coming on again
there’s no telling who I’ll meet.
Perhaps an arm will open up
to hold me for a while
who knows what waits within the night
beneath the surface of a smile.
Oh no... I’m not alone
though I know Solitude’s My Home.
Above the pounding of the rain
beyond the rolling of the sea
a thousand people know my name
and one or two may yet know me.
There in the middle of the night
I’ll find a friendly face
and I’ll be taken back again
to some new loving place.
And no... not being left alone
although Solitude’s My Home.
No... I’m not alone
although Solitude’s My Home.
Words by Rod McKuen, Original French
lyric & music by Georges Moustaki, from the album “Odyssey.” 1975
SCOTLAND: A CONCERT IN INVERNESS
I have
just managed to access your web page and I know it's going to give me
pleasure, just as your records have over the years. We used to buy all
your available records and then they weren't available anymore. By then my
records were getting so scratched. Later I discovered they were released
on CD and that was great. And now I can access news of your work and buy
recordings online. How things change and I'm really glad they do.
Years ago you gave a concert in Inverness and I'll always remember it.
Perhaps you do too, but for different reasons. Our beautiful new theatre
was having teething problems, namely publicity and the theatre wasn't very
busy that night. I was so disappointed as I knew you wouldn't return.
Many years after that I wrote to you, the first and only fan letter I've
ever written until now. I love the songs you've written and sung. They
seem to have been with me all my adult life, through good times and bad
and I thank you for the pleasure and comfort your music has given me. You
have a wonderful gift.
I wish you well from the Highlands of Scotland. Good health.
Elizabeth Elliot
Dear Elizabeth, Thanks for the reminder of Scotland. I have another friend
I correspond with frequently and both you and Andrea manage to bring back
that misty, lovely, evergreen land with your letters. I enjoyed playing
the Scottish concert dates immensely.
It was one of the last tours Edward was able to accompany me on and I
remember that among lots of other souvenirs we brought home armloads of
sweaters and three antique clocks. Edward's a ‘clock freak‘ and there
would have been four if the guy at customs hadn’t dropped and broken one
of them.
While the Inverness concert left something to be desired as far as
promotion goes, I loved the hall and the people who came were terrific. If
asked by a Scottish promoter, I’d come back in a minute. Maybe one year
I’ll be invited to do the Edinburgh Festival and then go on to Inverness.
Don’t know if you are aware of it or not, but “Jean” has a brand new verse
that I’ve been using in recent concerts. Here it is:
The Highlands never seemed any higher
The Lowlands quite so low.
We’re in our prime and so it’s time
A’heatherin’ to go.
Warmest wishes, Rod
NORWAY: THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE
Dear
Rod, I chanced upon your site just browsing tonight - well OK I was in
Oslo last weekend and I came across a copy of the Terry Jacks single on 7"
(best places in the world to buy 2nd hand vinyl : Oslo & Gothenburg -cheap
and in excellent condition) and I remembered from the time a Radio
Luxembourg DJ mentioning that it was a translation of a Belgian song.
Just to say that all Summer long I've had visitors from Europe staying
with me and while entertaining and cooking for friends is my greatest
pleasure, this, my first Saturday to myself since May, has turned out to
be my most pleasant as the result of discovering your site and reading
your poetry, out loud, to myself.
I have friends in Oslo who run a cultural center of great importance there
- they have a festival every couple of months where their most influential
poets, writers and bands perform; slightly embarrassingly in June they had
me "perform" as a DJ and while it was undoubtedly successful and they are
keen to have me back, I now think that next time I'd like to read some of
your poetry as well, although not necessarily at the same time ..
Naturally they speak damn near fluent English, but in any case they have
readers of Russian poetry too and are open to all forms of creativity
(even me playing other peoples' records); I'm really looking forward to
the opportunity if it arises.
Anyway, thanks once again for an extremely pleasurable Saturday night in
the company of just myself, some 2nd hand records from Oslo and your
poetry. My very best regards, André Shapps
Dear Andre, Considering all the time I’ve spent in Russia I’m ashamed of
myself for not returning home from one of my many trips via Oslo. Norway
and Finland remain two of the countries I still hope to visit one day.
While I know a lot about the Scandinavian kingdom I won’t feel my Nordic
education is complete until I make a visit to the top of the world you
call home.
I’ve always enjoyed Norway’s classical music and some of my favorite
Norwegian composers include Hallvard Johnsen, Johan Kvandal and Gunner
Sønstevold. Bjorn Wilhoe Hallberg and Tore Brevig have written some
interesting stuff. Your folk fiddle music is legendary and I’ve heard the
Oslo Philharmonic several times on their tours of Europe and America.
I used to listen to the Norwegian Radio’s Light Orchestra by short wave
every Saturday Night.
The cultural life in your country seems pretty varied. I know from past
book sales that the people of Norway are great fans of poetry. I hope you
do get the chance to read some of my work at one of the festivals. I envy
you being able to find good vinyl, most of the LP’s here are pretty well
picked over as soon as they make it to the swap meets and the second hand
record shops.
Thanks for writing Andre and welcome to A Safe Place to Land. I hope we
meet up one of these days so I can thank you in person. Happy Djing and
Kindest Regards, Rod
PORTUGAL: BEATNICK DAYS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Hello
Mr.. Rod McKuen, I'm sending this mail just to say I love your poetry and
your music (I know this is not news to you). I’m very found of the albums
"Beatsville", "Live at Carnegie Hall" and the album that you wrote for Mr.
Sinatra (RIP) "A Man Alone" (besides that I’m listening now while I’m
writing this mail almost with tears in my eyes for such beautiful music
and great lyrics), and I have a special affection for themes like "We" and
"The Beautiful Strangers"
My name is Nuno Franco, I’m 32 years olds and I’m from
Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal. Sintra is a very special place in a very
unique spleen atmosphere. It's very beautiful during the autumn season.
Sometimes i feel like an idiot because I’m the only one I know who likes
your oeuvre and a few other like Scott Walker, Andy Williams, Nancy
Sinatra, Richard Harris, Jimmy Webb, Brel, Francis Lai, Jean Ferrat and
Brian Wilson. For the rest of those who surround me i may look like a
romantic freak. Besides I’m a journalist in a big newspaper in Lisbon and
in my music section I’ve written several times of artist like yourself..
My question, if this is a question, is partially taken from the notes from
"Beatsville" re-issue CD, is: Do you feel the same discomforted in middle
age toward things that surround you as you did in the Beatnick era? I say
this because it comes out in your parodic masterpiece "Beatsville"
During your San Francisco days (one of the most beautiful cities of the
world) you seem to have felt that the city was claustrophobic to your way
of thinking and need to express yourself? I feel those times were more
interesting and exciting than this times we live in now. A time of people
with no ambitions, no joys and no hopes.
I hope these questions don't look like crap to you but that you know they
are an expression of someone who loves you work. Greetings from Portugal
to you, Nuno Franco
Dear Nuno, I’m glad you like “Beatsville,” especially the CD version.
Because of the added time available on disc I was able to flush it out
with a mixture of vintage and contemporary material. I also like the idea
of issuing the first musical CD with a free computer font thrown in. Hope
you’ve had a chance to make use of it.
Back in the 1950’s like everyone my age I was impatient to grow up. I
lived in Oakland and far from being stifling my trips to San Francisco
were liberating. The discomfort you sense in Beatsville has more to do
with my thoughts on the human condition; misunderstandings, prejudice, and
the lack of person-to-person communication than anything else. And, yes
all of those things still trouble me.
I think young people do have ambitions today, Nuno, but in an increasingly
media dominated world where sound bites suffice for information and
paragraphs replace whole books it’s harder for people to delineate their
ambitions and anticipations toward life. Still. I have great faith in the
young people of today. I hear from a lot of them and what they lack in
communication skills and articulation they more than make up for in
passion, honesty and the desire to do “something,” even if they aren’t
always sure what that something is.
Thanks for the kind thoughts about my work. Now that you’ve found A Safe
Place to Land I hope you’ll be able to sample some of my more recent
poetry and music. It’s been a long time since I traveled to Lisbon but I’m
hoping a trip back your way awaits me. Affectionately, Rod
BRAZIL: ROD & PET IN RIO
Alô Rod.
My name is Luiz Eugenio, I live in Rio de Janeiro and I’ve enjoyed your
work here for many years. I want to know if relançamentos of your LP’s are
available on compact disc. I am trying to replace all of my LP’s with
CD’s.
A friend and I had the privilege of spending some time with you here in
Rio, in Março,1979, in the Leme Palace Hotel. You are very nice; we had a
good time in the hotel talking on several occasions. You and Petula Clark
left us several disks with autografados
We would like to know if you remember and let you know that we have a lot
of affection for you and I hope you are well. I apologize for my English.
Excuse me! Love. Luiz Eugênio
Dear Luiz, March 1979 and my Mardi Graz trip to Rio doesn’t seem that long
ago. I remember that Edward and I went to Brazil for five days and because
of an Air France strike we ended up staying six weeks while we marked time
waiting to go on to Paris. It didn’t hurt matters that Petula was stranded
in Rio either. I even did some recording there on my own and with other
Brazilian artists.
I remember you and your friend Roberto very well, Luiz, and the kind way
you guided me to record shops where I was able to load up on Brazilian and
Latin American LP’s. In fact I’m currently negotiating with a company for
the release of my first Latin album in Argentina.
I have quite a few CD’s out now and I’ll send you a note with a list you
can choose from. Meanwhile my best to you both and thanks for the
memories. Luv, Rod
CANADA: WAR & THANKSGIVING
Dear
Rod, It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and as I sat down to my
evening meal I felt compelled to say a few extra words of grace at
suppertime. After thanking God for the small but more than adequate bounty
before me I went on to more important things.
The first assaults started today and so I had to ask that God protect the
brave men and women of the coalition in their fight for the freedoms the
rest of us enjoy. They will be the true heroes when this is all over, and
I for one hope and pray that
It’s over real soon. War >everywhere< has to stop once and for all. There
are far too many other pressing things in the world to worry about than
bombing and shooting the heck out of one another.
Well... with that said, I know deep down that this action has to take
place because we're dealing with an irrational organization of fanatics
who are not only dangerous to themselves but to the rest of the world as
well. It would be nice if it were all over by the time Americans sit down
to Thanksgiving dinner but I know that's not going to be the case. I told
my friend the other day that this is another one of those times when evil
will flourish if good people do nothing, and so on this Canadian
Thanksgiving weekend I thank God for good people. Love and God Bless.
–Dave MacDonald
Dear Dave: I agree wholeheartedly with everything you’ve said. I’ve always
been against war and one human being killing another for any reason, but
alas if we don’t do our best to stop these fanatics in their tracks there
will be no safety in any democratic country.
The terrorists at once envy us our prosperity and despise democracy in any
form. Look how they treat their women and how, like fanatic
fundamentalists everywhere, they twist religion to suit their own narrow
purposes.
This war against terrorism is one that no right thinking human being can
be against because the whole free world and what it stands for is in
peril. It’s wishful thinking on both our parts to think that America will
set down to Thanksgiving dinner this year or any year soon with the
assurance that peace is here or even around the corner. I didn’t vote for
this president but I applaud George Bush in forming and forging an
alliance of nations that are sick of being bullied by a cave dweller who
has already moved many of his own faith back to The Stone Age and would
like to take the rest of the world with him.
Hate isn’t an excuse for anything; it’s a tool that bullies always use to
cover up their own inadequacy and anxiety. How dare anyone use the Muslim
faith as a reason for evil. The thing we must all be careful not to do is
paint all people who face Mecca to pray with the same brush. Religion
isn’t the problem, twisting religious beliefs to wicked ends is.
A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and those you love, David. As ever,
Rod
ITALY: BURGLARS ARE COLLECTORS TOO
Dear
Rod, I was/am a fan of yours, I have been going off and on from Rome to
the US for over 20 years. In love with your country, but mainly willing to
"live" rather than having a career. I came across one of your books in the
60's and I have been impressed right away by your sensitivity, almost
Latin I should say. I was in love only once in the US, and with a
Lithuanian, born there and landed in the new Continent at 14.
I was using your words, and your lines for some special cards, or in
letters, but always quoting you (I am not saying it because I am scared of
the Writers Guild...) I gave as a present your books, and I had one of
your records with Anita Kerr. Burglars came, and they picked up the
records they liked better and I lost that one....I was very sorry. I
stopped going back and forth, I got married to an Italian. I was
disappointed: I dreamed as well a love that intends no harm to you, then I
found out it is not so, it is a matter of competition: I suffered a lot
for the first time in my life, but I learned a lot of things as well.
I wondered what happened to you and asked GOOGLE. So here I am writing to
you and wishing to know if you have found a companion who loves the sea,
the animals and a soul such as yours. I say goodbye for now, I say it to a
friend who did not know to have me as a person who has known him for a
long time. Please write. Teresa
Dear Teresa: God Bless Google and all the other search engines that lead
people here. Our on line audience is growing every day.
There have been and are some very good companions in my life who have
shared and enjoyed with me the things you mention in your letter, so I go
on being very lucky.
Suffering is good for all of us, it keeps us in touch with life and lets
us know we’re capable of handling anything that comes along in this all
too short but precious existence. It sound to me as if you haven’t gotten
anything on your plate you weren’t able to take care of. Warmly, Rod
VENEZUELA: SOME NEW WAYS OF LIVING
Morning,
I'm an art teacher in Maracaibo, Venezuela. I'm a graduate of the
University of Wyoming. At one point I was a bartender and waitress. I've
traveled a lot, usually alone. I'm 26 and love my work. I've painted many
of your poems.
I came across your poetry about four years ago at a library and that
night, checked out all of the books that they had of yours. Roethke,
Lawrence, Cisneros, R. Bach, and you. You've all reached me and touched
me.
I relate so well to so many of the thoughts that you've put words to.
Thank you for putting yourself out there, the way you do. It seems so
terrifying to me to allow people in. "Not worth the cost of staying
private..." I'm listening to you and trying out some new ways of living.
Love to you, Morgan Krajczar
Dear Morgan, while I’ve visited several countries in Central and South
America I haven’t yet been to Venezuela. One of these days. I was in your
home state of Wyoming at the beginning of the summer for a concert and Hot
Air Balloon rally in Riverton.
Thanks for listing my work with the other poets you mentioned, I’m
particularly fond of Lawrence and Roethke. You mentioned ‘painting my
poems,’ I’d like to hear more about that.
As far as ‘putting myself out there’ goes I’m not sure I’d do the same if
I were starting out today. I’m not complaining just thinking aloud that
the older I get the more I seem to enjoy my privacy. Still if being out
there encourages more people to be open with their emotions then I might
have done something right.
Enjoy your time in Maracaibo; it has a long and romantic history. Warmly,
Rod
ENGLAND: AND TONIGHT
Dear
Rod, Could you please give me some details on a song that you had on one
of your LPs. I bought it in the late sixties but unfortunately the LP has
gone missing. The title I think was "TONIGHT"
The chorus was something like, " and tonight everything is all right " Any
help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks and take care. Phil from
England.
Dear Phil: The album was entitled “New Ballads” and the song “And Tonight”
is one I wrote with French songwriter Leo Feré. As I mentioned earlier in
the week “New Ballads” & “The Beautiful Strangers” will be out on a single
CD in January. Here are the complete lyrics and thanks for asking. All the
best, Rod
And Tonight
Because the sky is black
as black as most goodbyes
I’ve come to see what light
I might find in your eyes tonight.
Because the world is empty
and because I’m empty too
I’ve come to be here
for a while and look at you tonight.
Because my new life now
is lived inside your smile
I’ve come to talk to you
and stay a while tonight.
I have no compass and no chart
no way of knowing where to end
or where to start. I must rely on you
if I can’t depend on my own heart.
And so, I’ve come here once again
to talk to you tonight.
And tonight everything is all right.
And tonight everything is all right.
Because tomorrow’s arms
are now already real
I’ve come to find out
how a friendly touch can feel tonight.
Because your back
can hold off even dawn
I thought I’d use it
as the boat that I sail on tonight.
Here with your head
against my chest
whatever else there is
I’ll forget the rest, tonight.
I know no reason and no rhyme
no need of keeping track
of tide or time,
since I discovered you.
God know what else I’ll find
here close to you tonight.
And tonight everything is all right.
And tonight everything is all right.
Because you smell like yesterday
I thought I’d come here
once again and stay the night.
Because my arms have ached too long
I thought I’d rest them here
where they belong tonight.
Because if I am anything at all
I’m part of you
however small tonight.
I have no compass and no chart
no way of knowing where to end
or where to start I must rely on you
if I can’t depend on my own heart.
and so I’ve come here once again
to love you tonight.
And tonight everything is all right.
And tonight everything is all right.
Music & French lyric by Léo Feré
English lyric by Rod McKuen © 1969, 1970 by Rod McKuen & Stanyan Music
AUSTRALIA: FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO LAND
Hi Rod I
spent a lot of the sixties listening to and loving your music. I have my
LPs of yours in my collection that sits in my lounge room. I have not
listened to them since the sixties. But I remember the songs so fondly.
Yesterday while surfing the net I came across your wonderful site and
thought how beautiful it is. The more I look through it the more I
appreciate the diversity of it. It is really good to see.
Now I want to hear your music again and once again feel how I did back
then. I must do something about it.
I just wanted to say "hi" though and to tell you how much I love your
site. It is so wonderful to be able to access something like your site,
and you, through the Internet. It is the best. All the very best to you.
Leonie Parsons, Australia
Dear Leonie, Thanks for thinking of me and welcome to A Safe Place to
Land. I hope you use Webmaster Ken Blackie’s Site Map to help you explore
all the nooks and crannies of what we smilingly refer to as ‘the Website
that ate the world.’ It’s grown in the past four calendar years to the
point where Ken is trying to figure out how to continue accommodating all
the past Flight Plans in the archives.
Happy springtime in Oz. Warmest Regards, Rod
Speaking of Australia and those who reside there, tomorrow (today down
under) is Coral Drouyn’s birthday. Coral was one of the first contributors
to A Safe Place to Land and one of its oldest friends. So here’s an early
happy and sunny sweet sixteen (or is it seventeen) Happy Birthday wish.
See you tomorrow with Pass it Along. Sleep warm.
RM 10/10/2001 Previously
unpublished
THE FINAL
WORD
“Okay, here's
a moral question for you. This is an imaginary situation, but thinking
about it will provide insights into your internal ethic proclivities.
The situation: You are in the Middle East, and there is a huge flood in
progress. Many homes have been lost, water supplies compromised and
structures destroyed. Let's say that you're a photographer, getting still
photos for a news service, traveling alone, looking for particularly
poignant scenes.
You come across Osama Bin Laden who has been swept away by the
floodwaters. He is barely hanging on to a tree limb and is about to go
under. You can either put down your camera and save him, or take a
Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of him as he loses his grip on the limb.
So, here's the question, and think carefully before you answer it. Which
lens would you use?” –Kathy Johnson
Details of Rod's next
appearance can be obtained by following the link below.
"Tap
Your Troubles Away" - the music of Jerry Herman
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