November, 2013

Apparently, November sucks. It's true.  From what I can see in the lyrics of any songs about this transitional month, there is a lot of talk of crappy precipitation and about crazy people--generally speaking.  Musicians, and maybe all artistic people in the world, think November sucks.  That statement is truer than true.

"We only dream to float downstream, reminded by the rain,

Tied to a tree, cannot break free, reminded by the rain..."

I know, right?  That there is a sad statement for humanity, from a song you've never listened to...  Seriously, that pessimistic stanza is not even from the Guns N' Roses' classic, November Rain, it's from a song called November by J Church. I am not particularly familiar with J Church, but I do know he's an artist who doesn't enjoy November.

Strangely, I am right brained, yet November and I don't have any problems with each other.  My childhood memories of November are happy ones, filled with family, and anticipation for the very next month: Jesus' birthday. November smells like candied sweets and pumpkin pie.  It sounds like my grandparents' and great-grandparents voices, and children laughing.  It feels like smooth, like Cushman rock maple tables.   

November is when I always seemed to be teaching the book To Kill a Mockingbird to my Sophomore English classes.  It was a great and humbling honor to put the hardbound copies of Harper Lee's novel into each student’s hands.  I knew their world was going to change a little bit when they met Atticus, and Jem, and Scout Finch.  

Literally, can't wait...

Although none of those things, the things that symbolize the month, were visceral and tangible this year, November still holds promise and beauty for me.  Michael happens to love turkey, and his enthusiasm for consuming it is unmatched.  November also sounds like Michael saying, "I can't wait for the turkey to be done, I just want to eat it and eat it.  Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday," with a voice full of awe and admiration; his Michael eyes--which are so much like Grampy John's--twinkling with his winsome grin.  

Why, Bob Dylan, why?!

I could say that this November was challenging for me, or rather, I was challenged greatly by setbacks this past month.  But I won't talk about those things: Musicians and artists already have a corner on that market-- rain and crazy people and death...  and drug dealing (in the south, specifically), crazy people and crappy weather and dying in the south...  That covers it fairly well.

Late November

by Sandy Denny  

The wine it was drunk, the ship it was sunk,

The shot it was dead, all the sorrows were drowned.

The birds they were clouds, the brides and the shrouds

And as we drew south the mist it came down.

The wooded ravine to the wandering stream,

The serpent he moved, but no-one would say.

The depths of the waters, the bridge which distraught us

And brought to me thoughts of the ill-fated day.

The temples were filled with the strangest of creatures

One played it by ear on the banks of the sea.

That one was found but the others they went under.

Oh the tears which are shed, they won't come from me.

The methods of madness, the pathos and the sadness,

God help you all, the insane and wise.

The black and the white, the darkness of the night,

I see only smoke from the chimneys arise.

The pilot he flew all across the sky and woke me.

He flew solo on the mercury sea.

The dream it came back, all about the tall brown people,

The sacred young herd on the phosphorus sand.

November

by J Church

As the rain falls hard it fills the cracks on Mission Street,

There's a hole in my shoe and it’s letting water soak my feet,

I don't know why I curse the sky because it won't stop the rain,

I don't know who I'm yelling to because it won't stop the rain

As the rain fall hard it falls on the people waiting for the bus home,

(for the bus home),

No matter who you are, you feel the same when you're wet, cold and alone,

Soaked hair and dress and all the rest divided by the rain,

When you get home you're still alone reminded by the rain, rain

So I went home like I normally do and I put on something dry,

I went out to get a coffee, read a book about anarchy,

And watched the commuters walk by,

Tears from the sky, I'm satisfied that I can't stop the rain,

Can't justify, and I can't define, and I can't stop the rain, rain

We only dream to float downstream, reminded by the rain,

Tied to a tree, cannot break free, reminded by the rain  

November Rain

by Guns N' Roses

When I look into your eyes

I can see a love restrained

But darlin' when I hold you

Don't you know I feel the same

'Cause nothin' lasts forever

And we both know hearts can change

And it's hard to hold a candle

In the cold November rain

We've been through this such a long long time

Just tryin' to kill the pain

But lovers always come and lovers always go

An no one's really sure who's lettin' go today

Walking away

If we could take the time to lay it on the line

I could rest my head

just knowin' that you were mine

All mine

So if you want to love me

then darlin' don't refrain

Or I'll just end up walkin'

in the cold November rain

Do you need some time.. on your own

Do you need some time.. all alone

Everybody needs some time.. on their own

Don't you know you need some time.. all alone

I know it's hard to keep an open heart

When even friends seem out to harm you

But if you could heal a broken heart

Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time.. on my own

Sometimes I need some time.. all alone

Everybody needs some time.. on their own

Don't you know you need some time.. all alone

And when your fears subside

and shadows still remain

I know that you can love me

when there's no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness

we still can find a way

'Cause nothin' lasts forever

even cold November rain

Don't ya think that you need somebody

Don't ya think that you need someone

Everybody needs somebody

You're not the only one

You're not the only one

Gone 'Til November

by Wyclef

I wanna dedicate this song, Gone 'Til November...

To all you ladies out there, crying all alone in your room

And all you fellas, going down south...Not making it back...

May the lord bless your soul, I love you girl

Every time I make a run

Girl you turn around and cry

I ask myself, why oh why?

See you must understand

I can't work a nine to five

so I'll be Gone...'Til November

Said I'll be Gone 'Til November

I'll be Gone 'Til November

Yo, tell my girl yo I'll be Gone 'Til November

I'll be Gone 'Til November

I'll be Gone 'Til November

Yo, tell my girl yo I'll be Gone 'Til November

January, February, March, April, May...

I see you crying, but girl I can't stay

I'll be Gone 'Til November

I'll be Gone 'Til November...

And give a kiss to my mother...

Girl I gotta leave, please don't cry

When I come back, you know the limit's the sky

I'll take you out to dinner, to your favorite spot

Feed you an aphrodisiac just to get you hot

Drive-by movies, by a cemetery

If my corpse could talk then I would tell you I was sorry

Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous,

Some die with a name, some die nameless

We had nothin'

I had to do something

So I'm Knocking On Heaven's Door, like I'm Bob Dylan

Ever contemplating, the charges I'm facing

My new-born son, I hope I see his graduation

Take him to the movies, by the cemetery

If my corpse could talk then I would tell him, I was sorry

Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous

Some die with a name, some die nameless!

And, there you have it--Rock solid, lyrical evidence folks.  November…  It’s… something.