A letter to my younger self.
I received a neighbor’s old guitar zither sometime in grade school, and played it in that exploratory, nothing-to-do-on-a-rainy-Saturday way for years. I have no idea what became of it, but it seems likely my mom got rid of it.
Last year, I saw the pictured Autoharp at a local antique shop, and was overcome by nostalgia.
The best thing about it is that the chord buttons are arranged in a more practical grid than any accordion or concertina I’ve ever played. That button arrangement led directly to this song.
Lyrically, this is a lot of lines of advice, tailored specifically to myself.
lyrics
listen for leaks
hang out with freaks
try a new habit
and give it three weeks
question a rift
accept a rich gift
don’t stay at home
because you need a lift
speak only truth
know without proof
follow your joy
while you still have your youth
say what you feel
listen for real
pay close attention
when you eat a meal
play with the band
whenever you can
don’t pack in syllables,
just make it scan
make a tradition
say you’re a musician
love all your daydreams,
bring some to fruition
connect when you can
connect with the past
don’t take for granted
connections will last
love,
your future self
parts
tjw: Autoharp, vocals