It is approaching midnight Wednesday. I am scheduling blog posts, editing my second book, preparing Physics lessons for my online classes and applying for a full time teaching post in Cairo.
A busy evening…
In the background I have Youtube on my TV. Playing some classic tracks from the Jethro Tull album ‘ Benefit’ – it was their third release in 1970. I remember buying it when I was 13. I have always enjoyed this album – it is one I seem to rediscover every 3 or 4 years.
Anyway, on TV appeared Ian Anderson playing live at the Montreaux Jazz Festival a few years ago. And he played ‘With You there to Help Me’, the first track form ‘Benefit’. It was a lovely live version, somewhat slower and more mellow than the original album version – maybe we’re all getting older!
I just felt I would like to share some of the lyrics.
“With You There To Help Me”
In days of peace —
sweet smelling summer nights
of wine and song;
dusty pavements burning feet.
Why am I crying, I want to know.
How can I smile and make it right?
For sixty days and eighty nights
and not give in and lose the fight.
I’m going back to the ones that I know,
with whom I can be what I want to be.
Just one week for the feeling to go —
and with you there to help me
then it probably will.
I won’t go down
acting the same old play.
Give sixty days for just one night.
Don’t think I’d make it: but then I might.
I’m going back to the ones that I know,
with whom I can be what I want to be.
Just one week for the feeling to go —
and with you there to help me
then it probably will.
Fairy Hanny 