In which we ponder telling stories...

[jesshartley]

Everyone has a story to tell... Whether we know how to tell it or not, it exists within us, the tale of our own experiences, and as mundane as we may feel, there in the chaff is a golden tale.

Some of us, whether we can see the value in our own story or not, are blessed (or cursed) to see the seeds of other's stories as well. We witness a snippet of someone else's life and think "What came before that? What comes next?" We're weaving their story, even if they don't have the tools to do so.

And some of us see them everywhere. I was speaking with a dear friend
recently about finding the seeds of dozens of tales in something as mundane as an abandoned floral arrangment. The Viking and I stop each other constantly with "oooh, that would make a great story" and it can sometimes be distracting from "real life" to look at everything that happens to you, around you or that you hear of, in terms of the stories that can be gleaned from it.

Just some late night ponderings while elbow deep in redlines for Modus Operandi.

Those of you who know Heather's work will recognize this... Those of you who don't, should. Those of you who love me should note that I do not have "Insh'Allah", "Festival Wind", "Album of Secrets" CDs (or, for that matter, her 1992 "Heather Live" cassette, my copy of which was destroyed some years back when red-neck jerk-wads broke into my van). (Yes, I know... Yule isn't for months, nor is my birthday. I'm just sayin'....)

But, as it matches my mood...

Storyteller
music & lyrics: Heather Alexander

I spin tales each day of this world full of wonder
I hear people say,"You can harvest the plunder"
But as I reach out with a trembling hand
All the gold coins just turn into sand

I feel very weary, my temper is biting
I know I've grown leery and tired of the fighting
I pray everyday yhat it all will be grand
But I sure could use help of your kind, friendly hand

CHORUS:
Please, Storyteller, pull a tale from your pocket
Spin me a story from your coattail so bare
My heart has turned cold, my dreams are too old
And I need to know magic's still there

My own coat's too thin and I'm down to the lining
The spirit within on itself is entwining
My colors are faded, my cuffs are both worn
And the seam down the back is all tattered and torn

[CHORUS]

I walk through your door, see the smile that won't tire
I sit on the floor with your dog by the fire
You'll guide me on walkways where the faerie lights burn
And I hope that I never return

Who'll keep the firelight bright when you're gone?
Who has the insight to help me go on?
You taught me that stories, once told, can come true
And I hope that I tell them with magic, like you

[REPEAT CHORUS TWICE]

Comments

[kira-baranova.livejournal.com]

Do you have her newest, "Descendents of Merlin"?

Much good!

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

NO! BUT I MUST HAVE IT!

*grin* Thanks for the heads up!

[northernminx.livejournal.com]

This lack of CD's can be rectified.

[sothe.livejournal.com]

Is interesting.. one of the reasons I love movies so much, and even set out to make them at one point.. is that Movie makers are the modern day story tellers... some better than others, as always.

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

I love movies with a story to tell... good pacing, good characters, good dialogue.

[corbaegirl.livejournal.com]

Heard her do this live at the coffeehouse down the street, and she said she was thinking of Jim Henson when she wrote it.

[northernminx.livejournal.com]

Yup. It's based off the storyteller in the Storyteller seriues. ::nodnod::

[halaku.livejournal.com]

I only have her Vanyel disk.

And I'm so stealing this. :)

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

*Grin*

[aberdeen.livejournal.com]

For those interested, there will also soon be ring-tones available. And most, if not all, albums will be available through the iTunes music store.

Jess - ping my email with the list of what you're missing, and I'll see what I can do for you. (:

[jesshartley.livejournal.com]

Awesome. I'll so snag those when they come out!

[beloitst.livejournal.com]

We witness a snippet of someone else's life and think "What came before that? What comes next?" We're weaving their story, even if they don't have the tools to do so.

And that's why I have this icon...

I know so many authors who feel compelled to write, who just can't keep the stories in their heads. Me, ever since one of my writing professors in college said something profound, I've been zen....I am content to just soak up life and store it all up, and one day I will quit my job and move to some place where I can live anonymously and craft the magnum opus of my life.

One day, I will write about what I know. Until then, I'm always in the process of finding new stuff to know about.