The Kitchen Musician ~ December 2016
In my family, we often mark important events by writing a song. This month I share a new song to celebrate the marriage of my son Andrew to Christine. Please join me in the kitchen for “I Thee Wed”.
Index
News:
This Month’s Music: “I Thee Wed”
Upcoming Shows
Featured Non-Profit: Tunefoolery
Sharing the stage with Seth Connelly and Mally Smith.
News
Save the date! Friday, February 17, 2017. I will be opening for one of my songwriting heroes, David Mallett at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, MA. David is a true American Songwriting Master. It is an honor to share the stage with him. Joining me will be my uber-talented brother in music, Seth Connelly. Join us? Details at this link.
This Month’s Music
I Thee Wed
I Thee Wed
© 2016 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Lyrics in the comments section below.
Whether it is a birthday, a death, the birth of a new family member, a new job, losing a job, selling a house or any major life milestone, it is a tradition in our family to write a poem, a song or some other expression to honor the event. Not every event gets a song, but many do.
On November 12th, my son Andrew and his fiancé Christine celebrated their marriage with many family and friends at their side. I wrote a silly parody of my song Apple and Cheese, which many family members joined to sing at the reception. So much fun, but I will keep those lyrics within the family.
A few weeks prior to the wedding, I attended the WUMB Fall Acoustic Music Weekend in Groton, MA. These WUMB Acoustic Music events are gatherings of musicians of all skill levels who immerse themselves in music making and sharing for days on end.
One of the workshops I attended was a songwriting class by my friend and master songwriter, Bob Franke. I have attended his songwriting class years ago, but thought I was due to be refreshed with a few songwriting ideas. I told Bob that I had tried and failed to write a serious song to honor my son’s marriage to Christine. I had settled on a silly parody instead. Bob suggested I try writing a song that could apply to any couple, regardless of their sexual orientation. I can’t explain why, but for some reason this was the creative spark which culminated in my song, “I Thee Wed”. Thank you, Bob!
I didn’t share “I Thee Wed” with Andrew and Christine at the wedding or the reception. Perhaps I felt that the intimate lyrics didn’t quite fit the raucous and joyful reception. Likewise, in spite of the subject of the song it didn’t fit the wedding ceremony, which was a beautiful and ancient Coptic Orthodox ceremony. But I suppose the real reason may have been that I was not confident that I could sing the song without showing more emotion than I was ready to share.
Instead, my daughter Mally and I made an informal recording with her phone. I shared that with them via e-mail as they headed out to enjoy an extended honeymoon adventure. (They loved it!) And now, they also have this lovely video with my talented friend Charlie Ortolani assisting on lead guitar. That seems especially appropriate, since Charlie was with me at the Acoustic Music Weekend where the song was born. Thank you Charlie! And thanks also to the good folks at the Roslindale Open Mike (Neal, Branson, Mike and Ken), and especially Steven Friedman of Melville Park Studios, of Boston, MA who recorded the audio. If you need a good live recording, Steve is your man!
I am choosing to focus on the blessings in my life.
Sing on!
Tom
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Upcoming Shows
December 22, 2016 @ 9:00 pm: Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
As part of the Club Passim Twelve Hour Open Mic, I will have a short 15 minute mini-feature set. Open mic goes from noon to midnight. If you’d like to participate, show up at the club and add your name to the list.
December 31, 2016 @ 10:00 pm: The Rounders @ Homegrown Coffeehouse, Needham, MA
The Rounders return to The Homegrown Coffeehouse to help celebrate New Years Needham. I join my good friends Chris Pahud, Cheryl Perreault, Steve Rapson and special guest Bill Thibodeau for an in-the-round evening of music and spoken word. Lots to do on New Year’s Eve in Needham during the day and evening. Then join us at 10:00 pm to bring in the new year in folkie style.
February 17, 2017 @ 8:00 pm: Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham, MA
Opening for David Mallett. David is a living songwriting legend. I am really looking forward to this one.
February 27, 2017 @ 8:00 pm: Roslindale Open Mike, Roslindale, MA
My 30 minute feature set starts about 8:30ish. Arrive by 6:30 to sign up to perform at this long standing and friendly open mike.
Click to view details for all upcoming shows.
Featured Non-profit: Tunefoolery
Tunefoolery Music is a unique and courageous community of over 55 musicians in mental health recovery who have created a safe place where loving support, paid work, and learning are the foundation for healing and recovery. Our mission is to bring quality music, along with an inspiring message of recovery and hope, to our peers and to the world.
Please join me in supporting Tunefoolery.
Tom
December 2, 2016I Thee Wed
© 2016 Tom Smith (ASCAP), TomSmithMusic.com
With my hand, in your hand
We marry our two journeys into one
This promise that I make to you – when our journey ends
Find my hand, in your hand
With my arm in your arm
Lean on me. I’ll lean on you. We are strong
We’ll climb mountains. We’ll walk valleys, through weather fair and storm
Arm in arm. Arm in arm.
[Bridge]
What love has brought together no force can tear apart
All of you bear witness to this harmony of hearts
With this ring, I thee wed
This symbol of our union and my pledge
To honor and support you with each and every breath
With this ring, I thee wed. I thee wed.
With my hand, in your hand.
Trisha Knudsen
December 3, 2016Such beautifully touching sentiments from a dad to his kids – and delivered in the most perfect way to your son and his bride. Truly weep-worthy, My Dear Friend. xo
Tom
December 3, 2016You and Phil have experienced exactly this, having written a beautiful song for your son’s wedding. Music is a gift in both giving and receiving – as is poetry, dear poet. Carry on!
Liza Vega
December 3, 2016Such a beautiful song, Tom!
Tom
December 3, 2016Thank you Liza. Grateful for the music in this world.
Elaine
December 3, 2016No words …
Thank you so much,
Elaine
PS Congratulations to the new couple!
Tom
December 8, 2016Thank you listening. And the new couple are so happy!
Deborah Goss
December 3, 2016Goosebumps!! beautiful.
Tom
December 8, 2016Hello Deb. Glad you like this song. It was fun to perform with Charlie. He really filled it out.
Megan Haddadi
April 29, 2017Hi Tom,
I just came across your blog and this song in particular when looking for things to do in the area this weekend. This is a really beautiful song, and I love that your family has a tradition of honoring events with songs. Just beautiful!
admin
April 29, 2017Hi Megan. Welcome to my online kitchen. Thank you for the very kind comments. Sing on! – Tom