Second Time Around
I am fond of folk music…particularly of the Indigo Girls. There is something to both the rhythm and story of the song that is sung. The Good Pastor pointed this out and after reading the reflection of the song, I knew I had to post it! I have been bitten by the bitter bug! In many ways, I am going a “second time around.” I do not know where this turn will take me, but I am taking some risks–risks on the nouns I love. It seems important to go a second time around on some things that I have always been fond of and things that are new to me or about which I am newly fond of. I am learning what space(s) is/are important and how to create place(s) which are meaningful, who is an ally and who is not, and who are (true) conversation partners who show more signs of understanding in the complexity of life.
It is true that I have always been an Amy Ray fan. She is evocative in so many ways, but after this Spring, I find myself being compelled by the radical progressive and spiritual Emily Sailers! I have a kind affection for her…Below, I have posted the reflection (written by Amy) and the lyrics to the song.
Second Time Around – 10/03/09 @ Mayo Center for Performing Arts / Morristown, NJ
This song grew out of a few different stories from friends and some of my own as well. I remember, I was being harassed by a drunk crowd one night while loading out from a solo rock show and it felt like no matter what I said, I couldn’t win for losing. I was feeling a real need for allies and also trying to get my own heart and attitude straight. I hear this song differently every time we sing it. Each audience reacts in a different way. Sometimes they laugh and clap along, and sometimes I just feel their sadness and compassion. I never take the crowd for granted, and this is one song I like to let the audience guide. It helps me tell the story to feel their reaction. This particular show in Morristown was one of our favorite shows of all time; the kind of show that even your sound engineer says was a good one.
- Amy
Here’s the mp3, in case you don’t know the song: Second Time Around
The second time around, you know it really got me down
Sister don’t you judge it, just keep it to yourself now
And if you ain’t got nothing good to say
Don’t say nothing at allI got bitten by the bitter bug, and now I just can’t get enough
Of ill will and my own conceit
I’m weary of the world it seems
I’m weary of the world, weary of the world it seemsIt’s sort of always gone my way
I’m just a little bit off these days
Like I’ve had hard knocks all my life, like I’m a Bible belt wife
Like I didn’t see it coming, like I didn’t walk in willinglySee, I never want to sing again
La la la like a butterfly
Without my wits about me, without my heart in line
Third times a charm and this is mineYou said you heard Loretta sing and felt the loneliness seeping in
The cowboys made you uneasy, you’re a god-fearing lesbian
So you learn not to yearn and you take it on the chin againHere’s what I find about compromise-
Don’t do it if it hurts inside,
Cause either way you’re screwed, eventually you’ll find
You may as well feel good; you may as well have some prideCome August we’ll go to Cherokee and hear Loretta do her thing
Pack it into the Indian casino and make the hillbilly scene,
Kick up our heels and join inAre you my ally or my enemy?
Do you have self-loathing or empathy?
Can you keep me in your prayers, sister,
Can you keep me in there somewhere?
And sister if you ain’t got nothing good to say…
Don’t say nothing at all.Written by Amy Ray
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