After lunch and today’s aventure with one of our grandkids, I opened up Apple Music on my laptop and “The Old and the Young,” by the Denton, Texas, USA folk-rock sestet Midlake, was the first song to play.
Today’s selection is about holding onto dignity and grace while aging. Younger folk sometimes see older people as irrelevant and invisible, which I find very sad. The young can gain much from the wisdom of elders through mentoring, and the old can receive the gift of attention and honouring in this exchange.
“Time will have warranted all that the foliage brung
Falls to the ground at the feet of the old and the young
Tired and worn from a life made of wallow and pain
Of what will be made is all that remains at the core
Bear the old and the young
Time will have warranted
All that the foliage brung
So bear the old and the young
Awoke from a long one that came on the heels of a day
Where sun would arise and then grant us the kindness of ray
Fields full of gladness surrounded by droves that await
And look for the grave in everything adorn
Bear the old and the young
Time will have warranted
All that the foliage brung
So bear the old and the young
Bear the old and the young
Time will have warranted
All that the foliage brung
Bear the old and the young
Time will have warranted
All that the foliage brung
So bear the old and the young”
“The Old and the Young,” by McKenzie Smith, Eric Pulido, Jesse Chandler, Joey McClellan, Paul Alexander, Eric Nichelson.
Lyrics retrieved from AZLyrics.com.
In the video, two boys come upon a camper in a field and, approaching curiously, find that an older man lives inside. They startle him, and he comes out angrily as if to say, “Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!” The boys disperse, but one returns later to leave something for the man.
The boy’s offering brings a youthful glint to the eyes of the man, and when he discovers what it is, he soon begins to smile, dance, and savour life and his place on the earth. The story is a powerful reminder that we all need to feel we matter, regardless of age, and that even the simple act of giving someone our time and attention is one of the greatest gifts.
“The Old and the Young” comes from Midlake’s fourth studio album, Antiphon (2013). The song has a slow and deliberate vibe that I find quite appealing.
Now you know a little about why this is my Song of the Day for Today. Thanks for joining me here, and please enjoy.
Here’s the music video from the Midlake YouTube channel:
With my best wishes for a pleasant weekend,
Steve
Song of the Day for Today 