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Hands of a Friend

from Wanderer by Steve Macdonald

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about

In the spring of 2000 I imagined the WorlDream to take place in 2001. The dream: to have every filker on the planet recorded singing the same song. Only, there was one problem. There was no song.

3 months went by, and I still had no song. I was beginning to get nervous. So, in the summer of 2000, I asked Steve Simmons to help me write the song for the WorlDream. He had the lyric idea for this song soon after, of tying together the ‘stranger/but suddenly family‘ feeling one gets the first time they go to a filk con and connect with someone. I had had the music kicking around for a couple of years, (it came to me in 1998 at my housewarming party right after my separation).

I loved what we came up with. However, in the end, it wasn't quite the choral sing-along that I had envisioned. Luckily, ‘Many Hearts, One Voice’  found me in November... JUST in time.

-----

lyrics

Hands of a Friend
©2000 Steve Macdonald & Steve Simmons

Step off the airplane, pass through the gate
Struggle with backpack, guitar in its case
An ocean of strangers flows by like a race
You pause, confused, undone by the pace

“Can I help with your bag?”
You hear a voice lend
Help with your burden, your fear’s at an end
With the face of a stranger, the hands of a friend
You’ll go now…

You sit silent, adrift and alone
A room full of faces that you’ve never known
One player sings, you feel the sound flow
Connecting all strangers in song’s bouyant glow

But catch sight of an eye
Electricity fanned
Then harmony rises, unknown and unplanned
From the voices of strangers, to the hearts of your friends
You sing on…

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

Sitting in circle, in songs bardic dance
Your turn comes around, you take a large chance
You sing tremulous, unsure of your place
You know that you’re done before starting to race

Some lend their voices
Some lend their hands
Some who just smile and nod as they stand
Each one is a part of the moment at hand
A gathering of strangers, now a chorus of friends
Right now–

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

Instrumental

Go to the airport, pass back through the gate
The stewardess puts your guitar where it’s safe
As you fly over oceans, rivers and straits
You sleep well, a smile on your face

Lands lie below you
close to your hand
Sleep on in comfort, know when you land
You’ll find faces of strangers, the souls of your friends
And go on…

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we have won
Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

credits

from Wanderer, released October 29, 2022
Recorded at Triskelion Productions, July 2022
Mics: Marshall MXL 604 (all instruments), Audix CX-111 (all vocals)
Guitars: Fiona (Taylor 656ce 12-string), Rowan (Taylor 615ce 6-string), & Gaia (Takamine LTD-2008 “Earth” 6-string) July 2022
Accordion (Katy): July 2022
Main Vocal (Steve): July 2022
Harmony vocals (Steve & Katy): July 2022

Music ©Steve Macdonald, 2000, 2022
Lyric ©Steve Simmons and Steve Macdonald, 2000, 2022

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Steve Macdonald Hamburg, Germany

A Michigan native transplanted to Germany, Steve Macdonald has been performing his brand of folk and folk-rock all across the USA and in Europe.

His concerts have been described as energetic, funny, and heartwarming. He sings songs from his life; as well as standards that everyone can sing to.

“A powerhouse, intense and focused.” – (A Fan)

“He’s clumsy and runs at the mouth.” – (His Big Sister) ... more

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