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The Minstrel

from Crossroads by Steve Macdonald

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  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • First published in 2003, this book contains all 25 songs from the 'Crossroads' and 'Playing in Traffic' albums, with an additional 8 parodies Steve has never recorded.

    This massive 88-page book features music notation transcribed by Dr. Mary Crowell, as well as artwork by Jane Irwin, Beckett Gladney, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Seanan McGuire (among others)!

    Only available in a dead-tree edition for the last 17 years, this digital-only release became available for the first time in July, 2020. You will receive a download link by mail after the purchase is completed.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    5
    releases

    Get all 5 Steve Macdonald releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Wanderer, The WorlDream Project, Reap the Wind, Playing in Traffic, and Crossroads. , and , .

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about

My brother John penned the lyrics to this song specifically referring to me.

lyrics

The Minstrel
Lyric ©1983 by John and Steve Macdonald
Music © 1983 Steve Macdonald

Give me a word
And I'll sing you a song
On street corners I'll play for you.
If you toss me a dime (if you help me along)
I'll try to make life easy, too.
Some say I'm lazy, or weak.
But brother, I just turn the other cheek.
I'm doin' what I was born to do.

Chorus
I got nothin' but this shirt on my back
I wander through the days
Singin' glorias to the sunset's haze
I am a minstrel.

Don't have money
I barely stay alive
My only agents are kids on the street.
But it don't get me down (they don't see me frown)
'Cause they give me material I seek.
So my thumb gets me from town to town
Their stories and faces get me by.
So I can stand on my corner and sing.

Chorus

Instrumental

Don't you know
That we are like gardeners
We live on the dreams we plant.
We stroll our rounds (spreading our seeds)
And reap a harvest when we come back.
I'm like a Johnny Appleseed planting dreams;
I offer a form of Eternity.
And I stand on the stage and sing.

Chorus

credits

from Crossroads, released May 15, 2002
Steve Macdonald: Vocals, Guitar
Kylea Fulton: Flute

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all rights reserved

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about

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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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