Child of the Universe
Göteborg, Sweden, summer 2013
Sitting on a bench with my guitar
Tanguie, I am putting the final touch to the lyrics of a new song,
entitled Child of the Universe. Earlier that afternoon I
played the song for the first time while busking in Haga Nygata
street, even though it wasn't quite finished yet. Sometimes it helps
find the missing parts of the lyrics. Because I need to come up with
something on the spur of the moment, I say the first thing that comes
to mind. And sometimes it works, I find the missing piece of the
puzzle and write it down later. Nothing like working under pressure !
So today was this Child's first
public appearance, and it got the best welcome I could have hoped
for. I had been playing for a little while by the time I sang Child
of the Universe. At the end of the song this lady stepped out of
a little shop on the opposite side of the walking street and came up
to me with a big smile : « I'm the owner of this shop, she
said. I've been listening to you for the past half hour, and I loved
every bit of it. But then I heard this song and I thought, I have to
go out and tell her ! That song just has such a happy feel,
there's something special about this one ». As a songwriter, I
am always filled with doubt when it comes to a new tune: is
this song good enough ? Is anyone going to care ? Is it
worth putting in the sweat and tears to see it through ? Because
you never know if all those hours are going to add up to anything
worthwhile. So today the lady from the little shop gave me the
biggest boost of energy.
***
It was just a couple of days ago.
I was cycling down the norwegian coast on my way back down from Oslo,
and I'd just spent the previous night in a campground in Larkollen,
right at the end of the peninsula. The place was managed by two
amazing ladies who offered me accomodation in a cosy red and white
chalet, for the same price as a tent spot! This kind gesture was more
than welcome after a solid day of cycling. The setting of the camp
at the edge of the peninsula was simply breathtakingly beautiful, so
I gathered up what little energy I had left over from the day's
effort and took a long walk through the pine forest and along the
beach, as the sun set low on the horizon behind the clouds.
After a good night sleep I woke up
early the next morning and headed for a wooden table in the middle of
the rocks by the sea. I'd spotted it during my evening walk, and
thought it would be the perfect spot to finish working on another new
song, Travelling Around with Me. This was late in the season
and most tourists were long gone already, so I felt like I was the
only one there, alone in paradise.
Upon my departure that morning I
received many gifts from my hosts, including food supplies, a blue
and red scarf and a Norway cap.We took a souvenir pic of all three of
us together before I left for Fredrikstadt.
There weren't many cars on the
road as I rolled up and down the gentle green hills, home to the
cattle of typical red and white farm houses. As I came to a road
crossing under the grey skies I paused on the side of the road to
take a look at my map. A this junction two options presented
themselves to me: the more direct route sticking to the main road, or
taking a turn to the right on a small winding road that ran in a loop
along the coast. No doubt longer and hillier but also more scenic
option. As I looked up from my map I saw a tall black guy coming my
way from the bus stop accross the road. He asked me how I was doing
with a great big smile, and whether I needed any help on some
directions. So I told him about my dilemma, and of course, him not
being the one who had to cycle up the hills, he said it's a
no-brainer and advised me to take the nicer route along the coast. I
would not regret it he said. We'll see. People are always very
helpful that way. We ended up talking for a little while. He told me
a bit about himself, how he came to Norway all the way from Togo when
he was a student, and how he ended up spending the rest of his life
here. When I asked him whether he ever felt homesick, especially
given how different the two countries could be: « I am a child of
the universe, everywhere is my home » he said. I thought that
was nice. As I prepared to leave he added: « Take it easy, ok?
You gotta take it easy ».
His words kept me company for the
remainder of the trip, and I knew I finally had the right idea for
the lyrics to that new song I had been working on. I was gonna take
it easy now.
Wherever I go, wherever I am
Whether I am walking on ice
or standing on sand
Whatever I do, however I feel
Whether I am laying down
or standing still
I m gonna take it easy now,
taking it easy
Whether I go north,
whether I head south
Whether I just follow the word
of mouth
Whether I go east, whether I
head west
I'll follow my feet
for they sure know best
I'm gonna take it easy now,
taking it easy
‘Cause I'm a child of the
universe,
at peace on every corner of planet earth
There’s no better place I
wanna be
When everything falls in it’s
right place,
whether down here on earth
or in out of space
There’s no better feeling I
found,
I’m gonna take it easy now
Whether I live fast, whether I
grow old
I’ll way out the bad
and let the good times roll
Good times or bad times,
high tide low tide
Whatever I know I ‘ll enjoy
the ride
I ‘m gonna take it easy now,
taking it easy
‘Cause I'm a child of the
universe,
at peace on every corner of planet earth
There’s no better place I
wanna be
When everything falls in it’s
right place,
whether down here on earth
or in out of space
There’s no better feeling I
found,
I’m gonna take it easy now
