Child of the Universe

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