You've Got A Friend

As the last bit of Spring Break speeds off, I find myself reflecting about where I am tonight. It has been relaxing to not have to work and to allow myself free time to "float" about life. Tomorrow is church which will be busy and then I know I'll blink for a second to find Monday morning here with students to teach.

Last night, I played the piano at the Vintage Lounge and Piano Bar (110 W. Main Street, Turlock, California) where I play Friday nights from 7 - 11 pm. I play for about 3 1/4 hours and about half of the way through the evening, I have usually cleared my mind enough to put my hands on auto pilot...that's when it really gets fun for me because I kind of become one with the piano, turning off my thoughts and just experiencing the lyrics of the songs that my fingers are singing. I don't know how that happens but it reminds me of driving long distances in the night fog where your mind can just kind of "check out" and suddenly you find yourself at home.

Last night, I played some Carol King when a customer asked me to play You've Got A Friend. I love that song...I jokingly tell my friends that I'm going to record myself singing it and that I want it played at my funeral. Even though I'm joking, I'm probably going to do it...I just love the reminder that, even in death, I will still be with my family and friends if they just stop and ask for my spirit to join them.

You've Got A Friend

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night.

You just call out my name, and you know whereever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

repeat chorus

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
When people can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend
Youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know you've got a friend.