On his recording of songs for That Was The Week That Was, satirist Tom Lehrer condemned the quality of the folk music I enjoy as being written by the people for the people and sung by the people. Then came Moses, David, Peter, Paul & Mary. They may have seemed like five quite important biblical figures, but just over twelve years ago and for about twenty minutes most did not know that they were a magical, musical quintet.
In the fashion of an Unforgettable Natalie Cole duet, three of us were not even in the same room. The trio with who most are familiar were harmonising from the stereo unaware of the off-key accompaniments to their sound. As I was changing four-month old Moses’ diaper I sang along badly. Then he joined in by making whatever gleeful noises he could.
It was the first time my son and I had ever sung together. Revelling in a song I once sang in my childhood, it seemed a religious moment, although I’m sure many clergy might have preferred some psalm or prayer to If I Had A Hammer. Yet the dissonance of that long ago evening were some of the sweetest sounds I had ever heard.
Then one month ago, Moses and I were on a road trip. A Traveling Wilburys CD was playing on the car stereo. When their cover of Del Shannon’s magnificent and immortal Runaway began to play, the two of us once again raised our voices to the heavens or, at least, with the speakers. It was the first time we had done so in a long time and what made it all better was the laughter when we both missed the high notes of the “wah-wah-wah-wah-wonder” of each chorus. Clearly, we had not got any more in tune with the passage of time.
Now I am not one for nostalgia. But twelve years ago, Moses and I were joined by something more than just genetics. We became part of the singers’ and the songwriters’ harmonies. Reminded of that recently, I was truly grateful for the artists and that both of us could once again share in their art.