When my grandmother (Oma) was a young girl she was quarantined to her room due to illness. She was given an accordion to keep her company. She learned to play it and she loved to play it. All throughout my life I would see and hear her play this accordion.
You can see her song list still taped to it:
And here is a photo of me and my son, Atticus with the accordion:
Recently, I mentioned that she died. I was given her accordion. I've been too sad to really play it. I also don't really know how to play it. It's a button accordion and it isn't super intuitive. Tonight I recorded this song titled, "Doesn't Feel Like Spring." You can hear her accordion playing the bass notes. I also used open bellows to record a percussive sound that almost sounds like breathing. It's a bit haunting. She deserves a better song, but it was very cathartic to record.
Here are the lyrics:
Today I showed my son
The new flowers on the tree
It made me want to call you up and
See if you saw the same thing
Doesn't feel like spring
Doesn't feel like spring
Today I walked with my daughters
Held their hands in mine
Remember when you walked with me?
I want to relive that time again
Doesn't feel so long
So long ago
Today I walked with my father
He showed me the blossoms too
Blooming in your garden
We agreed that you'd approve
Oma, I miss your love
I miss your love
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Just got to this. Wow. Oma and her accordian - do you have a picture of her playing it? This makes me want to write some accordian stories -- yes, I was put in accordian class when I was 10. Lyrics are beautiful. Memory makes us who we are and be who we want to be.
I'm a pathetic sentimentalist. That accordion is a beautiful artifact of your Oma. It couldn't be in better hands. I hope you write many songs with it and become proficient in making sounds with it that compliment your work. I liked the song. It's a lovely thing and it makes me glad that it's you that has it.
Thank you very much. This was a nice comment to receive.