A song about the protection and the loss of innocence. Matt Tyson is featured with an incredible vocal performance that carries all the meaning and emotion.
jazz smooth angel innocence h
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Story behind the song
The following is the explanation I sent to Matt Tyson so that he could understand the thought behind this song. I had written the lyric, the backing music and my own melody line for the vocal. I sent Matt the lyrics and the backing only and allowed Matt to create the vocal leads and harmonies. I was wow'd by his ideas which he developed to create the vocals for this song. The only direction I gave him otherwise was to indicate where the lyric might sit in connection with the backing and chord progression. An incredible job Matt. Here is the story below:
This explanation is in three parts. The first is the event it is based on, the second is the idea it suggested to me, and finally, the lyrics that I’ve written for the song. Almost always songs are based on something that has happened in my life or at least how an event has affected me.
The event in this case I guess is not apparently significant. It was more suggestive of an idea. In the late 60’s during the Vietnam War, I was in the U. S. Air Force. At the time of this story I was based in Langley, Virginia. Essentially, I was permitted to go anywhere on the weekends, I only had to be back in time for my work. I had a girlfriend in New York City I was very serious about therefore I regularly got off work on Friday, jumped on a bus and after 12 hours or so was in New York in the early Saturday morning hours. Late Sunday afternoon I was back on the bus for the return trip. I was blessed with the ability to sleep quite soundly during the trips which meant I really was not losing much sleep when I traveled.
Many trips in this manner introduced me to the world of the road traveler which was not always pleasant or comfortable. There were very nice people and oppositely many unsavory characters; a microcosm of the world. In general, everyone was minding their own business and just intent on getting to their destination. If possible I always tried to find a seat without another passenger in the next seat so I could stretch out for comfort.
One night in November, on my trip from New York to Virginia, I awoke at one of the regular stops around midnight and looked out at the falling snow. On the loading platform there was a young girl standing talking to a couple of nuns. She looked like a teenager. The nuns were obviously dropping her off at the station for a trip on my bus and sent her off with affectionate hugs. When she came down the aisle, I was surprised when she sat down next me even though there were other empty seats. I didn’t really think much of it other than it was not the usual practice for a woman to plunk down next to a strange man on bus trips even though I was only a few years older than her. Very quickly after we left the station I dropped off into my usual sleep.
Somewhere down the road I awoke and realized that not only had she fallen asleep and leant over to rest her head on my shoulder, but she had slipped her arm through mine as if I was her oldest and dearest friend. Well, I have always been a nice guy, but not always an ‘angel’ either. However, in this case, I felt a strange sense that I had been selected to watch over her on her trip. Nothing mystical about it, but definitely I had a small purpose in the life of someone else; pretty much the role of an angel.
When I next awoke, the bus had stopped and she was gone. Looking out the window, I saw her on the platform where it was obvious she was being greeted affectionately by her family. A father, mother and younger sister if they were truly her family. I went back to sleep convinced I had been given a simple fated task and completed it successfully.
Not much of a story, but the event always stuck with me as odd things often do in the mixture of memory. But it did always register with me as a lesson about purpose when we wonder what our purpose is in the world. Sometimes we dream about making the big difference in events, but few have such an effect on the world. Anyone who might wonder why life has no purpose
Lyrics
I’m a highway angel,
Neither spirit or a man,
Riding over the white lines
Shielding whoever I can.
Your mother says not to trust me
Your father, he is unaware
Your sister, she is just jealous
When I caress your hair.
I’ve seen rain and I’ve seen thunder,
I’ve seen trouble and storms of woe,
Seen flowers like you go under
Before they’ve started to grow.
Take your place beside me.
There’s really nothing to know.
The road signs all lead to sunset,
Your dark eyes set in the glow.
Though the road is long,
It leads nowhere,
So you might just
Enjoy the ride.
Under my wing,
You can sleep in your sin
That’s buried behind your eyes, your eyes.
The sisters of black and crimson
Hid you away from all your care,
But even they had to release you
When you became aware.
Yes I’m a highway, a highway angel,
Neither spirit or a man,
Riding over the white lines
I’m shielding whoever I can.
Though the road is long,
It leads nowhere,
So you might just as well relax and just
Enjoy the ride.
Remember to stay under my wing,
You can sleep in your sin
That’s buried behind your eyes, your eyes.