Julianna's discussion of the stories in song lyrics got me to think about the songs that have stuck with me because of the powerful influence of their stories. My favorite storytellers of song are Van Morrison, Sting, and Rod Stewart (the early years). These were the tales of love, faith, journey, of finding oneself that helped me become who I am.
For example, Redwood Tree, one of my favorite Morrison songs, tells the story of a boy, his dog, and the relationship the boy develops with his father. The song goes, "Boy and his dog, Went out looking for the rainbow, You know what did they learn, Since that very day. Walking by the river, And running like a blue streak, Through the fields of, streams and meadows, Laughing all the way. Oh redwood tree, Please let us under, When we were young we used to go, Under the redwood tree. And it smells like rain, Maybe even thunder, Won't you keep us from all harm, Wonderful redwood tree. And a boy and his father, Went out, went out, looking for the lost dog,You know what oh haven't they learned, Since they did that together, They did not bring him back, He already had departed, But look at everything, they have learned, Since that, since that very day, Oh redwood tree, Please let us under., When we were young we used to go, Under the redwood tree. And it smells like rain, Maybe even thunder, Won't you keep us from all harm, Wonderful redwood tree."
Everytime I hear this song, I think about my childhood, the hard times and the good times I had with my dad. I think about how I have grown as a person, and where I am today. If that isn't a good example of storytelling, I don't know what is.