A song for Bert

"Do not be sad for what we've lost; be glad for what we've had."

SONG: Jimi and Janis and Sandy
(to a raggy beat)

Jimi and Janis and Sandy,
They're all in the heavenly choir.
With Woody and Billy and Phil and John
Their voices rise higher and higher.
They sang with us once for a short while
Then time came for old friends to part:
But the sadness we feel at their going
Should be gladness they're still in our heart.

There's Miles playing cool on the trumpet
As Louis rips riffs in the sky,
While Charlie rearranges all the chord changes
And Stephane's violin rises high.
And Django the gypsy makes magic,
The angels are tapping their feet.
'Cos no music's sweeter, they all feel the meter
When the Good Lord is setting the beat.

All heaven is having a party,
Eternity's having a ball.
They're all jitterbugging and cutting-a-rugging.
They've heard the last victory call.
One day we're all going to join them:
This earth is a musical school.
We practise our chops playing Top of the Pops
And study the Lord's golden rule.

(Repeat first verse.)

I composed this song when Sandy Denny died, and it comes to mind whenever one more of the giants who walked among us goes on to a higher plane of existence.I also carry with me Richard Thompson's words at Sandy's funeral, which struck some (not me) as heartless: that we had her on loan, and should not lament her passing.