Hello again, Wolfgang and Jeri:

Just one minor change... you're getting real good at this, Wolfgang.. it's "from times hard remembered." Probably not the best English, but it's the way that it came to me. Like many other songs I've written, this one came from a dream. The first verse was complete, as was the chorus when I woke up. One thing that is great about songs coming from dreams is that they are very visual (obviously.) In the dream, I walked into the old cabin, and found a yellowed newspaper clipping about the old fiddler. When I was a kid, I used to explore a wooded area out in the country, and came across an old cabin. When we were horsing around on the roof, I ooked down into the chimney, and there plastered into the chimney lining was a corner of a harmonica sticking out. I got out my jacknife (never travel without a jacknife) and slowly gouged away the plaster until I got the harmonica out. Getting the holes unplugged and the reeds loosened up was another matter. But, with a lot of careful poking around, and soaking the harmonica in a bowl, I finally got it loosened up so most of the notes played. It was worth it, just to feel that connection with whoever played it, years ago. I have no idea why he would have plastered into the chimney, up on the roof. It made for a good story, though, and may have led to this song..

Jerry

Thanks for posting this, Wolgang. Looks like I'd better send you a new batch of songs..

Have a Merry Christmas..^^