David Francey Is A Poet For Real Life

About a month ago my wife and I took a trip up the coast to Long Beach, California.  I had heard a few months earlier that the great Canadian folk singer/songwriter, David Francey was coming to town for a house show.  And so, I immediately inquired about getting tickets.  House concerts are small, informal venues at someone’s house.  This was a small event and sold out immediately.  I was put on a waiting list.  Unfortunately, someone cancelled.  I say unfortunate because they were unable to listen to a great poetic musical talent.  But it was fortunate for us because my wife and I were able to attend.  As luck would have it the evening (May 18) was the anniversary of our engagement (27 years ago).

 

It was beautiful venue.  The hostess, Julien Menard, was a very gracious host and even offered dinner for those who wanted to stay.  It was a very intimate environment and a very nice afternoon. 

The stage was set in the Menard’s living room--a stool for the Artist, a chair for his guitarist, an overstuffed chair and sofa, and rows of folding chairs for the guests.  There were two windows open to allow a nice breeze to flow through.  Ahh, the breeze, every once in a while, the wind will blow, and sometimes, on that wind, we are blessed with the music of greatness – music of real people, real stories.  David’s poetry comes through his songs and subjects.  His words are poetry and his subjects are made so much more beautiful for it.  David’s songs touch everyone because his songs are about all of us. 

I first discovered David Francey when I heard “The Fourth of July” on XM radio, channel 15, 10 years ago.  I have been a fan ever since.  One CD, another, then another, and now I am hooked.  I love them all.  And it seems that each song somehow touches a part of my own existence, my own life’s journey. 

I have been a “Paper Boy”, I have spent nights in “Cheap Motels” and I have traveled at “Nearly Midnight”, and traveled all alone at that.  I have spent the “Waking Hour” wondering about new loves.  In these songs David touched me.  

In the next set he sang one of my wife’s favorite songs.  “Broken Glass” is one that touches us both. I was one of those shy 14 year olds.  My heart broke every time one of those girls went by. 

Sunday morning’s in our neighborhood the church bells ring.  It is one of the things my wife loves about our house.   And we often go walking and listen to the bells and watch all of the “Saints and the Sinners” walk or drive past us.

  

David Francey sang a song titled “Green Fields”.  I didn’t get a chance to thank David for this song and for singing it.  This was a story of my wife and myself.  I had a few doomed relationships before I met my wife.  But I eventually wrote her a letter.  She wrote back and “love came with letters and the morning mail”. My wife and I used to live off Greenfield Lane.  The song means a lot to us.

 

During the concert David spoke of his life’s experiences.  He used to be a “Paper Boy”; I used to be a paper boy.  He washed dishes in a restaurant; I washed dishes in a restaurant.   David Francey is a poet for real life.  I was proud to have made his acquaintance.   

David Francey is a real person, who writes real songs about real people and real life.