Self-indulgence leads me today to enthuse about a song which, for me at least, epitomises our present situation amidst the restrictions of the Covid19 pandemic.
Since his ‘Black Adder’ and ’Fry and Laurie’ days, I have been a great fan of British actor and musician, Hugh Laurie. In this blog I wish to draw attention to his version, along with his traditional jazz musicians, …… , as both pianist and singer. of ‘CHANGES’.
The song uses the tune of the traditional gospel hymn ‘What a Friend we Have in Jesus’, one of the best known and liked hymns from the 19th century religious revival in America. The words of the original were written in 1855 as a poem by preacher Joseph M. Scriven and with the melody composed by Charles Crozat Converse in 1868. The same tune was re-worked by Alan Price, re-worded as ‘CHANGES’, and released by him in 1973. Hugh Laurie released it on the album ‘Didn’t It Rain’ in 2013.
I give the words below – a true mirror of the year 2020
Changes”
Everyone is facing changes
No one knows what’s going on
And everyone is changing places
Still the world keeps moving on
Love must always change to sorrow?
And everyone must play the game
Because it’s here today and gone tomorrow
Still the world goes on the same
Love must always turn to sorrow
And everyone must play the game
Because its here today and gone tomorrow
Still the world goes on the same
It’s here today and gone tomorrow
Still the world goes on the same
There are many versions of both songs on YouTube. I give a link to my favourite Hugh Laurie version below . . .
Roland's Ragbag 