Today
Ian Moore Action Company Lyrics
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New Orleans style
Play, me a funeral procession
Second line rhythm, walk me that mile
Find a tomb for my hiding
Oh, let me just rest in there, rest for a while
Make a grand presentation
The river is a running, Mississippi mud
My life is good, today
Fly, oh fly 'cause I got somewhere
I gotta be
Doctors and lawyers, with all their money
They won't find me
The sky's so big here, Arizona dust
My life is good, today
And I'm so alive now
Oh, it goes so quickly, yeah so many roads
Want to ask for forgiveness
My friends were all with me yeah, I was at home
My heart is so full here and my soul reconciled
My life is good, today
Lay me in flowers, sweet magnolia
New Orleans style
Ooh and play, me a funeral procession
Second line rhythm, walk me that mile, ooh
The song "Today" by Ian Moore and his Action Company presents a contemplative look at life and death, as the lyrics suggest. With the opening lines of "Lay me in flowers, sweet magnolia, New Orleans style", the artist requests a vibrant send-off. The funeral procession, second line rhythm, assumedly with brass band music, represent the "mile" to be walked to the end point. Moving to the next verse, the artist asks for respite, perhaps from the frenzied world of living. " Find a tomb for my hiding, Oh, let me just rest in there, rest for a while" - this sums up the need for peace, a break from the rigmarole of everyday life.
Moving to the chorus, the scene has changed, and so has our protagonist. The lyrics reflect a sudden urge to fly away from the real world, from the professional world represented by the "Doctors and lawyers, with all their money." The vast expanse of the sky, the Arizona dust represents freedom, escape, and flight. The last verse is self-reflective, with a sense of introspection and the realization of the richness of life. The fullness of the heart and reconciled soul paints a picture of calmness and serenity.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay me in flowers, sweet magnolia
Bury me among nature's beauty
New Orleans style
In the unique way New Orleans does it
Play, me a funeral procession
Perform a ceremony for me
Second line rhythm, walk me that mile
Walk me towards my last resting place with this special rhythm
Find a tomb for my hiding
Help me find a peaceful resting place
Oh, let me just rest in there, rest for a while
Let me have the peace that death brings
Make a grand presentation
Allow my life to be celebrated in a grand way
Oh, all of my family yeah, remember my time
Let my loved ones remember me fondly
The river is a running, Mississippi mud
Life goes on, like the river that never stops running
My life is good, today
I am content with my life at this moment
Fly, oh fly 'cause I got somewhere
I have a destination to reach, and I must go
I gotta be
I have to move forward
Doctors and lawyers, with all their money
Even wealthy people can't escape death
They won't find me
I'll be at peace, away from the hustle and bustle of life
The sky's so big here, Arizona dust
The vastness of nature makes me feel alive
And I'm so alive now
In this moment, I am truly living
Oh, it goes so quickly, yeah so many roads
Life passes by quickly and there are many ways to live it
Want to ask for forgiveness
I want to make amends before I die
My friends were all with me yeah, I was at home
Surrounded by loved ones, I feel at peace
My heart is so full here and my soul reconciled
I am at peace with myself and my life
My life is good, today
I am content with my life at this moment
Lay me in flowers, sweet magnolia
Bury me among nature's beauty
Ooh and play, me a funeral procession
Perform a ceremony for me
Second line rhythm, walk me that mile, ooh
Walk me towards my last resting place with this special rhythm
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAY MAREE SMITH, TONY MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Buie
I wish I could like this one thousand times! This is one of the best songs that I have ever heard.
poppyallgood
I love all the songs that hang on and keep evolving as he plays them live over the years, and of those, this is my favorite. "Muddy Jesus" has the show-stopper drama and it's the shit for real. Hearing Ian swim around inside of "Blue Sky" and "Closer" will never get old. However, finding a room's sweet spot and drawing a "Today" card remains one of the best experiences a set of ears is likely to encounter imho. Truly transcendent, and the Lossy harmonies that have found their way into the picture tend to leave me with standing neck hair and an afterglow that lasts for days. Makes a killer opener, too, as can be heard on the blissfully lysergic, "Via Satellite."
I hope more songs he's written over the years get this sort of treatment, because of the many things that Ian does well, it's the one he probably does better than just about anyone else. His great song batting average trends upward as the years go by, so it seems likely. If he won't do my fave, "Johnny Cash," there are several songs from the past few records I also think are Unimpeachably Great.
Jacque Reid
Muddy Jesus on the setlist did it for me!
Jacque Reid
He will forever be coveted by me! He is cherished!! ❤🗣❤❤
Mickey Settlemire
I hadn't heard that version, man... so good. Makes wish I was still in Texas, we caught a show in So. Padre in '96 I think, 'cause my wife was super pregnant. Oh.., I picked up a guy in my cab a couple years ago here in Humboldt, he had you on his voicemail, anyhow. Awesome, thanks Ian :0)