Old Man Luedecke left the big old city of Toronto, met a girl in the Yukon, fell in love, bought a banjo and fell in love again. After a couple of years of love and banjo and the makings of a brilliant performing career in sunny Halifax, he returned to the Yukon with his sweethearts. There he woodshedded. He wrote a ton of songs over the next year and a half. He held regular gigs playing banjo in a gambling hall with can-can girls and in a honky tonk called the Snakepit accompanying piano barnacle Bob. Even made an appearance at the Dawson City Music Festival. After a time, he left again for Halifax to renew musical acquaintances and record his debut CD Mole in the Ground. That CD has become a smash on college radio, was featured on CBC's Atlantic Airwaves and is a hot item in stores and at shows. He continues to live in Halifax and perform there and around the country to ever-wider acclaims. His stage show blends hokum and inspiration into powerful and fun entertainment that will delight young and old. He's still sweet on the girl he met up there in Yukon, and the banjo
http://www.oldmanluedecke.ca
Notes from the Banjo Underground
Old Man Luedecke Lyrics
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From the smallest cell can spread the whole infection
And I am not one to push it all aside
For I am one to hurt, and to hide
I read the book of psalms by David
And I sometimes feel exactly the way that he did
I am no man I am a worm he cried
Well here are notes from the Banjo Underground
Here is a worm behind the sound
When I find my little light, you know I'll let it shine
Mostly a question of time
And it's nobody's fault but mine
When I'm happy I don't prepare for other times
I've worried holes in my heart will not mend
But I wish I did not hurt my friends
Well here are notes from the Banjo Underground
Here is a worm behind the sound
When I find my little light, you know I'll let it shine
Mostly a question of time
Of time
Of time
Of time
In "Notes from the Banjo Underground," Old Man Luedecke muses on his own introspection, acknowledging that he is someone who feels deeply and struggles to hide his emotions. He compares his emotional state to that of David in the Book of Psalms, specifically echoing David's words in Psalm 22:6: "I am a worm and not a man." Despite finding comfort in these scriptures, Luedecke admits that his struggles are not easily solved; he worries that he will never fully mend the holes in his heart caused by his own emotional pain. However, he also finds hope in the idea that eventually he will find his own light and let it shine.
One key theme in this song is the struggle between one's private emotional life and the way one presents oneself to the world. Luedecke plays with the metaphor of a prison, suggesting that even when he tries to keep his emotions locked away, they still have the power to "spread the whole infection." This idea is juxtaposed with the image of the banjo, an instrument that is often used to create lively, upbeat music. Luedecke acknowledges that despite his sometimes-dark feelings, he is still holding onto the hope of finding his own "little light."
Line by Line Meaning
Rattlin' through a prison of introspection
Feeling trapped in deep and constant self-reflection
From the smallest cell can spread the whole infection
Even the smallest problems can affect one's entire life
And I am not one to push it all aside
I don't ignore my problems or feelings
For I am one to hurt, and to hide
I tend to suffer and conceal my pain
I read the book of psalms by David
I find solace in reading the Book of Psalms in the Bible
And I sometimes feel exactly the way that he did
I relate to the emotions and struggles expressed in the Psalms
I am no man I am a worm he cried
David expresses feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness in the Psalms
If I said it brought me comfort I'd have lied
Admitting that even though he reads the Psalms, it doesn't always bring him solace
Well here are notes from the Banjo Underground
These are personal reflections from an introspective musician
Here is a worm behind the sound
The introspective musician feels inadequate despite his talents
When I find my little light, you know I'll let it shine
The musician hopes to overcome his struggles and share his talents with others
Mostly a question of time
Overcoming personal obstacles and sharing one's talents with others takes time and effort
And it's nobody's fault but mine
The musician takes personal responsibility for his own problems
When I'm happy I don't prepare for other times
He sometimes forgets to take precautions when things are going well
I've worried holes in my heart will not mend
His worries have caused emotional damage that won't easily heal
But I wish I did not hurt my friends
He regrets how his own struggles have affected those around him
Of time
The passage of time is integral to overcoming personal struggles and healing emotional pain.
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.