It Has no Words

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 22 May 2002 6:15 am

but a very interesting melody.....I'm referring to a song I wrote in the early 60s and I never wrote anything before or since.
The story is rather long but some personnal things have made me aware that I may loose it if I don't let it go. I have kept it to myself for 40 years and it never went any where and if I get too old as we all do, it will go with me. Many good writers have tried to put words to it but couldn't. One was from the old Capricorn Agency and she did more than just fail to write a lyric; she got so drunk trying that we had to hire a cab to send her home. The story has only been told to Jody Carver and has never been published or writen until now.

At the beginning of my pedal steel guitar journey, I had the occasion to play at the Royal Military Academy in Oxford, England. It was their version of the currently popular Hee Haw Show. Guests could either dress in Western Fashion or the normal Full Regalia. I had just finished one of my early attempts at Danny Boy having been shown the fundamentals by my mentor, Tommy Vollmer.

An officer with all his medals and ribbons and his wife on his arm approached me and asked: " My mother is very old and frail but she loves the song you just played. If we go to the house and get her, would you play it as soon as we get back because she could only stay for a short while ?" We said we would and later they came up and told me she was there and we played it again as a special request. I was never so nervous and I wonder if I played it well enough to deserve what followed.

They brought her to the stage each holding one of her arms. She was indeed very elderly and looked much like Whistler's Mother. I could barely hear her say in an amazingly natural Irish brogue: "Share and I've never haird it played more beautifully !" and they disappeared into the night.

On my way home I stopped for a stretch on a hill top near Swindon and in the mist over the meadow, I saw something protruding up through it like a miniature Washington Monument. I took a flashlight and went to see what it was; a memorial of some sort with the inscription: It is eternity now; I am in the midst of it. It is about me in the sunshine. The years dated were 1848-1887.

There was another marker on the monument with the years 1877-1930. I was like the Grandfather and Grandson relationship in Danny Boy and that knowledge left me with a lasting memory of the song. I thought: Here they are. Just like in the lyrics.
The next day I had a tune in my head and I was able to play it on my new Fender 1000.
A local pub owner where we played was a piano player and we worked it out togeather. He wrote it down in musical notation and I mailed it to myself to save it. But it has become lost over the years. I played it for a few decades and then stopped. I wanted it for myself and kept it hidden.

Now I would like to have someone who has the ability to record it and save it beyond my years. I have all the documentation on the story that I obtained from English sources and that comes with the song. I want no money or credit whatsoever as I have come to feel it is not my song at all. My only interest is in preserving it. If need be, I could make a recording of it as I play it or I could post the bridge in the Tab Forum. It is an interesting series of three modulations of fours/half tones each which brings you back to where you started from.

Anyone interested ???

Regards, Paul<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 22 May 2002 at 07:20 AM.]</p></FONT>

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 22 May 2002 6:53 am

Nice story Paul,I would bet we are all interested.If you would post it in tab form and share a memory with all your friends we would all know you better.Please?
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 22 May 2002 7:26 am

Ray; Thank you so much for the responce and I will post it in Tab but first I would write it out in hand and verfiy the chords so it will be just a little while before I get to post it. I'm also tuned to B (Cb)6th so I'll have to transpose everything in to the more commonly accepted C6th arrangement.

Again Thanks, Regards, Paul

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 22 May 2002 10:41 am

Ray{ I finally got it posted in Tab. Let me know if you can't figure out my spelling......

Regards; Paul

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 22 May 2002 11:04 am

Thanks Paul,I got it printed out and when I get home tonight I'll be learning it and let you know how I did with it in the morning.Thanks again.I hope more on the forum try it.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 23 May 2002 4:11 am

Played it last night,neat changes,I played it at several different tempos,don't know how fast or slow you ment it too be.I even played it at different waltz speeds,waltzes fit the best.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 27 May 2002 11:02 am

This story was told to me by Paul a while ago
It amazed me..I'm happy that he posted this.

Paul is a very interesting fellow who is modest as well,,anyone ever hear him play??

I have,,,,and under the circumstances of an
inexpensive tape recorder,,and while on a gig
he mailed me a tape,,,his modesty,,cant hide
the fact that he can play....and play very well at that.

Now I have heard three people who have kept their talents a secret,,,Gene Jones,,Ray Montee,and Paul Graupp.

Goodness knows who else I will discover,

Thanks Paul,,,,you are a "Gem" to this Forum.

Love ya guy.

Chippy Wood · Post by **Chippy Wood** » 27 May 2002 11:37 am

Hi Paul,
Thanks for an interesting post, just one thing, were you playing at 'Sandhurst Military Academy'?. Just that I know it well

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Ron (Chippy) Wood
Carter S10/Pad

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 27 May 2002 12:52 pm

Jody: As always, the perfect friend !! I can't recall the word they use for people who drop other folk's name in an effort to gain recognition for themselves but I wanted to be sure I wasn't one of those. I thank you for the kind words and they are always appreciated.

Chippy: It was near Oxford and I have always recalled it as The Royal Military whatever but I could be wrong. The name you mentioned does not ring a bell and I was pretty familiar with the area in those days. Thank you as well for the kind words.

Regards, Paul

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 27 May 2002 2:06 pm

Very nice of you Jody.....to include me among such obviously great talents. Thank you.

When I get your tape and have a chance to hear your fabulous playing, I most likely will be able to return the compliment. You're a special kina guy there, Jody.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 27 May 2002 5:29 pm

Paul,,,,dont thank me,,,you earned it. Your
backround as a writer is every bit as good as
your playing, and thats good enough for anyone.

Ray,,you wont think Im so good after you hear
my tape,,,,remember,,,Im older than dirt,

But what the heck,,,its all amongst friends anyhow. Still listen to your tape,,now thats
what I call great playing. Gene Jones is modest,,,Paul is modest,,Ray is Modest,,meanwhile back at the ranch,,,you all
or "ya'll play great,,,just that ya'll keep it a secret. Paul. feel better my friend.