Happy trials

Hello everybody, I’m sitting here trying to learn a song and thought to share my elementary process as well as the song itself. I hope everyone is faring well and I will update you on my progress. Today is kind of warm out and something in the air that is aggravating allergies. Most likely smoke residue from neighboring wildfires. But all is well and hope everyone is getting ready to greet the summer solstice…. Below is Bob Dylan’s lyrics and recoRding of the song in question. The man with the long black coat. A moody evocative song from Oh Mercy…. The man in the long black coat Crickets are chirpin' the water is highThere's a soft cotton dress on the line hangin' dryWindow wide open African treesBent over backwards from a hurricane breezeNot a word of goodbye not even a noteShe gone with the man in the long black coat Somebody seen him hangin' aroundAt the old dance hall on the outskirts of townHe looked into her eyes when she stopped him to askIf he wanted to dance he had a face like a maskSomebody said from the bible he'd quoteThere was dust on the man in the long black coat Preacher was talking there's a sermon he gaveHe said every man's conscience is vile and depravedYou cannot depend on it to be your guideWhen it's you who must keep it satisfiedIt ain't easy to swallow it sticks in the throatShe gave her heart to the man in the long black coat There are no mistakes in life some people sayIt is true sometimes you can see it that wayBut people don't live or die people just floatShe went with the man in the long black coat There's smoke on the water it's been there since JuneTree trunks uprooted beneath the high crescent moonFeel the pulse and vibration and the rumbling forceSomebody is out there beating on a dead horseShe never said nothing there was nothing she wroteShe gone with the man in the long black coat Patti Smith is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 3 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe