Playing for Free by Joni Mitchell
I slept last night in a good hotel. I went shopping today for jewels
The wind rushed around in the dirty town and the children let out from the schools
I was standing on a noisy corner waiting for the walking green
Across the street he stood and he played real good on his clarinet for free.
Now me I play for fortunes and those velvet curtain calls
I’ve got a black limousine and two gentlemen escorting me to the halls
And I play if you have the money or if you’re a friend to me
But the one man band by the quick lunch stand, he was playing real good for free
Nobody stopped to hear him though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never been on their T.V. So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song Maybe put on a harmony
I heard his refrain As the signal changed He was playing real good for free.
I don’t know why but the lyrics of this song struck me deeply this morning. Joni is saying by now she is a rising star and plays for fortunes and fame. She has the limo and escorts and the velvet curtain calls. But she notices this guy who is playing his clarinet high and clear with skill for free. She thinks about going over to request a song or harmonize with him but the light changed and the thought is fleeting. Still she is struck by the skill of this one man band and the fact that he would play for free…
Do you sing your song for free? Do you continue to do your hidden work without the accolades and recognition of fame and fortune? I stand and give my applause to this humble man with a song and joy in his heart to share with no tangible reward in sight.
When you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. (Matt. 6:6) But those who exalt themselves will be humbled and the humble exalted.(Mat. 23:12)
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