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Silvio's Songs

from With Love, From Cuba by Mike Evin

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    Bring a little of my Cuba trip home with you. All photos (front and back) are from my 2012 Cuba trip. Each postcard is dedicated to one of the cities in which I spent time in Cuba. On the back of each postcard, I write extensively about the songs that were inspired by that city.

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about

PHOTO - With Adriana and Darien in Trinidad

One night in the ultra-touristy town of Trinidad, I stumbled on a group of young people singing songs around an acoustic guitar in the street. I quickly realized they weren't busking. They seemed to be singing for their own pleasure, so I hung around on the fringe to listen. Eventually they got up to change locations, and one of them turned to me to say in Spanish, "You can come if you want".

We settled in the town square, and I listened as they sang songs from a big book of lyrics. The songs were beautiful and they sang passionately. I eventually got up the courage to ask whose songs they were singing, and they answered in unison: "Silvio". It just so happened I was beginning to read about the Cuban songwriter Silvio Rodriguez, so what a pleasure to witness his songs sung in such a setting. They soon asked if I played guitar, and requested some Beatles and Bob Dylan. We sang 'till the wee hours of the morning.

By the end of the night, the ice was broken. Over the next few days, I became friends with two from the group - Darien and Adriana. Darien ran a gallery and I'd go over and talk about music with him. He made a mix for me, and I reciprocated when I got back to Canada. His girlfriend Adriana gave me a free salsa lesson and gave me the homework of practicing with a broom. Beautiful people.

This song is about new friendships and transcending the hesitancy and vulnerability that comes with "showing up" to hang with new friends.

lyrics

Dear Darien, dear Adriana
I’m in Montreal, back in Canada
these old familiar streets
against a 4/4 beat
used to feel like home
I just gave to your friend Elena
a disc of music you might like
it kept me up all night

CHORUS 1:
I started with Silvio’s songs
and found out the night’s not so long
Silvio’s songs made their mark on me
but I think it was more how you’d sing
a night full of Silvio’s songs to me

I’m not one to show too much before I go
I walk away in lights, and never get to know
if I stayed a little longer
and played a little stronger
what would I see grow?
but in the morning I came to your gallery
to see if you remembered me
I almost stayed asleep

CHORUS 2:
We started with Silvio’s songs
and found out the night’s not so long
Silvio’s songs seemed intruiging to me
but now and forever they will be linked
to the way you sang Silvio’s songs to me

BRIDGE:
I’ll be back in Trinidad someday
Elena tells me that’s where you wanna stay
just when I begin to learn if I give more of myself
I get more love in return

Take care Darien, take care Adriana
from a new-found friend in Canada
it might take a while
so think of me and smile
soon we'll catch up in style
and when we run out of things to say
we’ll let the dancing lessons start
with open awkward hearts

CHORUS 3:
We started with Silvio’s songs
and found out the night’s not so long
Silvio’s songs lasted 'till way past three
But now they’ve become a memory
you singing Silvio’s songs
a night full of Silvio’s songs to me

credits

from With Love, From Cuba, released November 25, 2015
ME - piano, vocals
ZEPHIE JAMES - conga
IAN MACKAY - shaker

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Mike Evin Toronto, Ontario

The joyous spirit of piano-pop songwriter Mike Evin pulses through his music, uplifting and soulful. His heartfelt and melodic songs have found an enthusiastic audience across North America and the UK, and among renowned Canadian musicians like Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith. ... more

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