Wishing You Well (Another Solstice)

While reviewing holiday material over on ccMixter I was inspired to write something new after listening to essesq's "My Prayer for You" (https://ccmixter.org/files/essesq/34946). None of that material was used as a source, it was just a jumping-off point.

This is also partly inspired by "The Parting Glass", had it been written for a jazz/honky tonk piano accompaniment (one can sing the first four lines of each verse to that tune, actually). The MIDI piano track I used to perform with is included here as a stem, along with the resulting mix preview. Bluesy Em at 80bpm.

Lyrics D A Ayer 2023-11-27
Another turn around the sun
leaves four more seasons wrapped and done
as newborn faces find the sky
that some old friends have left behind…

I wish you well as we each pass into the next.
I wish you well in your encounter with the Sphinx.
Someday perhaps we’ll meet again and trade some stories from our quests
but just in case I’ll bless your wanderings, discoveries, and jests
and wish you well. I wish you well.

Do you believe in heaven’s grace
and life transcending time and space
or do you venture all alone
into a universe unknown?

I wish you well as we leap forward toward the light.
I wish you well as you confront the inky void.
Perhaps in time we’ll find our faiths entwined in revelations new
but for tonight I’ll raise a glass and drink to both our points of view
and wish us well. I wish you well.

Another turn around the sun
and four more seasons yet to come
will find me standing here again
if I’m as lucky as I’ve been…

I wish you well throughout the days that lie ahead.
I wish you well in all your ventures great and small.
Perhaps next year we’ll meet again to trade our stories and some cheer
but here’s another toast perchance one or the other can’t be here
to wish us well. I wish you well. ...More