my sweater of no use by michael hermiston ©️ (original)

upon hearing of "warnings of a bloodbath" if the US election doesn't go a certain way, i think we are all contemplate the mess our politicians have created.....
i recorded this quick tune
m.h: vocal, trumpet, one hand piano, faux-drum
lyrics:
in an old woollen sweater, faded with holes
while outside cold rain, and wind of chaos blows
my comforting chair, quiet pages of thought
but the rapping on my window, attention is sought
chapter upon chapter, my dramatic tale goes on
while outside bedlam and tumult, battle on my lawn
carnage and mayhem and greed tear up the place
fence and garden obliterated at accelerated pace
how can i continue, absorbed in imaginary world
the noise and destruction, threats thrown, rocks hurled
now they are banging on my door, window shattered
i fold the corner of a page, close the covers, thoughts scattered
why did i do nothing, letting madness grow outside
after learning of the patterns, in history i denied
now my house is crumbling, my sweater of no use
against those who hate and fear, with bloodshed and abuse

[@nllleonard]

I admire and appreciate the truth you always tell, Michael. It does make a difference and it makes a difference to me. I agree that there is little solace in these times and no respite either, but it is a comfort and an encouragement to me that you take a stand and that you are there.

[@michaelhermiston]

aw...thanks, NAncy...i really appreciate your words... i am certainly torn between making joyous feel good tunes and telling the world how i feel about stuff....it's rare that i can do both in one tune...hence the plethora of writings....as with the great poets and writers who are long gone, their scribblings help us all realize that love, and beauty and struggles have always been and will go on .......!!! a beautiful Wednesday to you!!! 🌅🌞🌈☂🫐🧸🦋🐇🥂🕊🎶🎵❤🙏🏾

[@manriq47]

Don’t give up hope (yep, I still believe in keeping hope alive). One of my favorite Gandhi quotes is: “Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always.” The tyrant’s time is coming and justice will be done. Great thought provoking song. Peace. ~ Mark

[@stefenmangtun3036]

Absolutely wonderful sharing!! Thank you for sharing beautiful content with us!! Big like!!

[@carlobell32]

A really beautiful song by you dearest Michael .. excellent !!!! Happy new week to you in music ... big big like !!!

[@bernardbigorgne2535]

Excellent prestation dear Michael ....Bernard

[@zepp2498]

Yes,....politicians...I can only agree with you, Michael. Your song is beautiful , deep. Thank you for sharing . Like 👍

[@RoseAkerman]

Somehow we have to stop the madness! Wonderful song Michael.

Hello.. Congratulations on this lovely performance. I like.. Have a good week Danielle.

[@beeetleboy518]

Stunning Michael loved it 👍👍👍🎸😎🎸 BB ☘☘☘☘ (👍)

[@alfonsdemunter]

Hallo Michael, this is a great original and performance my dear friend, sounds absolutely fantastic ! 👍👍 BIG like. I wish you all the best ... Fons.

[@kathyshortt353]

Hard to throw those old sweaters away great lyrics and performance Michael!!♥♥♥

[@nellys-magical-minstrel-music]

Thank you so much! 🙏💞With that amazing song I don't feel less alone and helpless with my thoughts. Awesome lyrics and performance! ❤☮🎵

When it's cold outside I guess your sweater is better than no sweater!👍👍👍

[@rhopen]

Hi Michael, this is a very fine and stirring song and the sweater metaphor is not lost on me at all. Great. 🎶Ron

[@BrianNeil]

Excellent Michael.

[@therealrosswhite]

Michael the small things are our sanctuary and you are the same as me I think, as long as you have the small things, the bigger things don’t matter, like the mayhem and carnage. Absolutely stunningly beautiful as always sir . All my best always 🙏🙏 Ross

[@SharamGill]

The world is changing, and it doesn’t feel good. I find myself withdrawing more and more. Love your song, Michael. The emptiness in the accompaniment made it all the more powerful.

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks Sharam...'tis truly so, changing enormously, the wealth gap, the concentration of power, the lessening of respect for basic human rights by hegemonies, i'm wishing you peace🕊🎶🎵🌈♥️🌞

[@caramoonlynn]

This song is inspirational in so many ways!

[@joedewberry]

Michael this is a beautiful but sad song. You sang it perfectly.

[@davidmeister_ch]

Awesome imagery, Michael. A lot of us seem so preoccupied by our life that we don't realize the dangers coming from the outside world. I do hope the madness will be stopped somehow and try to do what I can to make it happen. Thank you for your thoughts and beautiful song!

[@FedericoBorluzzi]

I love your song, so deep and elegant as always!

[@pianothingsmusic]

What a great song, Michael ☺️

[@elisalouise2678]

Brilllllllllllliant, Michael !!!!!!!!!!!!!! This old woolen sweater seemed so secure....a very scary song .... just as the world is . Effective percussion and judicious trumpet !!!! Bravoooo for the inspiration and speed !!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 (great video, pity we cannot see the title of the book :)

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks a million! it is "Doppelganger" by Naomi Klein ☮️🕊🎩🚴🏽🦋🍓🙏🏾🌞

[@elisalouise2678]

@@michaelhermiston Thankssss !!! I know of her fame as an activist, but I have never read her books.

[@michaelhermiston]

it's triggered by the public's confusion between Naomi Wolf a feminist and Naomi Klein, an activist

[@drychaf]

Salut, Elisa, de Nîmes! I head back to the cold dark north tomorrow, but have enjoyed a week in the sun-kissed centres of this town, Montpellier, Arles & Avignon. I needed it. It continued to rain in Wales the whole time I was here. It's rained frequently since August!! The worst period of miserable weather since 2014 into 2015. I shall spend a few nights in Arras (avec des amis) before heading home - by which time I really hope the Spring will have started to bring better prospects.

[@elisalouise2678]

@@drychafHello dear Drycha ! :) Fantastic that you are in the area!!! :) I'm sure you know France better than me, as a professional globetrotter !!! I have never been to the north of France, above Paris :) Yes, the south-east of France is very sunny, but these towns are real furnaces in summer, and at that time, your beautiful, green and humid Wales seems like an oasis !!! 🐳🌴 Wish you a safe return with spring ! 🌺🌱🐦 (I am currently at our daughter's house (near Avignon) where I have come to look after our granddaughter until Tuesday.)

[@sofarsogut]

Ahhh !! It's a warning for 'Things to come' maybe . Great lyrics Micheal, well done

[@michaelhermiston]

'tis been a reality many time eh!! thanks so much!!!

[@PaulDes]

a beautidul song my friend !!

[@DanielKellyFolkMusic]

A very useful sweater! For some reason I thought of Edgar Allan Poe and his raven (or possibly pounding heart) while listening to this.

[@terrific-bats]

great work ! big thumbs up

[@CristinaS]

Hi Michael, your beautiful song perfectly reflects the thoughts and soul of many of us. We watch what is happening in disbelief and helplessness. Politics is in the hands of people who don't know how or don't want to move in the right direction. The poor continue to die and the powerful continue to get richer. The thought that everything could get even worse scares me. In my country we have gone backwards, as if history had taught us nothing. Left-wing politicians, instead of uniting forces aimed at simple people who have the right to be governed by serious people, continue to argue and divide us. Absurd! I am old now and the road that remains for me to travel is not far compared to what I have already done and seen, but I have lived my life honestly believing in justice, in equality, in the right to dignity... what do I leave to shoulders?

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks, i hear you Cristina ♥️... so often the problems in the world could be solved with a little negotiation, a little less ego and a little less nationalism, and definitely fewer weapons!! politicians seem to show no creativity, they do the same things that have shown don't work.....over and over!!! 'absurd' is definitely the right word!!!!

[@drychaf]

A well-told tale of chilling times. I'm sure your audience has similar anxieties. I do. Quite impressed by the physical quality of the book! I get through lots of paperbacks, but a nice hardback is a treat.

[@michaelhermiston]

sounds like you are avoiding 'chilly times' 🤣 say "hi" to Vincent's ghost while you are in Arles! et salut Cwm

[@drychaf]

@@michaelhermiston I said hello but he couldn't hear me 😉.

[@michaelhermiston]

i guess you should have leaned a bit more to the left ..... or to the right

[@gerhardpetertopp1482]

Impressive train of thought, appropriately set to music. A parable about global events, read a hundred times and yet learned nothing. At the same time, I feel like it speaks to the ambivalence of the conflicts in one's own life, world war outside and one's own toothache inside. What is more stressful. . .

[@michaelhermiston]

gotta find peace inside and at the same time, join the battle to smooth the world's conflicts ... the paradox of our damn big brains ... i wish you well, and thanks!!!🌎🧠🌈🕊🎵🌞

[@salmonfishandships]

A good one, super work my friend !

[@jimmymac30]

I was also discomforted by the bloodbath comments, and the threats and fear and madness are right outside our doors. What are we to do?

[@AxeMoose]

Yup

[@bamsdram]

What to do Michael, with these monsters running wild ......... ?

[@michaelhermiston]

... 'tis disgusting... imagine how sweet it would be if we had a bunch of nice kind people making decisions! 🌈♥💙🦋🍓🐥🌤🌷🕊🌞

[@bamsdram]

Make it soon !@@michaelhermiston

[@DannyHauger]

Do the clothes make the man? Or does the man make the music about the clothes? Reflective folk tune. Thanks

[@michaelhermiston]

haha good line! thanks!!!!!👔🦺👕👖🩴🎩🕶️🌂🙏🏾

[@janicerogers8023]

Exactly! How???

[@michaelhermiston]

i think we are all try to figure out what to do... thanks Janice🌈🕊🎵🙏🏾🌎😎

[@Herfortz]

With ME it's those pesky JEHOVAH WITNESSES who BANG on my DOOR at 9 AM !!!!!!

[@michaelhermiston]

🤣🤣🤣 i hear ya!!

[@EnormouslySmall]

I suggest a cotton sweater so no one can pull the wool over your eyes. Great song, Michael. Even with all the gaslighting, I think Trump is toast.

[@CutterJ]

You better hope Trump is not toast. If Biden is re-elected America will be toast! Good song, michael! Cutter & Ms C

[@EnormouslySmall]

@@CutterJ Hi, Cutter. Respectfully, I don't share your admiration for the guy, but you probably know that. I'm glad we find common ground in music and songwriting, however.

[@CutterJ]

@@EnormouslySmall not so much admiration for Trump, but admiration for our country, my friend. When you have an invasion of unvetted migrants, inflation where it is now, and an administration that promotes Transgenderism and allowing children to mutilate themselves when they aren’t considered old enough to make such decisions as getting a tattoo, driving, drinking beer, or voting, it’s time for a change, don’t you think. I would hope that any common sense minded person would agree. Cutter & Ms C

[@CutterJ]

@@EnormouslySmall not so much admiration for Trump, but admiration for America, my friend. Hopefully YT or michael won’t take this abbreviated version of my response off, Don. Cutter & Ms C