media Crying on cue / EFO

Posted June 7, 2006 • Comments Off on Crying on cue / EFO

You know how actors are supposed to be able to “cry on cue,” and William H. Macy couldn’t do it, and he managed one single tear for that scene in Pleasantville, and then couldn’t turn it off and cried all damn day?

I can cry on cue. You know what does it? The song “In Paradise” by Eddie From Ohio. It’s a letter from a two-year-old girl to her parents. From heaven. I break down just describing it or remembering it, without even hearing the words.

Every so often it comes up in the shuffle, and I’m on the train or at work (like now) and I can’t just skip it, but as soon as it gets to the part about bedtime, it turns me into a complete wreck.

I don’t understand how Julie can sing this song without her voice breaking even once. I don’t even understand how Robbie wrote it. It’s one of the most beautiful and moving songs I’ve ever heard.

And my stupid desk is all wet.

This song is on the album Actually Not, which is an excellent sampler, containing as it does the showstopper “The Three Fine Daughters of Farmer Brown,” “Continents of Time,” a real favorite of mine, and the complex instrumental “Mimosas in Missouri.” Amazon link, with audio samples of all tracks.

“Farmer Brown” is also about girls who die, but that one makes me cheer, not cry. Some may recall the singing of the sirens lurin’ in the sailors who’d wreck and drown. Some say they still hear the fightin’ and the flirtin’ and the preachin’ of the daughters of Farmer Brown. It brings the house down. Deafening applause. There’s even a dance.

Anyway, that’s that song. This is this one. Just stop reading here. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

“In Paradise”

I woke up this morning
Went to pick up the mail
The routine that I always do
Probably find bills and catalogs
Full of junk I’d never use
As I reached in the box I felt a sensation
Didn’t know what it would mean
Then I pulled out a card
And I looked at the postmark
And it said P.O. Cloud 23
And I thank the heavens
For sending this letter to me

Dear Mommy and Daddy,
I asked God if he’d let me write
A letter to you
He said that he felt bad
About all the sad things
He was permitted to do

So he took me to Peter
And he asked him to help me
‘Cause I was too young to write words
So I climbed on his lap
And I leaned over to him
This is what St. Peter heard

Don’t you worry, don’t you cry
Don’t waste the energy wondering why
Reasons are clear
Safer here in paradise

Each morning I wake up
And the sun, it shines bright
And me and the other kids play
We eat lots of pretzels
And watch lots of Barney
Sing-along songs all the day

And at night before bedtime
I go visit Grandpa
He reads me a story or two
Then I gather my blanket
And head off to slumber
And dream about Daddy and you
Don’t you worry, don’t you cry
Don’t waste the energy wondering why
Reasons are clear
Safer here in paradise
I’ve gotta get going
St. Peter is calling
He’s got a new job for me
He says Katie, you make sure
The stars are all lined up
And twinkling as bright as can be

So take comfort together
That I’m doing fine
Just lay your tears down to rest
My spirit is there
And I’ll always be with you
Remembering two years the best
Don’t you worry, don’t you cry
Don’t waste the energy wondering why
Reasons are clear
Safer here in paradise