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Sprites, goblins, imps and fairies have all gone bump in my night. So, arising like a kraken from my subconscious”¦
This song turned down a few blind alleys before arriving where it is. I found it hard to give it form. I had been trying to give the impression of something Pied Piper-ish, or Faustian about my anti-hero with some menace and circus freakery about him as well. A not-everything-is-as-it-seams effect. Layers of ambiguity. I don’t think I succeeded. Maybe this is not the song.
Point of note: Originally the 4th line was “fuck it all” instead of “stuff it all” and I still regret a little not sticking to my original idea, but I was just uncomfortable with it. What do you think? I just know that a fair proportion of my live audience are reactionary about language (ageing folkies). Should I have stuck to my guns?
Musically I can’t help thinking it’s caught halfway between a jig and a march with a jazzed-up middle bit. It’s a bear to play. It’s one of these guitar parts that has no one single overly-tough bit, but almost every phrase is fluff inducing and the whole thing demands my full attention to get through it.
The Little Tinker
How d’you do? I’m a little tinker
And I am here to have a ball
And you can join me if you want to
All you have to do is stuff it all
I’ve been in and out of wedlock
I keep forgetting my house keys
But there’s another little lady
So dear ’till I hear her beck and call
I’ve been around and around
I’ve seen the great days
I’ve been with the movers and the shakers
Napoleon, Elton John; I’ve seen them all
You know, I really had to come here
’cause I heard you were so nice
I hope I’ve made a good impression
Now please, on your knees and prepare to fall
© 2008 Dave Keir
