Went to see/exprience Ani DiFranco for the first time the other night. I have always liked her, she is such a powerhouse wrapped up in such a petite frame. As with most good artists her writings continue to morph as her life changes. In preparation for her concert I had been listening to her new album(funny I still refer to it as an album) Allergic to Water, and one song in particular has really grabbed a hold of me 'Rainy Parade'.

                                              "Rainy Parade"

Are you facing east or west
Or north or south?
When it gets cold outside
Do you get brought in
Or do you get left out?
Are you in the shade of something bigger
Or are you right out in the sun?
Are you down there in the trenches
Or at the top of the mountain?

Either way you better take your lemons
And make your lemonade
Life’s a rainy parade

Have you felt the longing in a seed?
Have you felt it swimming in its need?
Pushing through into the light
Then you know what I’m sayin’
When I’m sayin’ it’s gonna be alright

You just got to take your lemons
And make your lemonade
Have your rainy parade

Listen to the beating of the drum
Look at the smiles on everyone
Who says it’s better to be dry?
The mighty oak trees are so happy right now
They could cry

So you best better take your lemons
And make your lemonade

Have your rainy parade

                                          

I think it's the mix of good/bad, happy/sad at the thought of a rainy parade. It makes me think of when people ask, or when my therapist ask 'how are you?' I sort of feel bad cause I can never say, and truly mean it, that I'm good, or happy.  I usually respond with 'it's a bunch of things.'  And maybe you can never really be totally happy, and I guess the juxtaposition is that you're really never totally sad.

Are you facing east or west

T north or south?

When it gets cold outside

Do you get brought in

Or do you get left out?

Are you in the shade of something bigger

Or are you right out in the sun?

Are you down there in the trenches

Or at the top of the mountain?

Either way you better take your lemons

And make your lemonade

Life’s a rainy parade

Have you felt the longing in a seed?
Have you felt it swimming in its need?
Pushing through into the light
Then you know what I’m sayin’
When I’m sayin’ it’s gonna be alright

You just got to take your lemons
And make your lemonade
Have your rainy parade

Listen to the beating of the drum
Look at the smiles on everyone
Who says it’s better to be dry?
The mighty oak trees are so happy right now
They could cry

So you best better take your lemons
And make your lemonade
Have your rainy parade