It Was My Beard (That Saved My Life)

[OdilonGreen]

Ted, in responding to one of my comments on one of his songs, noted that:

...I haven't learned what to expect from you yet. But your thoughtful comment is appreciated, and closes you off from the "pure goofball" category that had previously been available to you...

I appreciate the kind words and fully take this as a compliment, but let me be clear: I write goofball songs. I have absolutely nothing against serious songs, which (obviously!) can be completely wonderful and transformative, and I fully enjoy listening to thoughtful tracks. But it's not what I personally write, or want to write. At most, I like to think my songs occasionally touch upon something meaningful in their broader "goofball" context, as some (but certainly not all) of the best goofball songs do.¹

Sometimes, however, a song like this one about how a manly beard saved me from a pack of wolves is just that, with no deeper meaning whatsoever.

Other than, of course, that beards are awesome.

Fun fact: I broke out my stick mountain dulcimer for this track, which I'm still quite inexperienced with. But I do like the sound!

¹As an example, I point to one of my favorite original Weird Al songs, Skipper Dan. I find it genuinely and truly insightful about the nature of human hopes and dreams and as heartbreaking as it is goofy, and it is one of the handful songs I'm jealous of and that I truly wish I had written. (The preceding sentence is not ironic or sarcastic; I find it a pretty perfect song, and I idolize it).

VERSE 1

As a young man, a beard I grew
It felt like the right thing to do
I knew it deep down in my soul
That growing it would make me whole

One fateful night, a storm arose
The rain was fierce, the cold wind froze
Through moonless woods, my steps did stray
And I, afraid, had lost my way

I heard a rumble, so low and fierce
A sound that through my soul did pierce
A wolf pack near, their hunger deep
And me alone, an errant sheep

CHORUS

But do not ever doubt your beard
When caught with neither gun nor knife
For when all hope had disappeared
It was my beard that saved my life

VERSE 2

I tried to run from fate unkind
They bore down on me from behind
When it was clear I'd lose the race
I spun to stare them in the face.

I thought that I was surely dead
But first they stared, then bowed their heads
They looked at me, then backed away
As if I was predator, not the prey

For in my beard, the pack had sensed
Both wisdom vast and strength immense
A primal musk, they were ensared
By power of my facial hair

CHORUS

So do not ever doubt your beard
When caught with neither gun nor knife
For when all hope had disappeared
It was my beard that saved my life

BRIDGE / VERSE 3

And in my beard, the woods still lived,

The force of life, of nature's gift.

For through the hair upon my chin

They saw in me one of their kin

With a howl to the sky
They faded back into the night
And I swore right there and then
I would never shave again

CHORUS

So do not ever doubt your beard
When caught with neither gun nor knife
For when all hope had disappeared
It was my beard that saved my life

Please do not ever doubt your beard
When caught with neither gun nor knife
For when all hope had disappeared
It was my beard that saved my life

[Zoltan]

Goofball, or go home! Or something...

A cool song and the instrumentation makes it even quirkier.

Funnily enough... There was that beard song(s) coincidence, and now you mentioned Weird Al. Al did his first songs (album?) on a 4-track tape machine. At least that's what i've read.

[TPB]

Great song got me smiling my older brother wrote his masters thesis on beards and facial hair never thought it would pass but he nailed it the professor said he laugh for a hour reading it
Tim

[StephenM]

goofy?  goofball?  yeah, maybe a bit... but also clever and I like clever!  However I do try and stay away from adding an a to that word... as in I try and stay clear of the cleaver...
Leave it to beavers cleaver! 

fun song... funny song... goofy goodness...
I like your voice and I really like that instrument you mentioned...
interesting stuff... and something different!  Is that your name Odilon?  I don't think I have ever heard that ...

[Ted]

The dulcimer gives this such a warm, folky vibe - like a pro-beard song on a children's album. The distant percussion gives it sense of space, like being out in the woods.

There are moments where your voice reminds me of Sean Bonnette of the band AJJ – who himself beautifully balances his serious and goofball sides. (I knew Sean when he was very young – his mother and I were friends.)

Also: I'm a big fan of Weird Al. A brilliant lyricist, and one the best live bands I've ever seen.

Goof off and goof on.

[bruno]

Quirky and fun. Enjoyed that a lot.
B

[Farrell Jackson]

A fun story line and concept with your beard saving your life from the pack of wolves. The music fits the words and melody well. I like how the music pauses for the acapella section...cool harmonizing and song!

[Bluesberry]

Great wordplay...I love goofy stuff like this.....keep the fire burning...companion piece to CSNYs "Almost cut my hair"......sweet Lordy almighty

[BerryPatch]

Cool track Odilon! I dig all the percussion sounds thumping away in the back and the lovely flute. Reminds me of a song by the great 60s band The Shaggs but much less...chaotic shall we say . This one's a keeper!

[thetworegs]

I have it in my head he must be a pirate performing the song excellent backer gave it a piraty feel