Songwriter Sunday

Rosie's Piano

Not “Are You Afraid of the Dark Part 3”?!

Don’t worry. There will be more installments. I need some more time to feel ready to share more chapters of my life (that part at least). I appreciate your patience, friends.

From Steinways to Wurlitzers

I've been a piano tuning machine lately.

I mostly tune at schools, churches and venues nowadays, but I have the occasional residential tuning.

I headed to Grand River, IA a couple of weeks ago. Upon arrival, I saw a family sign at the beginning of the driveway that had "Ron *****" engraved in it (trying to keep their privacy). I was then greeted by a sweet woman named Rosemary (I've always loved that name).

I got to work, finished up the tuning and I asked her if she wanted to play it to see the difference (I like having clients try out the end result if they so choose). She kindly declined, and I asked her how long she's been playing the piano. She said she'd played most of her life, and that her husband loved when she played.

She then said, "Today is the anniversary of my husband's passing. I wanted to get the piano tuned today so that I could play some songs for him."

I nearly broke into tears on the spot. As someone who is a hopeless romantic, this didn’t just tug at my heart strings. My heart was on the floor.

I thought to myself…I hope someone does this for me one day.

I’m so fortunate to have had countless encounters like this one in my profession. I have many stories I could share, but this one felt extra special.

Rosie’s Piano

Songs write themselves with stories like these. I wrote this one tonight and thought I’d share it with all of you:

Rosie’s Piano

I made my way to ‘ol grand river

A town south of most everything

A couple miles away the roads were no longer paved

But the grasshoppers sure did sing

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I pulled up to a house, kept by 3 farm dogs

They all wanted love, like you and me

Out walked the sweetest little ‘ol lady

And said her name is Rosemary

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I always find myself wanting to know more

But time was of the essence, you see

So I went to her piano and made extra sure

That she’d be happy when I’d leave

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I asked her if she’d like to sit and play a tune

It sure would put a smile on my face

Instead of a song, I heard a story

About her true love leaving this place

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She said it hasn’t been the same since he’s been gone

I’m not always sure how to go on

But I thought if our piano were in tune

I could play him a song or two

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I packed up my tools and picked up my heart

Oh, the hopeless romantic in me cried

I knew I couldn’t ever forget this place

Or the face of one who said goodbye

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‘Cause she said it hasn’t been the same since he’s been gone

I’m not always sure how to go on

But I thought if our piano were in tune

I could play him a song or two

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It’s the anniversary of what we used to be

Ron and Rosemary

Sharing Time

I’d like to share the song I wrote tonight with you all, titled “Rosie’s Piano.” I took a video instead of making a voice recording this time. I thought it’d be nice to change things up a bit.

I can’t wait to share the back story to more of my songs with all of you, as well as my journey in music and life. Until next time.

See you in a week

If you’re reading this, thank you. I’m honored. And I can’t wait to continue on this journey via Substack with all of you! We’ll see what next Sunday brings.

To learn more about myself, follow my show schedule and hear my music: Kathryn Severing Fox's website

Photo by Linda Soukop

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