The Unbreakable Bond Between Poetry and Song

"Music has a poetry of its own, and that poetry is called melody." –Joshua Logan

Last week, I performed a solo acoustic show in the Canadian Prairies, armed with just my guitar, harmonica, and voice. I played songs from my last 14 albums, along with some new ones written on the road. After the show, fans gathered at the merch table, sharing how much they loved the stripped-down versions of the songs and the stories behind them. It’s always a pleasure to connect with music lovers worldwide—there’s a special spark and curiosity in their eyes and minds.

Some fans mentioned enjoying both my songs and my poetry. I thanked them but said I see myself as a songwriter. Truthfully, that’s a bit of a lazy response. A song is more than just lyrics—it’s a story, an emotion, and yes, the lyrics are poetry.

Poetry and song, I imagine, have existed since the dawn of time, carrying news, emotions, and experiences—good or bad, happy or sad. Like a song, poetry is a literary art that conveys feelings and ideas with a distinct style and rhythm. Take my song *Courage Comes*, inspired by the bravery of people I know and others I’ve heard of. It may seem straightforward, but there’s more to it. Any art form, including poetry, requires courage to stand before a crowd and bare your soul. I can only imagine how poets and artists in history were shunned or misunderstood, yet their bravery paved the way for me to pursue my craft. I’m deeply grateful for their courage.

While we’re on the topic of poetry, here are two recent poems I wrote: *Highland Seas* and *To Get Through* (© 2025 Poke in the Eye Publishing / SOCAN / ASCAP).

Enjoy!

GB

Highland Seas – was inspired by a friend heading out to sea, sailing alone with a few books and

a guitar, just wanting to get away from everything and perhaps find something new….

HIGHLAND SEAS

Fly free – sail the breeze

Strum a chord – feel at ease

Close your eyes – till you see

Ocean waves – the melody.

Lost but not – found by few

Sail your heart – Horizons new

Thunder storms – beyond the norms

Prevailing winds – a strength is born.

Day will come – night recedes

Be re-born – on highland seas

Be re-born – on highland seas….

To Get Through – inspired by the world around us today

TO GET THROUGH

Some can wait forever – some can live in blue

Some have questions – they want the answers

Time is a constant – constantly renewed

Forever changing – won’t be refused.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – To get through

Confused by the moment – confused by the light

Shinning down – on us tonight

If the sky holds the answer and stars won’t shine

Will there be peace – in our time.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – To get through

Will we know the truth – is it peace on earth

Or pieces of the truth – To get through

Days are getting darker – ridiculous the norm

We’re all working harder – just to be born

If the sky knows the limit and stars won’t shine

Will there be peace in our time.

We need all your love and the stars above

To get through – to get through…