I’m taking an online creative writing course, Courting the Muse, offered by Cassaundra W. Bennett. One of my writing assignments suggested that I listened to music with which I am unfamiliar. I listened to a musical arrangement that was a bit different from my usual listening choices.

I listened to an a capella piece performed by Anna Kendrick using plastic cups as “accompaniment. At first listen, I didn’t care about the cups. Anna has a good voice and I was totally engaged by the lyrics.

I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round
The one with the prettiest of views
It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers, it’s got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

I like the tone of her request for this person she’s singing to join her. She doesn’t beg; there’s no angst or anger in her voice. The person she’s singing to means something to her but she’s strong enough in herself to go without him.

Her offer is almost off-the-cuff. Or perhaps simply relaxed. Maturity and a bit of humor,  “you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone, you’re gonna miss me by my hair, you’re gonna miss me everywhere, oh, you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.”

I hear hope with enough experience to know that she may not get what she wants this time.

After a few listens, the cups relinquish their side. She is someone who has just enough to get by. She doesn’t need any more; doesn’t want any more. She’s playing cups. Would she play something else if she could?

Letting go. She’ll let him go. If I shift how I listen, I can hear a mournful tone. She knows she’s already lost him, but she has to ask anyway. She is brave enough to ask and courageous enough to hear the answer. She’s willing to be vulnerable; strong enough to be vulnerable. She is strong enough to resist following another.

How vulnerable am I willing to be? Am I strong enough to be as vulnerable as I am?

I got my ticket for the long way ‘round
Two bottle ‘a whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I’m leaving tomorrow, wha-do-ya say?

I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round
The one with the prettiest of views
It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers, it’s got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Scene from the movie Pitch Perfect, Anna Kendrick – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcl_FkA0qJA

Entire song; song only – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n06IejXZZFs