[dar-list] Obscure (but amazing) SOTW: How Do I Work?

[Wood Alexander]

Ever since I got copies of Dar's first two tapes a few
years ago, thanks to Scott Green and his fundraising
project for the now-defunct Snowden Environmental
Trust, I have been amazed by some of the songs on them
that never made it to Dar's more widely distributed
albums --  particularly "How Do I Work?" and "For
Everyone."

I can't say I have any deep analysis of the lyrics of
"How Do I Work?" I didn't even know them all until I
found them on an Internet lyrics site today. The song
seems to be essentially a meditation on the artist's
life. But, to me, it's a stunningly beautiful song,
and a look into the soul of a stunningly beautiful
person.

My favorite passage is this one:

In class the teacher dressed in tweed
Said to fly around the room like milkweed.
And she told me I twirled like Martha Graham.
At the time I just turned away,
But if only she knew
How I danced in my room that night
When everyone had gone to sleep.

I know this SOTW is a little unfair in that this tape
is hard to get. But I hope those who know "How Do I
Work?" will contribute lots of thoughts, and I hope it
will one day make its way into wider distribution.

Alex

How Do I Work?
By Dar Williams
(From the tape "I Have No History")
Lyrics from http://www.lyricsmania.com

I chopped off that braid of hair.
My neighbor hooted and people stared,
So I tried to look haughty, more occupied.
I lost the weight, I go for walks,
Sometimes I'm out a hundred blocks.
And my clothes are like caverns in which I hide.
When I return the doorman's there.
Oh, if only he knew
The service
Not of his open door
But of his open smile to me.

CHORUS:
How do I work?
How am I put together?
I still do not know
Though it's late in the hour
Oh I have some ways to go.
How can I grow without just growing old?

I remember me as a child,
I often shrugged and seldom smiled.
In the mirror I asked, "Is this all I am?"
In class the teacher dressed in tweed
Said to fly around the room like milkweed.
And she told me I twirled like Martha Graham.
At the time I just turned away,
But if only she knew
How I danced in my room that night
When everyone had gone to sleep.

CHORUS

So now into my life of computer mail 
And a single mark hanging on its nail
Someone entered where no one has even tried.
Oh, there has been so much for me
Out of all the greatness in this small city.
I believe I have beauty coiled up inside.
Sometimes I think that I can be tapped
Just like a barrel.
Oh, I'm crazy, yeah.
I laugh at myself,
Another lonely kid grown up.

How can it work?
How can we live together?
I still do not know
Though it's late in the hour
Oh I have some ways to go.
Help me grow.
I'm just growing old.