RAK 12 Random Acts of Kindness
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12 Random Acts of Kindness
Not the organised sort from the web, but the completely spontaneous things that happen whilst travelling, often in the remotest places. All the examples in the song have happened to us, plus countless more that I couldn’t fit in! The ‘lemons from the harvest’ cover photos are from Galatos on the thumb of the Peloponnese, just across the narrow straights from the Isle of Poros, some time between Christmas 1977 and New Year 1978. For a bit of variation I tried starting with Mary’s piano part but it was very difficult to mix anything I did against her expressive style so this version is something of a hybrid between her freer piano parts and my guitar ‘against the clock’.
Random Acts of Kindness from Strangers (with Mary Davies piano)
F Dm
Some people like to travel where everything is planned
A Bb
In the finest detail for that great vacation
F Dm
The fear if it unravels keeps them settled in the sand
G C
In a safety bubble of their own creation
F Dm
So when I start to hanker for a wilder place to go
A Bb
They’re quick to highlight all the pressing dangers
F Dm
But what they need to ponder is the fact they’ll never know
C C7 F
Those random acts of kindness from strangers
Bb F C7 F
*Though it’s good to stay in places where the service is supreme
Bb F G C
And the staff are paid high wages to ensure the guest their dream
Bb Dm C
But isn’t it a higher gift to give it all for free
F Dm
From a cheery smile of welcome to a hiker on the trail
A Bb
Or a gifted orange plucked down from the tree
F Dm
Or the lunch box shared with pleasure whilst riding third by rail
G C
Or simply being invited in for tea
Dm Dm7 Dm F
^These are things that you can’t pay for, these are things that can’t be planned
Dm Dm7 F C7
And often it’s those with the least who show that open hand
F Dm
Yes there’s nothing in this world that uplifts or saves us
C C7 F
Like those random acts of kindness from strangers
Repeat (as instrumental till *) replacing section ^ with:
A lemon from the harvest, a pepper for the stew
A lift from Venice down to Napoli
A push-start or a wheel-change, a wedding lunch for two
An unexpected gift for you and me