A Response to the Cowboy Junkies' "Follower 2"

Tonight, I'm writing about a song by the Cowboy Junkies.  They're a band based out of Toronto who combine rock, blues, folk, country, psychedelia, and other elements into their music.  In 1986, Michael Timmins put together a band with two of his siblings (Margo and Peter) and Alan Anton.  Jeff Bird has been the unofficial 5th Cowboy Junkie ever since the recording of 1988's the Trinity Sessions, an album that reached platinum status in the states.

A few years ago, I came across a set of their's from 2008 Newport Folk Festival where they played music from their recent album At the End of Paths Taken.  There was a song that stood out to me called "Follower 2."  It didn't stand out just for the power in the music, or the curious title, but also
how cathartic it sounds when Margo sings of rain pouring down.  I started reading the lyrics that Michael had written (rather than just getting lost in the performance), and found that the song was about an extremely difficult part of people's lives.

It's about the death of a father.  The song begins with person recounting a childhood where their father was an inspiring figure that his children held in the highest esteem.  The lyrics nostalgically talk about the stories he told, and little (otherwise trivial) sensations, like loose change in his pockets.  As the song courses forward, we as listeners hear about this person looking over his father decades later, as this heroic figure is dying.  There's a line that struck a particular chord with me, where he talks about the devastating feeling to be in that last room together, and hearing his parent's labored breathing.  It's something that I've gone through a few times with loved ones, and I imagine that most of you can also relate to this.  It gives all the more meaning to what he chose as the refrain.  With a repetition of a mantra, fighting back tears of grief (and in the midst of this rain), the person is telling himself something with a double meaning.  In a physical sense, "Here you will always be behind me, and you will not go away." could be a cry out of shock and disbelief, but it then stands as true in a spiritual sense.

When not covering Lou Reed, or revamping "Blue Moon," the Cowboy Junkies are known for tackling heavy subjects in their songs.  The songs may sometimes be difficult to for people to think about, but I think that the beauty in the music is undeniable.