I’ve been to more funerals, or heard about the passing of people who I know, in 2022 than in any other year. And none of the deaths have been COVID related, It’s an indication I suppose of my own age and those of some of my peers. It’s led to me thinking about this on a few occasions recently.
The bar’s busier than it should be on a weekday afternoon as the door swings shut behind me, but I’m the only one wearing a suit. No-one seems to notice my entrance though, I suppose they must be used to mourners in the nearest pub to the crematorium. I don’t think I could’ve coped with the wake, I had to make a quick exit to be alone with my memories, I was sick of hearing everyone else’s. I buy a pint and sit down.
“See, the trouble with you is that you’re top heavy”, said the tailor as he measured me up. They don’t get asked much for three-piece suits these days, so my choice was limited. I went for all-purpose black, or ‘charcoal grey’ as he called it. Looks black to me. This is the second time I’ve worn it, the first was a wedding and there’s a christening next week, so I might as well get my money’s worth. Birth, love and death: the only reasons to get dressed up. I loosen my tie.
Halfway through my pint and a text message from John says he’s waiting outside, sooner than I’d expected. I down what’s left and step out into the bright afternoon and get in the car. I look up and see the pub’s once brilliant copper roof has oxidized over the years, and it’s now a dull, pastel green. Everything’s getting older
mp3: Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat – The Copper Top
Astonishingly beautiful, haunting and poignant. I well-up every single time.
From 2011’s Everything’s Getting Older, which was deservedly named winner of the Scottish Album of the Year in June 2012.
There’s a lovely video to accompany it.
It is a good song, but I made the mistake of watching the video.
This song stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it.
And continues to do so with every subsequent listen.