One of my favorite lines from the song “Back to Portland” -- favorite because it’s really true -- is “When you talk about your hometown like it’s someone you know, you know you’re from Portland.”  That sentiment is put into an old-fashioned call and response-type number in this week’s song, “An Old Friend To Me.”  There aren’t any recording tricks on this one -- just five people singing in harmony together (well, except that all five are me).  It’s intended to sound like the kind of old-fashioned song one associates with Norman Rockwell paintings while, hopefully, maintaining the off-beat modern urban sensibilities.  Too much to ask for one song?  Maybe.  But enjoy!

Lyrics:

My dearest Portland, my west coast home.
In you I’ll stay.  I’ll never roam.

In you is where I want to be,

Portland, you’re like an old friend to me.

Your scenic bridges, your evergreens,

Your quirky people, your urban scenes,

Your rain just soaks my heart with glee:

Portland, you’re like an old friend to me.

I’ve been around the country, I’ve lived in other places.

But something called me back to your green and growing spaces.

There’s nowhere I can go where I see the smiling faces

Of people going past, basking in their city’s graces.

As I grow older, my soul’s at rest.

I’m settled knowing the west is best.

In you is where I’m meant to be,

Portland, oh Portland, you’re like an old friend to me.