Margaritaville
As I sat on a train bound for Parma, Italy, a few mornings ago, my heart sank when I read the news of Jimmy Buffet's passing. Holding back the tears welling up in my eyes was not an option. I could feel them slowly beginning to drop as the lump in my throat grew larger with each lulling bump of the train. I felt a sense of numbness, or maybe even loneliness, wash over me. It is an odd feeling to experience a void and to miss a person whom you have never met. But that was the overarching feeling. Not able to think much past this void, I could only hear him singing in French.
"Chanson pour les petits enfants, Chason pour toute le monde" (Song for the children, Song for everyone."
Perhaps my favorite song written by him was Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants.
“Now young Mister Moon flew away in the night
With his best friend Magnus right by his side
They soared through the Milky Way, counting the stars
Once around Venus, twice around Mars
Then they spied an island rise out of the sea
They fell back to Earth just as free as you please
The children all gathered, the church bells did ring
Suddenly, everyone started to sing
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
Queen of the island she welcomed them in
Asking 'em questions of where they had been
She offered 'em chocolate, she offered them tea
They all took their seats in the top of a tree
And racoons brought wine and the mice they brought cheese
Beautiful birds floated by on the breeze
From out in the oceans the dolphins began
Humming a tune that soon covered the land
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
So young Princess Leia brought coral and pearls
Gifts to the travelers from some other world
The Bushdoctor mixed up a magical spell
Swore them to secrecy never to tell
So young Mister Moon flew away in the night
With his best friend Magnus still right by his side
The sun was just rising, they'd be home by noon
Humming the words to this magical tune
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour tout le monde
Chanson pour les petits enfants (song for children)
Chanson pour tout le monde (song for the world)
Chanson pour les petits enfants (song for children)
Chanson pour tout le monde (song for the world)”
I used to sing and hum parts of this song to my children when they cried inconsolably as infants; I am sure it did more to calm me than them. Later in my career as an elementary teacher, I would play it in the morning to begin our school day. It was a simple ritual to remind my students everything in that classroom space was about them, as the song ends with the final words, "Song for the children, song for the world."
Mr. Buffet and his music have had a strong influence on me throughout the various stages of my life. From an early age, his lyrics and later his books led me to dream of tropical vacations and seek out casual vibes. Ultimately, he inspired me to travel throughout the Caribbean for almost a decade of my life. This is the hallmark of a good writer, isn't it? Selling you an idea or a thought so compellingly that it makes you crave to be a part of it and connect with it.
As a writer, I am fascinated by Buffet's talent for storytelling. Somehow, he had a unique ability to weave his words together and convey a complete story within just a few minutes. Two of my favorites will always be "A Pirate Looks At Forty" and "He Went to Paris," each song nudging the listener to lean into living life on their own terms. Buffet's portfolio also includes many reflective tunes that encourage people not to lose hope in the wake of challenges. "Breath In, Breath Out" is a touching tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and a reminder to embrace the present. — In any case, many of his songs have an underlying message reminding listeners to relax and take life one day at a time. A perspective wholly contrary, yet refreshing to what society taught me about life while I was growing up.
I am not sure how to imagine a world without Jimmy Buffet, given that his songs have been a constant presence throughout my life. There has never been a moment when I have slipped on or off a pair of flip-flops or held a salt shaker and not begun singing Margaritaville.
Though I am uncertain about how to process the void Jimmy's passing leaves, I do believe he would want us all to keep on keeping on. His words and music will always remain, and that is perhaps where the beauty lies in his passing—he will never truly be gone.
Thank you, Jimmy.
—M
Also, just in case you would like to have a listen to Chanson Pour Les Petits Enfants, here is a lovely segment and example of Jimmy Buffet's spirit. The song begins at 6:13. Enjoy!
