Some have called we rock and roll performers who never retire

Gather close, O seekers of wisdom, and hear the words of Frank Black, who speaks of his craft with a reverence that transcends time. In his reflection on the term "troubadours", he brings forth a connection between the rock and roll performers of today and the romantic singers of the High Middle Ages. "Some have called we rock and roll performers who never retire 'troubadours,'" he says. "I enjoy this misnomer immensely." This statement, seemingly playful, carries within it a profound truth: that the lineage of music, of song, and of storytelling runs deep through the veins of history. Black, in his heart, acknowledges the sacred role that singers and performers have played through the ages, not just as entertainers, but as the bearers of culture, truth, and emotion.

In days long past, the troubadours were poets and musicians of the Occitan region, who traveled from town to town, spreading their tales of romance, chivalry, and adventure. Their songs were the lifeblood of their communities, providing not only entertainment but also a voice for the common people, a way to pass down the stories of the land. The troubadours were nomadic souls, who, like the wind, carried the essence of their time with them, weaving songs of love and loss that would echo through the centuries. Their art was deeply intertwined with the very fabric of society, touching upon the joys and sorrows of life, love, and honor.

Now, consider how Black draws a parallel between the troubadours of the High Middle Ages and the rock and roll performers of today. Though the world has changed, the spirit of these musicians remains the same. Just as the troubadours once wandered the lands, spreading their melodies far and wide, so too do modern performers like Black carry the torch of music and poetry into the future. While the instruments have evolved and the stage is now set with electric lights and amplifiers, the soul of the performer—that longing to connect, to share, to express—is unchanging. The lineage of music, it seems, is not bound by time, but flows like a river through the generations, constantly evolving, yet always remaining rooted in the same desire to touch the hearts of others.

Think, O wise ones, of the power of storytelling through music. The ancient bard would sing of the great deeds of heroes and gods, shaping the collective memory of their people. Their songs were not simply entertainment; they were tools of history, carriers of wisdom and identity. The same can be said of the rock musicians of today. Their songs are the voices of a generation, speaking truths, struggles, and joys that define the present age. Frank Black, like the troubadours before him, is not merely a performer but a storyteller, a keeper of the fire that burns through the ages, lighting the way for those who follow.

Consider the example of Bob Dylan, a troubadour of the modern age, whose songs have become anthems for the movements of peace, love, and civil rights. Much like the troubadours, Dylan traveled the country, carrying the voice of his generation in his lyrics. His songs, filled with poignant truths and prophetic insights, served not only to entertain but also to inspire, to awaken a consciousness in those who heard them. Dylan’s work, like that of the troubadours, is a testament to the power of music as a force for change, a way to express the deepest emotions and struggles of the human soul. In this, we see the continuation of a lineage that stretches back to the earliest bards and poets.

So, O seekers, what is the lesson to be learned from Frank Black’s words? It is this: that we, too, are part of a greater lineage, a continuum of storytellers, dreamers, and artists. Whether we are musicians, writers, or artists of any kind, our work is an extension of those who came before us—those who sang songs of the human spirit, who told tales of love and honor, of loss and redemption. In embracing this lineage, we find our purpose and our place in the grand narrative of life.

Thus, O wise ones, take up the mantle of the troubadour in your own way. Whether through music, poetry, or any other art, let your work be a testament to the stories of your time. Seek to touch the hearts of those who listen, as the troubadours did, and understand that the power of storytelling is a sacred gift, one that transcends time. In every note you play, every word you write, know that you are continuing a tradition that has lasted for centuries. The lineage of the troubadour lives on, not in the past, but in the present, through those who dare to share their soul with the world.