One of my favorite performers who passed away much too early is Harry Chapin. Some may remember his biggest hits like “Cat’s in the Cradle” or “Taxi.” Each of these songs is exemplary of his work as his songs told short stories. I have written before about my favorite one called “A Better Place to Be” where he tells two stories, one being recounted by a midnight watchman to a rotund waitress with the second one when she responds to his sadness.
But, a close second is called “Mr. Tanner” about a man who would sing while he worked. The lyrics follow, but listen to the song at the link below:
Mister Tanner was a cleaner from a town in the Midwest.
And of all the cleaning shops around he’d made his the best.
But he also was a baritone who sang while hanging clothes.
He practiced scales while pressing tails and sang at local shows.
His friends and neighbors praised the voice that poured out from his throat.
They said that he should use his gift instead of cleaning coats.
Chorus: But music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.
His friends kept working on him to try music out full time.
A big debut and rave reviews, a great career to climb.
Finally they got to him, he would take the fling.
A concert agent in New York agreed to have him sing.
And there were plane tickets, phone calls, money spent to rent the hall.
It took most of his savings but he gladly used them all.
The evening came, he took the stage, his face set in a smile.
And in the half filled hall the critics sat watching on the aisle.
But the concert was a blur to him, spatters of applause.
He did not know how well he sang, he only heard the flaws.
But the critics were concise, it only took four lines.
But no one could accuse them of being over kind.
(spoken) Mr. Martin Tanner, Baritone, of Dayton, Ohio made his
Town Hall debut last night. He came well prepared, but unfortunately
his presentation was not up to contemporary professional standards.
His voice lacks the range of tonal color necessary to make it
consistently interesting.
(sung) Full time consideration of another endeavor might be in order.
He came home to Dayton and was questioned by his friends.
Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never sang again,
excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed.
He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes.
Music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
(And) he did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.
His songs are reflective and poignant. Often, they leave you with melancholy. “Mr. Tanner” is no different. Yet, he also balanced these with some fun songs like the one where a truck load of bananas crashed in the middle of a small town. When he performed, he told you about the songs and then sang his stories.
Please do listen to this song and catch a few others while you are at it. He made you feel at home as he regaled you.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mr.+tanner&qpvt=mr.+tanner&FORM=VDRE
musingsofanoldfart 
I have to listen to the song, but the lyrics are as you say reflective and a bit melancholic.
Please do. Check out A Better Place to Be, as well. It is longer than Mr. Tanner.
Oh, cool. Will do! Thank you, Keith!
Have some tissue close by.
Oh, thank you, good advice… you know me 😀 I will listen to it as soon as I am at my laptop again😊
Keith, I too am a fan of Harry Chapin. The day he died I was driving home from work and heard it on the radio. I almost had an accident myself, I was so shocked. I had tickets to see him; however, a city workers’ strike caused cancellation of all things in city buildings. It was rescheduled but unfortunately, he passed away in the meantime. I didn’t cash in my ticket – I kept it as a reminder. Mr. Tanner is a very moving piece. Thanks for reminding me. I will have to get my boxed set of all his music and listen – it has been awhile. Another favourite of mine is W.O.L.D.
Lydia, your story with the postponed concert is meaningful. I wrote an earlier post a few years ago and rereading it reminded me he died on the way to a benefit concert. I also love WOLD and another called “I want to learn a love song” about how he met his wife. Like you, we set aside our CDs and then we will hear one of his songs on the radio. Thanks for sharing your story and affinity for our Harry. Keith
Yes I remember Harry Chapin songs. I didn’t know his name but they played his music on the radio. His words always told a story. This one Mr. Tanner is touching..
It is indeed. We re-listened to it and another one today. Thanks for commenting, Keith