I’m amazed by how music speaks to us.

For so long, I thought I had some unique challenge in hearing the words of a song. I’ve since learned that many people experience music this way, through feeling and emotion, without fully comprehending the words… that’s my experience. I’m always amazed by people who can hear a song for the first time and then sing along. For me, the feeling and sense of meaning often arrive long before I understand what the actual words are saying.

A group of us are preparing a float for the annual Pumpkinfest parade in Wellington, here in Prince Edward County. I’ve been asked to drive my orange tractor, pulling the hay wagon my friend Jo gifted to me and the farm. Our theme song is The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead.

I’ve always loved Crash Test Dummies… their voices and folk-like lyrics. P.S. I can sing the low and high parts, lol. When the song came up, I started listening to it again and again. It kept speaking to me. Finally, I said to myself, I have to understand the meaning of this song. And then, as often happens, its words and its meaning spoke to me so deeply.

The song was written by Andy Partridge and first released by XTC in 1992. In describing its beginnings, Partridge wondered what would happen to someone whose way of living encouraged people to be more humane, generous and loving, and why that person might threaten those in power.

I picture Peter as this quirky, redheaded, kind and humble person. Someone who loves openly and gives what he can. His generosity and honesty draw people to him, while some of those in power feel challenged and turn against him.

There is also Peter’s acceptance of love, something so simple and generous, even as others try to disgrace him.

Peter Pumpkinhead put to shame

Governments who would slur his name

Plots and sex scandals failed outright

Peter merely said

Any kind of love is alright

Yet the refrain keeps returning to the enemies he makes.

But he made too many enemies

Of the people who would keep us on our knees

Hooray for Peter Pumpkin

Who’ll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead?

Understanding the story brought me into a deeper reflection on the world we’ve created, the world we live in, and on my own life.

Peter’s humility, generosity and love are so beautiful. I find myself wondering how someone comes to live so authentically from that place. What allows us to remain open to one another, to share what we have, and to see another person’s dignity even when their life is different from our own? And why can that way of being, which holds so much possibility and truth for us, also be met with fear?

I think about our desire to care for one another, and the ways fear can keep us protecting what we know or believe to be true. I wonder how often we recognise that tension within ourselves. The moments when we feel moved to reach towards someone, yet hesitate or don’t. The times when something unfamiliar asks us to look again at what we believe. How much of our free will is impaired by fear and bias and power? Peter’s story leaves me thinking about what we might discover if we could stay kind and curious a little longer, present and open a little longer.

I think, too, about the people who have so generously shared their life stories with me through The Sincerely Show and beyond. People who have dedicated their lives to service and contribution. Most have experienced profoundly shaking, life-altering periods or moments. As I listen, I find myself wondering about the love that sustained them, the people who helped them, and how their experiences have shaped what they now offer the world. So many have shared with me how they would not wish their journey on another, how they feel spared, and how they have emerged more open, present, loving, kind and curious. More like Peter.

Over the past several days, I’ve been bringing this research together into frameworks for my advisory, speaking and teaching work. Spending time with these stories, I continue to discover things I hadn’t understood when I first heard them. I’m grateful for the space to listen, to allow my understanding to develop, and to consider how I might share what I’m learning.

Then comes the final verse.

Peter Pumpkinhead was too good

Had him nailed to a chunk of wood

He died grinning on live TV

Hanging there he looked a lot like you

And an awful lot like me!

I keep returning to this verse. The cruelty of what happens to Peter, and then the recognition of ourselves in him. It brings me back to the Peters in our lives, the people whose way of being reminds us of what is possible and deeply true within us. People we can honour and learn from, whose kindness, humility, courage and contribution stay with us.

Perhaps honouring them includes bringing more of ourselves to one another. Sharing what we have learned, what we can offer, and the love we carry.

As we prepare for the parade and the pumpkins continue to grow, I’m still listening. I’m amazed that a song chosen for our float has brought me deeper into all of this, and grateful that I have the space to be.

Grateful for all of you!!

Thank you, Peter Pumpkinhead!