A different kind of glorious

Maybe you’ve seen this video, which has gone viral. I just saw it now and it moved me to tears. An old, battered piano was set up in downtown Edmonton, for anyone to play, and when this man — Ryan Arcand, who’s been homeless for 30 years — sat down to play his own composition, a passerby was so moved she captured it on video. I’m so glad she did. Nothing to do with David… but everything to do with David, you know?

Here’s more about his story.

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13 Responses to A different kind of glorious

  1. Mandaberry says:

    I love this. Thank you.

  2. missbianca says:

    Everyone has something to give, don’t they? Homeless for 30 years…so sad.

    • amb4da says:

      I know, how does someone even survive that long, homeless?
      Made me think about that quote “There but for the grace of God go I”…because of circumstances, maybe choices, whatever…people can fall through the cracks in society.

  3. amb4da says:

    Tks for sharing…I hadn’t seen this.
    At the risk of adding any cynical note here…someone’s comment on the article about him did make an ironic point:
    “HOW IRONIC:he plays because of his passion, and for FREE, and still gets banned and kicked out of places for being intoxicated while playing- YET, our city will endorse bringing in artists with an attitude of entitlement who perform for money on stage WHILE being drunk and stoned… and people line up in hoards to pay for and watch those performances… and those artists still get invited back. Wow… it’s really the truth, Ryan’s not the only one who’s “broken” in this equation.”

    “Nothing to do with David…but everything to do with David”…somehow I think I get you on that.

    Mysterious, magical music. A whole different messenger with a similar gift. Makes you take it in in a whole bigger perspective…Hard to explain.
    That music was beautiful and soothing.
    Anyway, thanks for posting.

  4. Refnaf says:

    Amazing…. I just saw this vid and then came here and saw your post TOfan!
    MUSIC is so much more than what the mind can understand. **tears** I read the CBC article and it quoted him as saying ” I love everybody… I don’t know if they love me but I love people”
    Wow

    “Nothing to do with David…but everything to do with David……”
    Wow…..

  5. peppertara says:

    You never know what may be behind someone’s eyes or demeanor. There must be many people out their, homeless, who may harbour hidden talents, gifts and abilities that long to be shared. Glad he was able to share his, bless his heart. His music is wonderful and moving as is this story. Yes, definitely a different kind of Glorious. “Nothing to do with David…but everything to do with David……” love that too.
    I read that “HOW IRONIC” comment and I agree, there is much truth in that. Thanks for sharing this TOfan, hadn’t seen this one. Very touching.

  6. TOfan says:

    So you can buy David’s song “When the Son of Man Comes Again” from the Redeemer album on Canadian iTunes now!!!! Sidenote: The production on that song may not be as polished as Glorious, but I actually think I like the song more, especially when it starts building.

    Oh, and love this!

  7. betsy says:

    Thanks for posting this. I just this minute saw it. Can’t talk yet. It’ll be awhile.

  8. TOfan says:

    The man has spoken!

    His embrace of hashtags gives me hope for the future. 🙂

  9. TXNancy says:

    Just watched this….oh my, tears! It is ‘glorious’ in a special way, isn’t it?

    “Nothing to do with David…..but everything to do with David” Exactly, Deb! Even your words made me teary. We ‘get’ David. So does everyone he works with, it seems. Listen to the introduction by Jason Deere last night, before the Nashville Tribute Band sang ‘David’s song’ on their new CD:
    .youtube.com/embed/-zuRu48v

  10. TXNancy says:

    Sorry….will try to post the link again:

  11. pabuckie says:

    He wrote that….how beautiful…so many hidden talents in people…I really feel the homeless people. Thanks for sharing that….”everyone plays a piece, and there are melodies…in each one of us.”

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