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about

Mitch Heisman was a friend and fellow creative, who's life work was "a book about the Norman invasion" that he would often briefly touch on during conversation. I remember, now in chilling retrospect, the way his eye sparkled when I asked him how he would market the book. He commented that he had that all planned and apparently he did.

I remember my talks with Mitch fondly. Trying to get him to watch my favorite movie (The Third man), talking about the creative process and the motivations behind it. He came to several of our shows in Somerville. He was a supportive and genuinely sweet, intelligent man.

On Yom Kippur, Saturday, September 18th 2010, with his book finally finished, Mitch set up an automated email with an attachment of his book, now titled "Suicide Note" set out some packages of the book in cd form for others to take to the post office and wrote notes to loved ones. He put on a white tuxedo and walked down to the Harvard Chapel steps, took out a 38 pistol and shot himself in the head.

The Boston Globe has the best article I read about Mitch: www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/09/27/book_details_motives_for_suicide_at_harvard/

Mitch is gone and we live in a world that is a little uglier without him. Many are angry, sad, and confused. We saw an usual man, but not the signs of his grand design. I am haunted by the conversations I wish I'd had with him.

lyrics

Lyrics Reprinted by Permission.
©2012 The Heartsleeves™, All Rights Reserved

Mitch

You were writing a book about the Norman invasion
I was writing songs to keep me calm
we had several talks about motives of creation
when we’d meet at Dave’s house
when the nights were still long

I had no idea about your intentions,
no hope to guess the scope of dimensions
dramatic plans for a quiet man
an architect of nihilism

You put on your white tuxedo
adjusted your cummerbund and tie
you walked down to Harvard sq
on Yom Kippur

I got your email
and I got the attachment
but you never got to read my reaction
you were already lying in front of the chapel
when I sent my reply

You were looking for
all encompassing meaning
a thesis steers off
with no one there intervening
searching for a narrative
beyond context no one can see

You put on your white tuxedo
adjusted your cummerbund and tie
You loaded your 38
on Yom Kippur

why is that meaningless?
how is it nihilism?
dig a hole in woods and jump in
how could you search for so long without company?
why couldn't you let somebody in?

You were writing a book about the Norman invasion
I was writing songs to keep me calm
we had several talks about motives of creation
when we’d meet a Dave’s house
when the nights were still long

You put on your white tuxedo
adjusted your cummerbund and tie
you walked down to Harvard sq
the seat of academia
Harvard sq
you walked down to Harvard sq
on the day of your atonement
Harvard sq
you walked down to Harvard sq
on Yom Kippur

credits

from Peripheral People, track released December 12, 2011
Composed & arranged by Jared Lucas Nathanson and Ben Margolis

Lyrics & Melody by Jared Lucas Nathanson

Ben Margolis - Saxophone
Jared Lucas Nathanson - Vocals
Helen Aki - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ben Nicotera - Keyboard
Mark Podgurski - Drums
Wayne Flower - Bass

Recorded and mixed by Doug Batchelder at the Den studios in North Reading, MA
Produced by Doug Batchelder, Ben Margolis, and Jared Lucas Nathanson.
Mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA
Assistant Mastering Engineer: Maria Rice
©2012 The Heartsleeves™, All Rights Reserved

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The Heartsleeves Boston, Massachusetts

Neo Eclectic, Soul Reflected, Sounds From Real Life!

Born in the glory and pageant of the noble working cities of Boise, Cleveland, Schenectady, Boston and Syracuse, "The Heartsleeves" is the voice of the no frills sincerity of real world American life.

We write our songs live, and refine them into a melancholy powder of sweet painful regret and sprinkle it on hearty soul pop.
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