Album: Parkdale
Year: 2008
Artist Website: elizabethshepherd.com
Location: King and Elm Grove
The Story:
“Back in 2006/7, I was living on Elm Grove, just north of King. At that time, I was writing the songs that eventually became the album ‘Parkdale’.
At the time, I was going through some personal crap – shedding skins, in a nutshell – which is never fun, and always difficult. It felt that everywhere I looked, the neighbourhood was reflecting a similar process, of trying to balance the conflicting realities of old and new, gentrification and preservation – in a way, shedding its own skin.
My neighbour across the street was Kevin Clarke – the guy who would wear outrageous Dr. Seuss-like hats, rollerblade around town, yelling at the top of his lungs, painting chalk messages of love and optimism on the downtown Toronto streets. It was all part of his campaign to run for mayor. While his message was always sound, and even held tremendous wisdom, we all knew he would never be elected – if for nothing else than his debilitating crack addiction (obviously this predates Toronto’s current illustrious mayor) – though he did manage to collect 2000 votes. What I found amazing was that even on a bender, he always made sense, had composure, compassion and insight. He was tragic and beautiful.
The song Parkdale, and that line in particular (“Chalk hearts on broken streets / Smoking sweet relief.”) is my tribute to Kevin Clarke – a man clearly battling his own demons, yet in spite of that, hitting the streets daily to spread his sweet message of hope. There’s really no more beautiful way to spend one’s days.
To me, King & Elm Grove was the heart of Parkdale, and Kevin Clarke was the man who embodied its soul.”
-Elizabeth Shepherd
Lyrics:
Chalk hearts on broken streets
Smoking, sweet relief
His soul knows no defeat
You just can’t stop him
Neighbour chokes her sound
He’s knocked her to the ground
Never seen her ’round
I just can’t stop it
Shredded hearts in paper shacks
Know only love through lack,
Each day back
Looking hard to find it
Keep on looking, never stop
Dog barking loud at dawn
He knows his master’s gone
Got shot, the dog’s alone
And couldn’t stop it
The girl in twenty eight
Lights fire in the night
To prove she’s still alive
I just can’t stop it
Shredded hearts in paper shacks
Know only love through lack,
Each day back
The moon’s watchful eye
May see how hard we try
But living for this high
You just can’t stop it
Another night is done
We’ve lived to greet the sun
Though small, this battle’s won
You just can’t stop us
Shredded hearts in paper shacks
Know only love through lack,
Each day back
Shredded hearts in paper shacks
Know only love through lack,
Each day back
Looking hard don’t find it (x3)
Keep on looking, never stop