Song of the Week: Dish’s Lament by Ryan H Barber | inspired by Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove

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The first time I heard Dish’s Lament by Ryan H Barber I was at Slim’s Last Chance Saloon. It was beautiful late summer day. Everyone was outside in the courtyard, eating chili and listening to the Bushwick artists perform songs inspired by Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove. There weren’t enough wooden benches to go around. I ended up sitting on the dirt steps next to a girl who I was in love with at the time.

A few weeks earlier she broke my heart. She really crushed me. I sat by her anyways. Ryan took the stage and played his song.

In Ryan’s own words:

“Dish’s Lament, is a song about unrequited love. A man that falls deeply in love with a woman who is unattainable and he will ultimately never be with. I was drawn to Dish’s story for I think we all can relate to his experience.”

Sitting by that girl, listening to this song together, it felt like it was about us. It made for a real interesting moment— a moment I think I about every time I’ve heard it since.

Dish’s Lament is a great tune. I especially love the subtle way the drums, piano and harmonies kick in towards the end. Yet still, that’s not the reason I like it so much. It’s because this song serves as a reminder of how music reconnects us to the moments in our lives that we’re better off not forgetting.

After the show the girl and I said goodbye. We haven’t spoken since but  I think that’s OK. She don’t love cowboys.

For more information about Ryan H Barber check out his band The Horde and the Harem.