Chapin Carpenter, Mary - folk artist, singer/songwriter
By: Dominick A. Miserandino
Mary Chapin Carpenter talks with us a little bit about her songwriting, lyrics and volunteering to make the world a better place.
DM) People have always commented on the power of your lyrics and how they could stand on their own outside of a song. Do you consider yourself more of a lyricist or a musician?
MC) I think they're both equally important. I never really thought of one being more necessary... I think they're both equally important. I write songs and they have music and lyrics.
DM) When you write songs do you write the words or music first?
MC) Each song is different. Sometimes the words happen first and sometimes the lyrics.
DM) I understand that you've been doing some work to help with the issue of land mines.
MC) Emmy Lou Harris introduced me to the work of the Vietnam Veterans of America foundation and the Campaign for a Land Mine Free World. A number of musicians have been involved with them and we've done concerts around the country to try and keep the awareness of the issue in America.
DM) How did it feel when you saw the countries that were gravely affected by land mines?
MC) I don't feel I'm eloquent enough to explain to anybody how life altering that trip was. It was extremely moving, and informative and made me feel a real sense of privilege being able to work with these people who did these great and important deeds.
I think every time you have the opportunity to be associated with people who do important work with issues that are important to you it resonates. I'm not holding out my hands balancing one or the other, I think whatever you can put your energy to is important.
DM) When did you first start getting involved with charity work?
MC) I started getting invited to do things when I became more of a known person. It's not like I formulated views about it, it really just becomes simple when you realize that you have the time and you can do it, and it doesn't require a great sort of moral examination of your conscience. It's just a sense of having the time and deciding to do it. I say that to encourage people, because I think it's important for people to volunteer because it's good for their soul and it's good for the world.
DM) Why do you think it is that not as many people volunteer?
MC) Well, I think many reasons, but a lack of time is probably the biggest. It's a pretty frantic world that we live in.
DM) It sounds like you've been fortunate enough to make a difference.
MC) I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm not one to pronounce what I've done.
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