From the recording Little Book
RR: I used to have a workshop in an old renovated boiler room in a large brick and timber building in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. It was on the ground floor at the rear, and I was living upstairs in a loft in the same building with a cat who was obsessed with one of my houseplants, a tall, thin papyrus. Fearing he would destroy the plant, I moved it to the workshop.
The east wall of the workshop had two large window openings that had been filled in completely with wavy glass block, allowing some light in but obscuring the view. I wondered if the light would be adequate for the papyrus plant to survive.
For several years after I watched in amazement as the papyrus learned to love it's view to the outside world through the glass block window.
released September 18, 2026
This is an old song, written by Rob Roy long before leaving Chicago in 2020, but it was resurrected and re-recorded at Vinni's urging for this record.
Rob Roy Campbell sang and played acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, harmonica, and egg shaker.
Vinni Hancock created original artwork for this song which you can see here: https://robroycampbellandvinnihancock.bandcamp.com/track/lean-green-papyrus
Hat tip to James Beesley (downbeatstudio.com) for recording an early version of this song for me way back when.
Lyrics
Lean green papyrus
Tall and skinny growth
Displays enthusiasm
In its reach for the window
A glimpse of outside sun
Distorted through block glass
Gives a hint of hope for green dreams
Of wild fields of grass
Each day just passes
Papyrus grows and grows
Hindsight's sudden, too fast
But the moment is still and slow
I'll chop one down
With a scissor for sacrifice
To tantalize a feline
With his secret, seldom vice
And it won't faze papyrus
New shoots will take the place
A predictable unfolding
Undetectable a pace
Each day just passes
Papyrus grows and grows
Hindsight's sudden, too fast
But the moment is still and slow