Friday by convention marks an end of the work week. As to reality – contemporary societies depend upon labor 24×7, with no general “half-time”, otherwise known as the day-of-rest in traditional Christian cultures. The religious label is borrowed from the Jewish practice of the sabbath. Christians rebranded by asserting that Sunday was the day of resurrection, (an unprecedented victory over death) therefore Sunday was assigned a respite from labor, chiefly for attending divine services at the cathedral or a store-front meeting house. Whether any moderns find literal “resurrection” credible, everyone needs, looks forward to the weekend. The meaning of “free” time to renew and refresh the spirit is crucial maintenance for us.

This Carole King, Gerry Goffin tune was a hit for the Drifters in 1962.  King said the tune came to her while driving. She wanted to entitle the song “my secret place”. 

The 1980 Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll described “Up on the Roof” as “in every way a remarkable pop song for 1962,” and in particular said of the above lyric, “From the internal rhyme of ‘stairs’ and ‘cares’ to the image of ascending from the street to the stars by way of an apartment staircase, it’s first-rate, sophisticated writing.”

*A side-note, my 6 year old grand daughter requested that I construct a “secret garden” for her, a secluded spot in our backyard.

This version is performed by The Cryan’ Shames.