The Things We've Handed Down

Album: The Rainy Season (1993)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Marc was inspired to write this after leaning of his wife's pregnancy. The song is about his unborn child. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Wes - New Orleans, LA

Comments: 7

  • Tommy Boy from OhioPersonally I consider this one of the finest written, arranged and sung . I still cry every time I listen to it. At 70 I can see my dad and grandfather in things " I do and say".
  • Kristen Durante from ChicagoThis comment is for Brian, from Chicago - Marc is still alive. He released music in 2019.
  • Bob from York, Pa UsaThis is a haunting song. The part where he sings about the sad reminder of things we've lost along the way and "maybe you can help me find her in the things you do or say" paints a picture of a sad father to be awake alone at night, hoping that the birth of his child might heal a troubled marriage or repair a broken one. I sense his wife is gone, either literally or in spirit.

    His self-deprecating words speak to me of a husband who has poor self esteem and is accustomed to being the inferior partner in the marriage.

    This can be a hard song to listen to.
  • Volker from HamburgBesides the one by Art Garfunkel, other cover versions of "The Things We've Handed Down" by Anthony Miltich, Briana Corrigan, Carol Lang, Fester Spunk, James Steensma, Jeremy Sassoon, John Gorka, Susan Anton and Tommy Fleming can be found on Spotify – one more romantic and tender than the other.
  • Brian from Chicago, IlI love this song! It captured and added to my experience of expecting a new baby. It got me more in touch with the incredible thing it is to have your genes past on and from where these genes came from. I am even more excited for my new baby!
  • Brian from Chicago, Il"On August 7, 2005 Marc Cohn was shot in the head during a random attempted carjacking after a concert in Denver."

    I found the above tid bit on his website http://www.marccohn.net/about/MC_Bio.aspx

    There is much more about him and his influences in his bio. I didn't want to post it for fear of some kind of plagiarism allegation.
  • Stu from Suffern, NyWhile the songwriter deserves much credit, a cover version by Art Garfunkel has Mark's version beat for smoothness and beauty.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."