‘Voodoo Child’, Jimi Hendrix

A windfall apple is an apple that has fallen from a tree. When we gather windfalls, we help ourselves to apples that happen to have fallen.

In this exercise, we help ourselves to words that have arrived by chance, and use these to inspire our own creative endeavours.

How to use our ‘windfall words’ exercise

Here is an extract from the lyrics to the Jimi Hendrix song, ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ (1968):

Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Yeah
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well I pick up all pieces and make an island
Might even raise a little sand
Yeah

Cause I’m a Voodoo Child
Lord knows I’m a Voodoo Child baby

I want to say one more last thing
I didn’t mean to take up all your sweet time
I’ll give it right back to ya one of this days
Hahaha
‘Voodoo Child’, Jimi Hendrix

The lyrics to this Hendrix song have been intertpreted in countless ways. The opening passage, above, is often considered a metaphor for Jimi Hendrix redefining the boundaries of music, alongside his ability to overcome obstacles.

We’ll use these lyrics to generate our collection of windfall words. Can you write a short poem or passage about a time that you overcame an obstacle? Maybe in a way others did not expect of you. Use as many of these words as possible.

Your windfall words are…
Stand – Mountain -Chop – Hand – Pieces – Sweet – Days – Hahaha

To consider the ways you may have redefined expectations of yourself may inspire you do look at opportunities, and hope, differently. To extend this exercise, jot down some ideas about how you may redefine boundaries placed upon you from outside (what other people expect or want from you).