This is a beautiful but terribly sad song about two girls with dreams. One made hers come true. The other completely lost her way. Your challenge is to Take This Tune and tell us about choices and outcomes.
Important Notice: This will be the last "Take This Tune" I do on this site. I will continue to do them every once in a while on my regular site: Durward Discussion.
Me and my best friend Lillian
And her blue tick hound dog Gideon,
Sittin on the front porch cooling in the shade
Singin every song the radio played
Waitin for the Alabama sun to go down
Two red dirt girls in a red dirt town
Me and Lillian
Just across the line and a little southeast of Meridian.
She loved her brother I remember back when
He was fixin up a '49 Indian
He told her 'Little sister, gonna ride the wind
Up around the moon and back again"
He never got farther than Vietnam,
I was standin there with her when the telegram come
For Lillian.
Now he's lyin somewhere about a million miles from Meridian.
She said there's not much hope for a red dirt girl
Somewhere out there is a great big world
Thats where I'm bound
And the stars might fall on Alabama
But one of these days I'm gonna swing
My hammer down
Away from this red dirt town
I'm gonna make a joyful sound
She grew up tall and she grew up thin
Buried that old dog Gideon
By a crepe myrtle bush in the back of the yard,
Her daddy turned mean and her mama leaned hard
Got in trouble with a boy from town
Figured that she might as well settle down
So she dug right in
Across a red dirt line just a little south east from Meridian
She tried hard to love him but it never did take
It was just another way for the heart to break
So she dug right in.
But one thing they don't tell you about the blues
When you got em
You keep on falling cause there ain't no bottom
There ain't know end.
At least not for Lillian
Nobody knows when she started her skid,
She was only 27 and she had five kids.
Coulda' been the whiskey,
Coulda been the pills,
Coulda been the dream she was trying to kill.
But there won't be a mention in the news of the world
About the life and the death of a red dirt girl
Names Lillian
Who never got any farther across the line than Meridian.
Now the stars still fall on Alabama
Tonight she finally laid
That hammer down
Without a sound
In the red dirt ground
This video below is a little strange as You Tube was being difficult about the copyrights involved. If you don't have the Modern Times album in your collection, it is well worth adding to Mr. Dylan's wealth and buying it. It is one of the best examples of his poetry with all the layered meanings. Take This Tune and have fun.
As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind
Ain't talking, just walking
Through this weary world of woe
Heart burning, still yearning
No one on earth would ever know
They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray for me, mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am trying to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well
Ain't talking, just walking
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burning, still yearning
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost
Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter them where they lie
Ain't talking, just walking
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking through the cities of the plague.
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down
Ain't talking, just walking
Eating hog eyed grease in a hog eyed town.
Heart burning, still yearning
Some day you'll be glad to have me around.
They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll revenge my father's death then I'll step back
Ain't talking, just walking
Hand me down my walking cane.
Heart burning, still yearning
Got to get you out of my miserable brain.
All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road
Ain't talking, just walking
My mule is sick, my horse is blind.
Heart burning, still yearning
Thinking about that girl I left behind.
Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flying
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire gone out but the light is never dying
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
Ain't talking, just walking
Carrying a dead man's shield
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking with an ache in my heel
The suffering is unending
Every nook and cranny has its tears
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not nursing any superfluous fears
Ain't talking, just walking
Walking ever since the other night.
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking until I'm clean out of sight.
As I walked out in the mystic garden
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
There's no one here, the gardener is gone
Ain't talking, just walking
Up the road, around the bend.
Heart burning, still yearning
In the last outback at the world's end.
One of my favorite movies and soundtracks is "The Big Chill" with its window on a generation. It featured 14 great songs that acted both as music for the film and commentary on the interaction of the characters. This week you get your choice of two songs to use for your Take This Tune prompt. Hope you have as much fun as the cast did in the kitchen.
Don't forget to sign in when you post your blog piece so everyone can visit during the week.
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
I know you wanna leave me,
But I refuse to let you go
If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy,
I don't mind coz' you mean that much to me
Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me, girl, don't you go
Now I heard a cryin' man,
Is half a man with no sense of pride
But if I have to cry to keep you,
I don't mind weepin' if it'll keep you by my side
Ain't to proud to beg, sweet darlin
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
If I have to sleep on your doorstep
All night and day just to keep you from walkin' away
Let your friends laugh, even this I can stand
Because I want to keep you any way I can
Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darlin'
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Now I've gotta love so deep in the pit of my heart
And each day it grows more and more
I'm not ashamed to come and plead to you baby
If pleadin' keeps you from walkin' out that door
Ain't too proud to beg, you know it sweet darlin'
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Ain't to proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me girl, don't you go
Baby, baby, baby, baby (sweet darling)
You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones
I saw her today at the reception
A glass of wine in her hand
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
At her feet was footloose man
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need
I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
If we don't we're gonna blow a 50-amp fuse"
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need
I went down to the Chelsea drugstore
To get your prescription filled
I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy
And man, did he look pretty ill
We decided that we would have a soda
My favorite flavor, cherry red
I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
I said to him
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need
You get what you need--yeah, oh baby
I saw her today at the reception
In her glass was a bleeding man
She was practiced at the art of deception
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need
Whew! Almost forgot to put up a song. Now if someone other than Travis would join in, I would appreciate it. Just sign in any time this week if you have a story about what made you you.
The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert
I know they say you can’t go home again I just had to come back one last time Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam But these handprints on the front steps are mine Up those stairs in that little back bedroom Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar I bet you didn’t know under that live oak My favorite dog is buried in the yard I thought if I could touch this place or feel it This brokenness inside me might start healing Out here it’s like I’m someone else I thought that maybe I could find myself If I could walk around I swear I’ll leave Won’t take nothing but a memory From the house that built me Mama cut out pictures of houses for years From Better Homes and Gardens magazine Plans were drawn and concrete poured Nail by nail and board by board Daddy gave life to mama’s dream I thought if I could touch this place or feel it This brokenness inside me might start healing Out here it’s like I’m someone else I thought that maybe I could find myself If I could walk around in I swear I’ll leave Won’t take nothing but a memory From the house that built me You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am I thought if I could touch this place or feel it This brokenness inside me might start healing Out here it’s like I’m someone else I thought that maybe I could find myself If I walk around I swear I’ll leave Won’t take nothing but a memory From the house that built me
In case you haven't figured it out yet, I love story songs, slice of life songs, places that will never come again songs. Here is one of the best. Guy Clark's picture of the South Coast of Texas, his youth and the people he knew whose way of life is disappearing in favor of the tourists who don't know what they missed. So do you have a story of a place and time now gone.
The South Coast of Texas
The south coast of Texas is a thin slice of life
It's salty and hard it is stern as a knife
Where the wind is for blwon' up hurricanes for showin'
The snakes how to swim and the trees how to lean
Chorus
The shrimpers and their ladies are out in the beer joints
Drinkin' em down for they sail with the dawn
They're bound for the Mexican Bay of Campeche
And the deck hands are singin' adios Jolie Blon
There's snowbirds in search of that sunshine and night life
And fond of greasin' palms down the beach as they're goin'
This livin' on the edge of the waters of the world
Demands the dignity of whooping cranes and
The likes of Gilbert Roland
Chorus
In the cars of my youth how I tore thru those sand dunes
Cut up my tires on them oyster shell roads
But nothin' is forever say the old men in the shipyards
Turnin' trees into shrimp boats Hell I guess they ought to know
This week's Take This Tune is a little different. About 30 years ago, Barry Manilow made a jazz album with some of his favorite musicians and singers. There is a whole video of the making of 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe on You Tube and well worth watching to see how musicians and singers come together to create a theme album. Since it goes back to his jazz roots, this is a Manilow album for even those who think they don't like Manilow.
Below is a small piece of the documentary featuring a consummate jazz singer Mel Torme and jazz musician Manilow creating Big City Blues which is about as classic a sound as you can get. So take this tune and maybe tell us something about a big city or the blues or just hopes about love.
Mel Torme:
Much of my life has been spiced with romance
Barry Manilow:
Too many bedrooms I've slept in by chance
Mel Torme:
Drownin' out my sorrow
Barry Manilow:
Longin' for tomorrow
Both:
Caught up in the big city blues
Barry Manilow:
Rain pourin' down from a cold winter sky
Mel Torme:
Don't wanna smile and I'm too sad to cry
Barry Manilow:
Clouds hangin' above me
Mel Torme:
No one there to love me
Both:
Guess it's just the big city blues
Barry/Mel:
Someday I'll find me the dream that I'm after
I'll know her with only a glance
She'll make me smile
and she'll fill me with laughter
and our love will be like a dance
Skies will be clear and the sweet sun will shine
I'll hold her near and I'll know that she´s mine
No more stormy weather
Love will last forever
Good-bye to the big city blues
I asked Travis of Trav's Thoughts for a song suggestion and he came up with Nightswimming by REM which I had never heard. This one may stir up all sorts of images for you to write about next week, so sign in and Take This Tune.
Nightswimming
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago,
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse
Still, it's so much clearer
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
I'm not sure all these people understand
It's not like years ago,
The fear of getting caught,
Of recklessness and water
They cannot see me naked
These things, they go away,
Replaced by everyday
Nightswimming, remembering that night
September's coming soon
I'm pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming
You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me,
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath
Nightswimming
The photograph reflects,
Every streetlight a reminder
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night
My all time favorite Sondheim show is "Into The Woods" where in telling familiar fairy tales a musical is created about almost the whole of human experience which is everything but a fairy tale. Trav has suggested this week's Take This Tune in one of the most powerful songs in the production sung by the Witch: Children Will Listen. Here it is sung by the original star, Bernadette Peters. Take This Tune and let us know how you feel knowing children are listening.
How do you say to your child in the night? Nothing's all black, but then nothing's all white How do you say it will all be all right When you know that it might not be true? What do you do? Careful the things you say Children will listen Careful the things you do Children will see and learn Children may not obey, but children will listen Children will look to you for which way to turn To learn what to be Careful before you say "Listen to me" Children will listen Careful the wish you make Wishes are children Careful the path they take Wishes come true, not free Careful the spell you cast Not just on children Sometimes the spell may last Past what you can see And turn against you Careful the tale you tell That is the spell Children will listen How can you say to a child who's in flight "Don't slip away and i won't hold so tight" What can you say that no matter how slight Won't be misunderstood What do you leave to your child when you're dead? Only whatever you put in it's head Things that you're mother and father had said Which were left to them too Careful what you say Children will listen Careful you do it too Children will see And learn, oh guide them that step away Children will glisten Tamper with what is true And children will turn If just to be free Careful before you say "Listen to me" Children will listen (repeat 3x)
Don't forget to sign the Mr. Linky so that others can find your blog.
Nobody has sent any suggestions and I'm still all wrapped up in the new "The Union" album from Elton John and Leon Russell with Bernie Taupin throwing in his song writing abilities. Rolling Stone declared it the third best album of 2010. I'm declaring it number one. When it comes to vocals, musicianship and incredible lyrics, I simply cannot decide which one I like best, every single song is unique in mood, sound, and meaning. So I'll go with the love song. Take This Tune and tell me about a dream or a love story.
The Best Part of the Day
I hear you singing, "I Shall Be Released"
Like a chainsaw running through a masterpiece
But that's all right, that's ok
Grab the bottle and slide my way
You dreamt of a devil down below
Sprinkled cayenne pepper in your sugar bowl
But he's a fool and he's a thief
Got silly little horns and pointed teeth
Roll back the covers and raise the shades
We don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
You're my best friend you shared my crazy ways
Now we don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
There's a canyon where an echo hangs
Like the ancient bells of Notre Dame
It's beyond the hills out of sight
Thought I heard 'em ringing all last night
Hear the mating call of the morning dove
Like Romeo angels in the roof above
Rains will come sweet and clean
Let the tears of God keep the mountains green
Roll back the covers and raise the shades
We don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
You're my best friend you shared my crazy ways
Now we don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
One big sun coming up
Old moon going down
Thunder breaking in the east
I'm gonna love you 'til it comes around
Roll back the covers and raise the shades
We don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
You're my best friend you shared my crazy ways
Now we don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
You're my best friend you shared my crazy ways
Now we don't want to miss out on the best part of the day
Those participating in Music Monday can sign in below:
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
This wonderful song by Mary Chapin Carpenter is about all the small towns that we once knew that now are dying or changing beyond recognition. We flee from them, remember them, hope to find them again as imagined, and miss them when they disappear. They are hopes and dreams both fulfilled or dashed.
So next week take this tune and tell a story about one of your cities or towns. Don't forget to sign Mr. Linky down below so others can find you.
I'm a town in Carolina, a detour on a ride
For a phone call and a soda, I'm a blur from the driver's side
I'm the last gas for an hour if you're going twenty-five
I am Texaco and tobacco, I am dust you leave behind
I am peaches in September, and corn from a roadside stall
I'm the language of the natives, I'm a cadence and a drawl
I'm the pines behind the graveyard, and the cool beneath their shade,
where the boys have left their beer cans
I am weeds between the graves.
My porches sag and lean with old black men and children
Their sleep is filled with dreams, I never can fulfill them
I am a town.
I am a church beside the highway where the ditches never drain
I'm a Baptist like my daddy, and Jesus knows my name
I am memory and stillness, I am lonely in old age;
I am not your destination
I am clinging to my ways
I am a town.
I'm a town in Carolina, I am billboards in the fields
I'm an old truck up on cinder blocks, missing all my wheels
I am Pabst Blue Ribbon, American, and "Southern Serves the South"
I am tucked behind the Jaycees sign, on the rural route
I am a town
I am a town
I am a town
Southbound.
This meme also works well for Lady Java's Music Monday. Come join Music Monday and share your songs. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge
There are certainly more than enough issues that you might want to hit with this Eagles song ... have fun!!!
Get Over It
The Eagles
I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people crying don't blame me
They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else
Spend all their time feeling sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat
Get over it
Get over it
All this whining and crying and pitching a fit
Get over it, get over it
You say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, old billy was right
Let's kill all the lawyers, kill 'em tonight
You don't want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing
Get over it
Get over it
If you don't want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, get over it
It's like going to confession every time I hear you speak
You're makin' the most of your losin' streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak
You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick it's little ass
Get over it
Get over it
All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it
Get over it
Get over it
It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it, get over it
Blues the way it should be with Mark Knopfler's biographical song about Sonny Liston. For the non fight fans and those too young to remember, click on the link for the Wikipedia about this troubled man. Both his life and death are still filled with mysteries and still being discussed. He attained the greatest height in his field but never the love or acclaim he desired and whose headstone bears the simple epitaph "A Man."
Lots of ways to go from sports to crime to mysteries to the price of fame and notariety.
So many mouths
To feed on the farm
Sonny was the second
To the last one born
His mamma ran away
And his daddy beat him bad
And he grew up wild
Good love he never had
He had a left
Like henry's hammer
A right like betty bamalam
Rode with the muggers
In the dark and dread
And all them sluggers
Went down like lead
Well he hung with the hoods
He wouldn't stroke the fans
But he had dynamite
In both his hands
Boom bam
Like the slammer door
The bell and the can
And the bodies on the floor
Beware the bear's in town
Somebody's money says
The bear's going down
Yeah, the bear never smiles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
The writers didn't like him
The fight game jocks
With his lowlife backers
And his hands like rocks
They didn't want to have
A bogey man
They didn't like him
And he didn't like them
Black cadillac
Alligator boots
Money in the pockets
Of his sharkskin suits
Some say the bear
Took a flop
They couldn't believe it
When they saw him drop
He had a left
Like henry's hammer
A right like betty bamalam
Rode with the muggers
In the dark and dread
And all them sluggers
Went down like lead
Joe Louis was his hero
He tried to be the same
But a criminal child
Wears a ball and chain
So the civil rights people
Didn't want him on the throne
And the hacks and the cops
Wouldn't leave him alone
Beware the bear's in town
Somebody's money says
The bear's going down
Yeah, the bear never smiles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
At the foot of his bed
With his feet on the floor
There was dope in his veins
And a pistol on the drawer
There was no investigation
As such
He hated needles
But he knew too much
Criss-crossed
On his back
Scars from his daddy
Like slavery tracks
The second-last child
Was the second-last king
Never again was it the same
In the ring
He had a left
Like henry's hammer
A right like betty bamalam
Rode with the muggers
In the dark and dread
And all them sluggers
Went down like lead
They never could be sure
About the day he was born
A motherless child
Set to working on the farm
And they never could be sure
About the day he died
The bear was the king
They cast aside
Beware the bear's in town
Somebody's money says
The bear's going down
Yeah, the bear never smiles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
Sonny's going down
For miles and miles
"Some day they're gonna write a
Blues for fighters. It'll just be for
Slow guitar, soft trumpet and a bell."
This time around, Linda the wonderful photographer with the unbelievably talented artist daughter has requested this week's Take This Tune. Visit her on Are We There Yet
The Things We Do For Love
10 CC
Too many broken hearts have fallen in the river
Too many lonely souls have drifted out to sea,
You lay your bets and then you pay the price
The things we do for love, the things we do for love
Communication is the problem to the answer
You've got her number and your hand is on the phone
The weather's turned and all the lines are down
The things we do for love, the things we do for love
Like walking in the rain and the snow
When there's nowhere to go
And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying
And you're looking for the answer in her eyes
You think you're gonna break up
Then she says she wants to make up
Ooh, you made me love you
Ooh, you've got a way
Ooh, you had me crawling up the wall
Like walking in the rain and the snow
When there's nowhere to go
And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying
And you're looking for the answer in her eyes
You think you're gonna break up
Then she says she wants to make up
Ooh, you made me love you
Ooh, you've got a way
Ooh, you had me crawling up the wall
A compromise would surely help the situation
Agree to disagree but disagree to part
When after all it's just a compromise of
The things we do for love, the things we do for love
One of our regular participants, Travis of Trav's Thoughts picked this week's Take This Tune song. Whistle Down the Wind is a musical based on the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Jim Steinman. This is one of Webbers few unsuccessful musicals despite the wonderful music. The Broadway opening was cancelled after poor reviews of the out of town preview. A more successful West End production did run and a concept album was issued that achieved several hit songs
You can read all about the book, movie, and musical production on the above link. The show has strong religious conotations as it delves into the nature of faith, belief, unanswered dreams and deception as the town children mistake an injured wanderer for Jesus in Act One, but who may really be a fugitive. It ends with whoever he was imprisoned inside a burning barn but still a mystery.
That is one side of the story. The other is much simpler, a beautiful song about the persistence of hopes, dreams, love and memory.
Whistle Down The Wind
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Whistle down the wind
Let your voices carry
Drown out all the rain
Light a patch of darkness
Treacherous and scary
Howl at the stars
Whisper when you're sleeping
I'll be there to hold you
I'll be there to stop
The chills and all the weeping
Make it clear and strong
So the whole night long
Every signal that you send
Until the very end
I will not abandon you my precious friend
So try to stem the tide
Then you'll raise a banner
Send a flare up in the sky
Try to burn a torch
And try to build a bonfire
Every signal that you send
Until the very end
I'm there
So whistle down the wind
For I have always been
Right there
Howl at the stars
Whisper when your sleeping
I'll be there to hold you
I'll be there to stop
The chills and all the weeping
Make it clear and strong
So the whole night long
Every signal that you send
Until the very end
I will not abandon you my precious friend
So whistle down the wind
Let your voices carry
Drown out all the rain
Light a patch of darkness
Treacherous and scary
Every signal that you send
Until the very end
I'm there
So whistle down the wind
For I have always been
Right there.
This week we are giving you three songs that are all about home towns, small towns, and places you leave behind on the way to somewhere else. First up Mary Chapin Carpenter's "I Am A Town" then Iris Dement with "My Town" and finally, Bruce Springsteen's "My Hometown". They are the places where we are from or just pass by on the way to somewhere else. Do you have a story to tell?
I Am A Town - Mary Chapin Carpenter
I'm a town in Carolina, I'm a detour on a ride
For a phone call and a soda, I'm a blur from the driver's side
I'm the last gas for an hour if you're going twenty-five
I am Texaco and tobacco, I am dust you leave behind
I am peaches in September, and corn from a roadside stall
I'm the language of the natives, I'm a cadence and a drawl
I'm the pines behind the graveyard, and the cool beneath their shade,
where the boys have left their beer cans I am weeds between the graves.
My porches sag and lean with old black men and children
Their sleep is filled with dreams, I never can fulfill them
I am a town.
I am a church beside the highway where the ditches never drain
I'm a Baptist like my daddy, and Jesus knows my name
I am memory and stillness,
I am lonely in old age; I am not your destination
I am clinging to my ways
I am a town.
I'm a town in Carolina, I am billboards in the fields
I'm an old truck up on cinder blocks, missing all my wheels
I am Pabst Blue Ribbon, American, and "Southern Serves the South"
I am tucked behind the Jaycees sign, on the rural route
I am a town
I am a town
I am a town
Southbound.
Our Town- Ireis Dement
And you know the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
Up the street beside that red neon light,
That's where I met my baby on one hot summer night.
He was the tender and I ordered a beer,
It's been forty years and I'm still sitting here.
But you know the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
It's here I had my babies and I had my first kiss.
I've walked down Main Street in the cold morning mist.
Over there is where I bought my first car.
It turned over once but then it never went far.
And I can see the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
I buried my Mama and I buried my Pa.
They sleep up the street beside that pretty brick wall.
I bring them flowers about every day,
but I just gotta cry when I think what they'd say.
If they could see how the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
Now I sit on the porch and watch the lightning-bugs fly.
But I can't see too good, I got tears in my eyes.
I'm leaving tomorrow but I don't wanna go.
I love you, my town, you'll always live in my soul.
But I can see the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on, I gotta kiss you goodbye,
But I'll hold to my lover,
'Cause my heart's 'bout to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to my town, to my town.
I can see the sun has gone down on my town, on my town,
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
My Hometown
Bruce Springsteen
I was eight years old and running with a dime in my hand
Into the bus stop to pick up a paper for my old man
I'd sit on his lap in that big old Buick and steer as we drove through town
He'd tousle my hair and say son take a good look around this is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
In `65 tension was running high at my high school
There was a lot of fights between the black and white
There was nothing you could do
Two cars at a light on a Saturday night in the back seat there was a gun
Words were passed in a shotgun blast
Troubled times had come to my hometown
My hometown
My hometown
My hometown
Now Main Street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores
Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys
and they ain't coming back to your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Last night me and Kate we laid in bed
talking about getting out
Packing up our bags maybe heading south
I'm thirty-five we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel and said son take a good look around
Awhile back we played with Vince Gill's "Some Things Never Get Old". One of the lines about things that never get boring in that song reads "Eatin' watermelon down to the rind, any song by Brother John Prine". If you aren't familiar with John Prine, seek him out. His songs can be hilarious, sad, angry, or sweet. What they will always be is powerful in some way. Prine doesn't cheat. He always has something to say. This is one of the best known, tragic, and cause for thought as he sings of those who come home from war broken either physically or mentally.
Sam Stone
John Prine
Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knee.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked,
With a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back.
Chorus:
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Mmm....
Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
He went to work when he'd spent his last dime
And Sammy took to stealing
When he got that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...
Repeat Chorus:
Sam Stone was alone
When he popped his last balloon
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
Well, he played his last request
While the room smelled just like death
With an overdose hovering in the air
But life had lost its fun
And there was nothing to be done
But trade his house that he bought on the G. I. Bill
For a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill.
The ladies of Take This Tune seem to be in a bit of a mood with Elvis last week and now the very risque lyrics of Red Staggerwing. Spring must be coming in. This video features one of the best guitarists living, Mark Knopfler, in duet with the incomparable Emmylou Harris from their album, Real Live Roadrunning which you really must have. You can get either the CD or the combination CD and DVD of the tour. There isn't a loser song in the whole album and the fun of Staggerwing is offset by the sad and poignant Red Dirt Girl. In the meantime, take this tune tell us a story or just go for a ride.
If i was staggerwing plane
A staggerwingpainted red
I'd fly over to your house, baby
Buzz you in your bed
If i was a taperwing
A taperwing painted blue
I'd be barrell-rolling over you
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
If i was a maserati
A red 300s
I'd ride around to your house, baby
Give you a driving test
If i was a mustang racer
White with a stripe of blue
You could ride me,baby
Whenever you wanted to
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
If i was a fender guitar
A fender painted red
You could play me, darlin'
Until your fingers bled
If i was one of them gibsons
Like a '58 or '9
You could plug me in
And play me anytime
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
If i was a motorcycle
A vincent red rapide
I'd ride around to your house, baby
Get you up to speed
If i was short track racer
I'd be an indian
You could ride me around
And ride me round again
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
You're gonna need a rider anyhow
Let me be your rider now
This is as we first saw him. There is a song to go with the legend.
Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high
Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder
The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Up in Memphis the music's like a heatwave
White lightening, bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Every word of every song that he sang was for you
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon, what could you do?
(Guitar Solo)
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
Black velvet and that little boy's smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees
Black velvet if you please
With the current state of politics and predictions of imminent disaster for 2012, it would seems things are gearing up for some cataclysmic event. So where you gonna go when the volcano blows? What is your idea of the ultimate place to spend your final years (or hours)?
Chorus:
Now I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
Chorus:
Well let me hear ya now
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
Ground she's movin' under me
Got ya tidal waves out on the sea
Sulphur smoke up in the sky
Pretty soon we learn to fly
Chorus:
Hey I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
Now my girl quickly said to me
Man, you'd better watch your feet
That lava comes out soft and hot
You better lova me now or lova me not
Chorus:
See I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
"Hey Mr. Utley."
No time to count what I'm worth
Hey I just left the planet earth
But a' where I go I hope there's rum
Not to worry, more soon come
Chorus:
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
But I don't want to land in New York City
Don't want to land in Mexico (no no no)
Don't want to land in the Three Mile Island
Don't want to see my skin aglow (no no no)
Don't want to land in Commanche Sky park
Or in Nashville, Tennessee (no no no)
Don't want to land in no San Juan airport
Or the Yukon Territory (no no no)
Don't want to land in no San Diego
Don't want to land in no Buzzard's Bay(no no no)
Don't want to land on no ayutollah
I got nothin a more to say
Chorus:
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know where I'm a gonna go
When the volcano blow
This week we are taking a different kind of trip - the ones you take at night or in your daydreams. Here's a beautiful German lieder (English translation below) courtesy of Fairweather to remind you that Spring will be coming around again eventually and maybe, just maybe the return or beginning of love.
Such colorful flowers I dreamed of,
All blooming and lovely in May
A fantasy of fresh meadows
And wonderful creatures in song.
But then cried out the rooster
My eyes were opened wide.
The world was cold and shadows
And ravens all cackled aloud.
And on my darkened windows
Who was it who painted such leaves?
Oh, why do you laugh at the dreamer
With visions of winter flowers?
(Who wiles away youthful hours...)
I dreamed of a love untainted
A maiden of beauty, and pure;
Of kisses and sweet caresses
Of happiness whole, and our joy.
But then cried out the rooster
And bid my heart awake
And now alone I languish
Is doubt and confusion my fate?
Once more I close my eyes and
My heart beats fast and strong
When will those leaves grow truly -
My love I will hold in my arms?
(To cherish forevermore.)
