Rainy Day Wonderings

Saturday, August 26, 2006

A Beatnik Poet

The Singer, Songwriter, Performer and Artist

I am one lucky woman, I was given a ticket for Richie Havens show held at AcousticMusic in Normal Heights tonight! OMG his voice... along with his percussive playing of an open tuned guitar, I was in heaven!

What About Me?

You poison my sweet waters; you chop down my green trees
And the food you feed my children is the cause of that ill disease
My world is slowly falling down and the air is not fit to breathe
And those of us who care enough, we have to do something
Oh, what you gonna do about me
Oh, what you gonna do about me
Your newspapers – they just put you on
They never tell you the whole story
They just put your young ideas down as wondering if this was the end of their pride and glory?

Oh, what you gonna do about me
Oh, what you gonna do about me
I work in your factories and I study in your schools
I fill your penitentiaries and your military too
I can feel the future trembling as the word is passed around
If you stick up for what you do believe in, be prepared to be shot down
Oh, what you gonna do about me

Oh, what you gonna do about me
I feel just like a stranger in the land where I was born
And I live just like an outlaw; I’m always on the run
Always on the run, they got me always on the run
Oh, your soldiers smoke marijuana, you can’t put them behind your walls
Because most of what you taught them to do is against most of your laws
We’re all fugitives from injustice now but we’re going to be free
Because your rules and regulations don’t do the things for me.
Oh, what you gonna do about me
Oh, what you gonna do about me

You may be the stronger now, but my time will come around
You keep adding to my numbers as you shoot my people down
I can feel the future trembling as the word is passed around
We are going to stick up for what we do believe in, and we’re prepared to be shot down
Oh, what you gonna do about me
Oh, what you gonna do about me
I feel just like a stranger in the land where I was born
And I live just like an outlaw; I’m always on the run
Always on the run, they got me always on the run...

Follow by Richie Havens

Let the river rock you like a cradle
Climb to the treetops, child, if you're able
Let your hands tie a knot across the table.
Come and touch the things you cannot feel.

And close your fingertips and fly where I can't hold you
Let the sun-rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you
And maybe you can sing to me the words I just told you,
If all the things you feel ain't what they seem.
And don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream.

The mocking bird sings each different song

Each song has wings - they won't stay long.

Do those who hear think he's doing wrong?

While the church bell tolls its one-note song

And the school bell is tinkling to the throng.

Come here where your ears cannot hear.

And close your eyes, child, and listen to what I'll tell you

Follow in the darkest night the sounds that may impel you

And the song that I am singing may disturb or serve to quell you

If all the sounds you hear ain't what they seem,

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream <>

The rising smell of fresh-cut grass

Smothered cities choke and yell with fuming gas

I hold some grapes up to the sun

And their flavour breaks upon my tongue.

With eager tongues we taste our strife

And fill our lungs with seas of life.

Come taste and smell the waters of our time.

And close your lips, child, so softly I might kiss you,

Let your flower perfume out and let the winds caress you.

As I walk on through the garden, I am hoping I don't miss you

If all the things you taste ain't what they seem,

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream .

The sun and moon both arise

And we'll see them soon through days and nights

But now silver leaves are mirrors, bring delights.

And the colours of your eyes are fiery bright,

While darkness blinds the skies with all its light.

Come see where your eyes cannot see.

And close your eyes, child, and look at what I'll show you;

Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes blow you,

And maybe when we meet then suddenly I will know you.

If all the things you see ain't quite what they seem,

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream .

And you can follow; And you can follow; follow...

No one tonight could NOT have been moved by that performance… spiritual, soulful, sublime, we (I) have been blessed.

Have a safe weekend everyone! Comments are always appreciated.

N Posted by Rain at 8/26/2006 12:03:00 AM

1 Comments

Anonymous posted at 7:55 PM
Do you remember when your mom, mine and A's used to get stoned and dance around the house listening to his music? Ha, ha, ha! Those were the days huh?

Remember the 'strip show' in S.F, when they were listening to Jimmy Hendrix and my mom almost fell off the roof with the bottle of royal crown? Your mom said that if she wanted to fly off the roof it was okay just "don't take the weed and whiskey with you?"

God I miss your mom...she was the best ever!

Remember I love you baby...Candy