A Story
Kr@zy
I met him personaly a few times after shows.
He was a "good" man.
One of the few I have evr met.
I am learning too play, finally, my favorite Chapin song.
It has always had an impact on me.
Upon writing down the lyrics and reading them back, I gained a new insight
into the story. It's concise, yet descriptive simplicity.
This will literally take me well ove an hour to type, but, here goes...
------A Better Place To Be------
It was an early morning barroom
and the place just opened up.
The little man came in so fast
and he started at his cups;
And the broad who served the whiskey, shewas a big ole friendly girl.
Who tried to fight hr empty nights by
smiling at the world.
And she said, "Hey, Bub, it's been a while, since you been around.
Where the hell you been hidin' and why ya look so down."
Well, the little man just sat there; like he never heard a word.
The waitress, she let out with a cough, and, acting not the least put off,
she spoke..\And she said,
"I don't wanna bother you.
Consider it understood.
I know I'm not no beauty queen,
but, I sure...can listen good."
The little man took his drink in his hand
and he raised it to his lips.
He took a couple of sips...
and then he told thewaitress his story.
"I am the midnigt watchman
down at Miller Tool & Die.
I watch the metal rusting.
I watch the time go by.
A week ago at the diner; I stopped to get a bite,
and this here lovely lady,
she sat two seats from my right.
And Lord, Lord, Lord!
She was alright.
She was so damn beautiful, she could warm a winter frost.
But she looked long past lonely; wide-eyed, kind of lost.
Now, I'm not much of a mover,
or a pick-em-up easy guy;
But, I decided to slide on over,
and give her one good try.
And, Lord, Lord, Lord!
She was worth a try.
I was tongue ties like a schoolboy.
I stammered out some words.
It did not seem to matter much, cuz
I don't think she heard.
She just looked clear on through me,
To a space back in my head.
It shamed me into silence, as quietly she said, "If you want me to go with
you, Then that's alright with me.
For, me, I'm going nowhere,
and Anywhere's a better place to be."
Well, I drove her to my Boarding house
And I took her up to my room.
I went to turn on the only light
to brighten up the gloom.
But, she said, Please leave the light off! Oh, i don't mind the dark."
As her clothes all tumbled round her
I could feel my heart.
The moonlight shone upon her,
as she lay back in my bed.
It was the kind of scene I only had imagined in my head.
I could just not belive it;
to think that she was real.
But, as I tried to tell her, she said, "Shhh, I know just how you feel.
And if you want to come here with me,
then, that's alright with me.
Cuz, I been oh so lonely'
Lovin' someone is a better way to be."
The morning came so swiftly.
I held her in my arms.
She slept like a baby; snug and safe fromharm.
I did not want to share her,
or dare to break the mood.
So, before she woke, I went out
to get us both some food.
I came back with my paper bag,
to find tat she was gone.
She'd left a six word letter; saying, "It's time that I moved on."."
You know thewaitress took her barrag
and she wiped it across her eyes.
And as she spoke, her voice came out as,
something like a sigh...
She said, "I wish that I was beautiful,
or that you were halfway blind.
I wish I weren't so goddamn fat.
I wish that you were mine.
And I wish that you'd come with me, when I leave for home.
Cuz, we both know all about emptiness,
and livin' all alone."
Well, the little man looked at the empty glass in his had.
He smiled a crooked grin, and said, "I guess I'm outta gin,
And I know we both have been so lonely.
And if you want to come home me,
that's all right with me;
cuz, we've both been going nowhere,
And, anywhere's a better place to be."
--
Krazy
Judy
<Kr@zy.> wrote in message news:20050318194335.624$m...@newsreader.com...
I like Harry Chapin too.
Judy
Kr@zy
You're welcome.
On the day Chapin was killed in his VW Rabbit On the Highway, he was
driving himself to catch a private plane. That plane and a rental car,
would have brought him to The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New
Hampshire.
I was on the front steps of the Venue, (It's on th "boardwalk" overlooking
the beach) at noon or so when they cancelled that nights show. I had
tickets, backstage passes and had a nonster reel to reel tape machine.
(Harry Loved bootleggers.)
Bob Dylan said of Harry..."I write songs that make people think, but,
He tells stories that make peole feel."
--
Krazy