Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN @ The Hi-Tone Cafe 11/16/09

I woke up and went for a walk in the drizzle. Following my nose, I found the tiniest cafe called CK's Coffee Shop. The waffles smelled like cake batter and the waitress, Linda, was responsible for cooking, bussing the tables and serving the food, not to mention catching the patrons up on the latest news. She was a master at pouring coffee while talking on her cell. I heard her say, "Well, that's when I told her call 911" in a tone that suggested this wasn't the first time. I asked her how she was doing and she said, "I'm doin' so-so". I told her I hoped her day went great. She said, "It needs to".

I came back to The Hi-Tone and starting loading in. It's a great place. They were playing killer music the whole time we were there and even after the show. The crowd was so wonderful. They stayed the entire time and everyone was so sweet afterward.

After my set, I went out back to think about things. I love when it rains when I need it to. I needed to think. I was thinkin' about everything I need to get together and about how Thanksgiving is coming soon and that means Christmas is coming and I can't wait to go home for a bit. Anyway, at some point, I decided it was time to go back inside and as I came around the corner, there was this man in the parking lot, next to his bicycle, with two drum sticks. I walked up right as he was singing the intro to the song for about 5 other people. They new the song and so did I but I never heard the words until then. He banged out the rhythm hitting the drum sticks together and he sang;

Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

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