Oh Boy, I wish I was going to be home for this! Amazingly, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of it. The Lone Star Pirate Festival. Wow. Right here in Houston, how lucky we are. 😉
It looks like so much fun. You get to dress up like pirates, drink lots of pirate beverages, listen to maritime/pirate music (the Bilge Pumps, Blaggards, etc), and go around saying ‘arrrrgghh’. And everybody around actually ‘gets it’. 😉
They’ll also have food trucks and vendors and according to their Facebook page, a real life mermaid. 😉 It’s also inside so you don’t have to worry about the weather. I’d love to go!
I can’t wish too hard though, since I am supposed to be working during that time period. It’s scheduled for July 20th and I should be shipboard by then (it’s not a pirate ship 😉 ).
I was thinking about it this afternoon and until this job I will have only worked 5 weeks out of 36! I can’t hope for anything else other than that I actually get to go do that job! So many have been cancelled this year at the last minute.
Maybe they’ll have another one of these festivals that I can go to. I hope so. I hope they come back to Houston. I don’t like driving all the way up there, but it’s not too far for something like this. If anybody get’s to go, I hope you’ll let us know how it went.
I haven’t been out much, so haven’t been listening to much new music on my favorite radio station (KPFT). It only comes in good in the car. I did stay up late last night to watch Saturday Night Live and the Texas Music Scene. Got me in the mood to look into some music today. Here’s one I think I already mentioned, but it’s worth another play. 😉
Big Blue Sea- Bob Schneider
Woke up in a stupor Guess it’s time to face the pooper Sometimes I feel like superman Sometimes I’m just recuperating, yeah
My head is twisting in it’s cage My mind feels like a twenty gage I hope it’s just a passing stage My heart’s not red, it’s Beige
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know But I think I’ll tell you all that I know
Try to tell you all about it Thought you might’ve, Lord, I doubt it Everyday’s a waste, I know And everyday’s a funeral
Cutting out I’m feeling lost Lost my mind I’m Mr. Frost Collected all the evidence I’m off the edge, I’m on the fence
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well, I think I’ll tell you all that I know
I don’t want to be alone, I want to be a stone I wanna sink to the bottom of the ocean And lie there with you ’til I’m gone
At the bottom of the big blue sea, just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea The bottom of the big blue sea, just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea
I know I’ll never know nobody Better than I know myself But I can’t even figure out Just what the fuck I’m all about
I’m sinking, I’m swimming, no wait a minute I’m drowning, no I ain’t kidding around Sometimes I think I’m gonna make it Sometimes I fake it
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well, I think I’ll tell you all that I know
Anywhere and everywhere Made up my mind it’s getting weird It’s queer to think it might not Get much better than today I fear
Won’t know true happiness I tried so hard, I did my best My best wasn’t good enough Oh God, I hate this stuff
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well, I think I’ll tell you all that I know
I don’t want to be alone, I want to be a stone I wanna sink to the bottom of the ocean And lie there, laugh there with you Laugh there with you till I’m gone
At the bottom of the big blue sea, just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea The bottom of the big blue sea, just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me I said, it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me
And it’s days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me And not to tell you anything I think I know
I finally got my CD player in my truck the other day. For months now, I could only listen to cassette tapes and one decent radio station (KPFT) since the radio dial didn’t work anymore and neither did my 6-CD player. I bought a new radio the other day. had to wait a few days for the installation. Sad to learn they don’t make cassette players or 6-CD players anymore. I had to settle for just a radio and 1-CD player 🙁
I was listening to some new CD’s I’ve had for a while but haven’t been able to listen to. I really loved this song by Mark Knopfler. It’s called “Sailing to Philadelphia”. The album has the same name and the whole thing is really nice.
Check it out. It’s pretty mellow. There’s another song on it I loved, called the Last Laugh. Mark had Van Morrison join in on this song and it was fantastic. Van Morrison is another of my all time favorite musicians. You can find out more about the music at the links. Enjoy. 🙂
I am Jeremiah Dixon I am a Geordie boy A glass of wine with you, sir And the ladies I’ll enjoy All Durham and Northumberland Is measured up by my own hand It was my fate from birth To make my mark upon the earth
He calls me Charlie Mason A stargazer am I It seems that I was born To chart the evening sky They’d cut me out for baking bread But I had other dreams instead This baker’s boy from the west country Would join the Royal Society
We are sailing to Philadelphia A world away from the coaly Tyne Sailing to Philadelphia To draw the line A Mason-Dixon Line
Now you’re a good surveyor, Dixon But I swear you’ll make me mad The West will kill us both You gullible Geordie lad You talk of liberty How can America be free A Geordie and a baker’s boy In the forests of the Iroquois
Now hold your head up, Mason See America lies there The morning tide has raised The capes of Delaware Come up and feel the sun A new morning has begun Another day will make it clear Why your stars should guide us here
We are sailing to Philadelphia A world away from the coaly Tyne Sailing to Philadelphia To draw the line A Mason-Dixon Line
I just ordered the album from this band. I saw them last week on the Texas Music Scene and really liked this song. I find a lot of great new music from watching that show (the other place I like is KPFT radio). That show is one of the very few things I watch on TV anymore.
It comes on right after Saturday Night Live (which I still like to watch- even tho they’re not nearly as funny as they used to be). They still come out with some really good stuff occasionally. I make it a point to watch it.
The Bluewater Highway is also a favorite place for me. It runs up the beach from Surfside to Galveston. I’ve had a lot of good times along that road. 🙂
I wonder if thats where they got their name? Just checked, I guess it is. Turns out they’re from right here in Lake Jackson, TX. 🙂
Well honey, here I come, I got a wagonload A million different words I’m putting on for show I’m peddling my heart
It sees your careful walk hiding a gypsy stare And I know just the thing, woman if you dare Step right on through
And I’ll do it all for you I’ll do it all for you I am the Medicine Man
I traveled all the land in a depression line I bought and sold my love one too many times But now those days are done
‘Cause under the things I own, I am the one you need And in your snake oil smile, the cure for my disease I’d break my heart in two
And I would do it all for you (c’mon girl, c’mon girl) I’d do it all for you (c’mon girl, c’mon girl)
‘Cause I can see your fever rising And I got all you need inside You’re out on a ledge with your head in your hands You got a bleeding heart honey, I am the Medicine Man
You (c’mon girl, c’mon girl) I’d do it all for you (c’mon girl, c’mon girl) I’d do it all for you (c’mon girl, c’mon girl) I’d do it all for you (c’mon girl, ohh)
I can see your fever rising And I got all you need inside You’re out on a ledge with your head in your hands You got a bleeding heart honey, I am the Medicine Man
I stayed up late last night to watch Saturday Night Live and the Texas Music Scene. Those are 2 of the only shows I’ll turn on the TV to watch anymore. The Texas Music Scene always has really wonderful musicians on there and it’s a great way to learn about new music (the other way is to listen to KPFT on the radio).
I saw this band on the show last night and really enjoyed listening to their song. They played one called “Lint Head Gal”. Phoebe was fantastic on the violin/fiddle (I’ve been wanting to learn how to play lately). She explained how the song came to be written, about a friend’s grandmother who used to work in the textile mills back in the day.
This song is a little more mellow, but it still shows off her beautiful voice and nice work on the fiddle. The rest of the band is great too. I definitely plan to find more of their music.
PINK & BLUE- LYRICS
I like to pick at my wounds until the bleed Take in the moon on a bended knee Stare at the sky in the morning light Pink and Blue are the color of God’s eyes
There’s a bell that rings when the school day ends That’s not the bell that rings for me Sitting here till I make amends Sitting here till I am free Only then will it ring for me
The morning air so damp the dew I know you can feel it to Burning off this childish pain Help me see the endless change Running again and again I stray From what do I run away Searching for what is underneath Knowing here I am complete
It’s been a while since I’ve shared one of these Songs of the Sea. I’ve just been busy and haven’t had the time to go poking around the internet (or my music library). Here’s a song from the Lumineers, a band I really like. Have you heard them before? Let me know how you like the music…
I stood alone, upon the platform in vain The puerto ricans they were playing me salsa in the rain With open doors and manual locks In fast food parking lots
I headed west, I was a man on the move New york had lied to me, I needed the truth Oh, I need somebody, needed someone I could trust I don’t gamble, but if I did I would bet on us
Like the dead sea You told me I was like the dead sea You’ll never sink when you are with me Oh, lord, like the dead sea
Whoa, I’m like the dead sea The finest words you ever said to me Honey can’t you see, I was born to be, be your dead sea
You told me you were good at running away Domestic life, it never suited you like a suitcase You left with just the clothes on your back You took the rest when you took the map
This song is an old favorite. It was a #1 song in 1971. Three Dog Night had a lot of good songs we listened to a lot. Joy to the World, Just an Old Fashioned Love Song, Never Been to Spain, etc. I remember a lot of really good times with good music growing up back then. I remember belting out the lyrics to this song with my friends.
Good old days for sure. 🙂 I thought since I was posting about fish recently, this would be a good follow up. 😉
Hope you have some fun with it like I did. 🙂
“Joy To The World”
Jeremiah was a bull frog Was a good friend of mine I never understood a single word he said But I helped him drink his wine And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singin’ Joy to the world All the boys and girls, now Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
If I were the king of the world Tell you what I’d do I’d throw away the cars and the bars and the wars Make sweet love to you
Singin’ now Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
You know I love the ladies Love to have my fun I’m a high night flier and a rainbow rider A straight-shootin’ son of a gun I said a straight shootin’ son of a gun
Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the world Joy to you and me
Joy to the world All the boys and girls, now Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me
“H” is for the ‘Hadzabe’, an African tribe of friendly people who have chosen to retain their traditional lifestyle. On a photography safari with Great Escape Publishing (GEP) last November, I was able to spend the day learning about how they managed to survive in today’s world.
A very early morning wakeup brought our group of photographers to spend the day with a couple of the traditional tribes of the area. First the Hadzabe, the hunters, next the Datogas, the blacksmiths. We had to meet the Hadzabe very early for a special treat, we would go on a hunt with their men!
We left the beautiful Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge at 0545 and drove about 45 minutes to the Hadzabe camp. They still live a nomadic life, so we met them at one of their temporary camps. They had built scattered domed huts out of thin, flexible branches tied together in addition to their ‘rooms’ in a rocky outcrop atop a high hill.
When we arrived, we met the chief and through our interpreter, Joseph, we got an explanation of the basics of their lifestyle. The men brought us up to a large overhang of the rock where they had a fire going. They explained the different types of arrows they used for hunting (some were poisonous).
A couple of them showed us how they started a fire (no, not with a Bic lighter), the old fashioned way of twisting a stick until it gets hot enough to light the tinder. The Hadzabe men used the spark to light their pipes for a good long toke. A few of our troop tried it too- (lighting the fire, not smoking the weed)- but only one succeeded (just barely). It looked a lot harder when our group tried to do it. The Hadzabe made it look so easy.
Similar to the Maasai, they were nomadic. But the Hadzabe were hunters, not herders. The chief also had more than 1 wife. The men spent their days hunting and preparing to hunt. They made their bows and arrows, sharpened their knives, kept the fire going, and smoked a lot of weed while they were at it. They offered some to us, but nobody was brave enough to accept.
After the demonstration, we left with the men on their daily hunt. I followed along for about 20 minutes, up and down the rocky hillsides, surrounded by thorny plants in the hot sun. The hunters were already so far ahead of me I couldn’t see what good it was doing to try to keep up with them. I was rushing- huffing and puffing- and not able to really pay attention to my surroundings and thought better about continuing on.
I turned around and went back to camp. Joseph escorted me and a couple of others who also wanted to return, just to make sure we made it back safely.
Joseph brought us back to camp, introduced us to the women and then returned to the hunt.
Like the Maasai women, the Hadzabe women stay in camp and tend to the household chores. They take care of the children, do whatever needs doing around the camp, and make items for trade. I watched as all the women and children sat together creating beautiful beadwork items (which they later showed our group- just in case anyone wanted to buy).
It took a couple of hours for the men to return to camp- along with our group who stuck it out with them. Sorry to say, they didn’t catch anything. They’ll have to try again later. In preparation for heading out again, they practiced with their bow and arrows and a target stump a couple hundred feet down the slope. We watched as all the men (even the young boys) took their shots at the stump. They even offered to teach us how to do it.
A couple of our group decided to take them up on it and took a couple of shots at the stump. No one managed to hit the target. I tried to pull the string of one of the small boys’ bow. No, I couldn’t pull it even halfway back. We all had fun, the Hadzabe had a good laugh at how awful we were.
Before we left, the tribe got together and gave us a farewell present. They put on a dance show for us and even invited us into the dance. It was a fun ending to our visit.
They say the 2 best days in the life of any boat owner are the day he buys it and the day he sells it. Here’s a song for those who are getting to that 2nd best day!
Getting into the Christmas spirit around here. It’s Christmas Eve already- wow! Here’s a fun little video by Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers. It’s another Song of the Sea too. 😉
In honor of Pirates Weekend at the Texas Renaissance Fair, I’m re-posting this little ditty from last year.
Here’s another little sea chantey to add to your musical collection. It’s done by Key & Peele, 2 funny guys who used to be on MADtv (which I loved). I really used to love MAD magazine when I was a kid, but the ones they’re coming out with now are nowhere near as funny as they used to be (and no, it’s not just because I’m getting older!).
This sketch somehow manages to be both a little risque’ and PC at the same time. 😉
Pirate Chantey– Key & Peele
“Thar once was a lass so fine, She was drunk on Barleywine, I’d been (out) to sea for a month or three, I knew I could make her mine. But the lass was past consent, So it was off with her we went, And we threw her in bed and we rested her head, And we left cuz that’s what Gentlemen do…
A woman has a right to a drink or two, Without worryin’ about what you will do! We say Yo-HO but we don’t say ‘ho,’ Cuz ‘ho’ is disrespectful, yo.
Thar once was a girl from Leeds, Who I heard was good on her knees, So I docked my ship for an overnight trip, To take care of all of my needs. She was fine as the tales did tell, And my mast began to swell, So I laid her down and I raised her gown, And performed cunnilingus for an hour or so.
Always take care of yer lady fair, Cuz they deserve as much attention down there! We say Yo-HO but we don’t say ‘ho,’ Cuz ‘ho’ is disrespectful, yo.
I once had a woman so fair, Whose whom contained my heir, With a son by my side, the seas we’d ride, The child she would bear. But my woman she was no fool, She was working her way through school, So I did support when she chose to abort, Because it’s her body and therefor her choice.
No we don’t say ‘booty’ ‘less we talkin’ ’bout gold, and we don’t look at chests ‘less they’s treasure-holds! With a hat and a feather and a cutlass on our hip, We don’t say ‘she’ when we’re talking ’bout a ship! We don’t say ‘bitch’ and we don’t say ‘whore,’ Cuz that language leads to things like body dysmorphia.
Thar was a lady with a golden eye, And the doctor said she would die, So she emptied her purse to lift the curse, And prayed to stay alive. She awoke the very next day, And in her grave she lay, But the scariest part of the story from the start, Is I bet you assumed the doctor was a man.
Women are doctors too, And for a fraction of the doubloons! We say Yo-HO but we don’t say ‘ho,’ Cuz ‘ho’ is disrespectful, yo.
Thar was a slut with tits to here, and an ass that- (gunshot. he is dead and that is good.)
Cuz it’s Yo-HO but we don’t say ‘ho,’ Cuz ‘ho’ is disrespectful, yo.”
In honor of awarding the Nobel Prize in Literature to Bob Dylan, here’s a video. Bob Dylan plays along with Keith Richards and Ron Wood. It was taped during the big Live Aid concert back in 1985 (did anything really come out of that? did anything really change?).
I’ve heard better versions of this song (it’s been covered by quite a few bands). Hard to understand the words when Bob sang it on that video, so here are the lyrics…
“When The Ship Comes In”
Oh the time will come up When the winds will stop And the breeze will cease to be breathin’ Like the stillness in the wind ‘Fore the hurricane begins The hours when the ship comes in.
And the seas will split And the ship will hit And the sands on the shoreline will be shaking Then the tide will sound And the wind will pound And the morning will be breaking.
Oh the fishes will laugh As they swim out of the path And the seagulls they’ll be smiling And the rocks on the sand Will proudly stand The hour that the ship comes in.
And the words that are used For to get the ship confused Will not be understood as they’re spoken For the chains of the sea Will have busted in the night And will be buried at the bottom of the ocean.
A song will lift As the mainsail shifts And the boat drifts on to the shoreline And the sun will respect Every face on the deck The hour that the ship comes in.
Then the sands will roll Out a carpet of gold For your weary toes to be a-touchin’ And the ship’s wise men Will remind you once again That the whole wide world is watchin’.
Oh the foes will rise With the sleep in their eyes And they’ll jerk from their beds and think they’re dreamin’ But they’ll pinch themselves and squeal And know that it’s for real The hour that the ship comes in.
Then they’ll raise their hands Sayin’ we’ll meet all your demands But we’ll shout from the bow your days are numbered And like Pharaoh’s tribe They’ll be drownded in the tide And like Goliath, they’ll be conquered.
Here’s another in my Songs of the Sea series. This one’s by Madonna. I really love the video someone made to go with it. I love watching the waves roll by. It’s nice that it has the Spanish subtitles too, so all the people who speak Spanish can understand it better. Enjoy. 🙂
“Swim”
Put your head on my shoulder baby Things can’t get any worse Night is getting colder Sometimes life feels like it’s a curse
[Bridge:]
I can’t carry these sins on my back Don’t wanna carry any more I’m gonna carry this train off the track I’m gonna swim to the ocean floor
[Chorus:]
Mmmmm Crash to the other shore Mmmmm Swim to the ocean floor
Children killing children While the students rape their teachers Comets fly across the sky While the churches burn their preachers
[Bridge2:]
We can’t carry these sins on our back Don’t wanna carry any more We’re gonna carry this train off the track We’re gonna swim to the ocean floor
[chorus]
Let the water wash over you Wash it all over you Swim to the ocean floor
So that we can begin again Wash away all our sins Crash to the other shore
Mmmmmm
[bridge] [chorus] [bridge2]
Crash to the other shore Swim to the ocean floor Mmmmmm
Tomorrow is officially International Talk Like a Pirate Day (don’t forget to stop by your local Krispy Kreme for some free donuts). For this weeks Song of the Sea, I’ll get into the spirit a little bit early with this version of Yo Ho Ho by the Corsairs. So, here’s to yaaarrrgh…..
Yo Ho Ho (and a Bottle of Rum)
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil be done for the rest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
The mate was fixed by the bos’n’s pike The bos’n’ brained with a marlin spike And cookey’s throat was marked belike It had been gripped by fingers ten and There they lay all good dead men like Break o’ day in a boozing ken__ Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum !
Fifteen men of a whole ship’s list Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum! Dead and be d___ed and the rest gone whist! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
The skipper lay with his nob in gore Where the scullion’s axe his cheek had shore And the scullion he was stabbed times four And there he lay while the soggy skies Dripped all day-long in up-staring eyes At Murk sunset and a foul sunrise Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men of ’em stiff and stark Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Ten of the crew had the murder mark Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
‘Twas a cutlass swipe or and ounce of lead Or a yawning hole in a battered head and the scuppers glut with a rotting red And there they lay aye d___ my eyes All lookouts clapped on par – a – dise All souls bound just con – tra – ri – wise Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men of ’em good and true Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Every man Jack could ha’ sailed with old Pew Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
There was chest on chest of Spanish gold with a Ton of plate in the middle hold And the cabins riot with stuff un told And there they lay that had took the plum With a sightless glare and their lips struck dumb While we shared all by the rule of thumb Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Fifteen men of a dead man’s chest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum Drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
(FALTA UM VERSO/////////////)
We wrapped ’em all in a mains'(cel)l tight with Twice ten turns of a hausers bight And we heaved ’em over and out of sight with a Yo heave ho and fare you well And a sullen plunge in a sullen swell Ten fathoms deep on the road to hell Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Another for my Songs of the Sea series- Life’s An Ocean by the Verve. It’s kinda bluesy, and I went to the Bikes and Blues fest in Freeport yesterday. I haven’t got the post done for that yet, but here’s one about it from a couple of years ago. Still on a blues kind of kick. 🙂
“Life’s An Ocean”
Life’s An Ocean Too much commotion, too much emotion Dragging me down Living for today, don’t have time to pray Ready for the game Take a line of fickle flame
Imagine the future Woke up with a scream I was buying some feelings From a vending machine Say that I will see Something more than I have There’s something inside of me Crying out for something else And if someone hears my scream Put it in a letter to me Slippery slimy road down
Life’s an ocean too much commotion Not enough emotion to satisfy me Slippery slidy road down It’s slippery slidy road down
Hold my hand and we’ll walk down Dry those eyes and we’ll walk down
Slippery slidy road down Life’s an ocean, life’s an ocean Too much commotion, too much emotion
Here’s another one for my Songs of the Sea series. It was filmed at the HoustonFest last year (2015), with the Church Sisters. It’s a good one for today. It’s been storming all night and most of the day. I just got back from a short delivery job and it was stormy pretty much the whole voyage.
It’s an old bluegrass song. I like bluegrass a lot. My dad used to rent an apartment to a couple (hi Roberta and Eddie), who played around town in a bluegrass band. I used to love hanging out with them, trying to learn how to play guitar and singing along. I really do miss my music. Just somehow never have time to play anymore. 🙁
“The Storms Are On The Ocean”
I’m going away to leave you, love I’m going away for a while But I’ll return to you some time If I go 10,000 miles
The storms are on the ocean The heavens may cease to be This world may lose its motion, love If I prove false to thee
Oh, who will dress your pretty little feet Oh, who will glove your hand Who will kiss your rosy red cheeks When I’m in the far off land
The storms are on the ocean The heavens may cease to be This world may lose its motion, love If I prove false to thee
[Instrumental break]
Oh, papa will dress my pretty little feet And mama will glove my hand You can kiss my rosy red cheeks When you return again
The storms are on the ocean The heavens may cease to be This world may lose its motion, love If I prove false to thee
[Instrumental break]
Oh, have you seen those lonesome doves Flying from pine to pine A-mourning for their own true loves Just like I mourn for mine
The storms are on the ocean The heavens may cease to be This world may lose its motion, love If I prove false to thee
[Instrumental break]
I’ll never go back on the ocean, love I’ll never go back on the sea I’ll never go back on the blue-eyed girl Till she goes back on me
Here’s another one for my Songs of the Sea series. The Lumineers play ‘Dead Sea’. I really love this band. They have a lot of great songs -most have nothing to do with the water. 😉
I haven’t been spending as much time as usual listening to music. My mind just hasn’t been in the right place. I listen to the radio (KPFT) when I go to work (which hasn’t been nearly enough lately). At home I just haven’t been ‘in the mood’- for music- or anything else.
I’ve been spending more time on the computer than anything else lately. The last couple of days I’ve been seeing a lot of stuff to do with ‘just do it’. Even the song. Is it the universe trying to tell me to get off my ass and just DO it?
I think it probably is.
“Dead Sea”
I stood alone, upon the platform in vain The Puerto Ricans they were playing me salsa in the rain With open doors and manual locks In fast food parking lots
I headed West, I was a man on the move New York had lied to me, I needed the truth Oh, I need somebody, needed someone I could trust I don’t gamble, but if I did I would bet on us
Like the Dead Sea You told me I was like the Dead Sea You’ll never sink when you are with me Oh, Lord, like the Dead Sea
Whoa, I’m like the Dead Sea [Video version:] The nicest words you ever said to me [Album version:] The finest words you ever said to me Honey can’t you see, I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
You told me you were good at running away Domestic life, it never suited you like a suitcase You left with just the clothes on your back You took the rest when you took the map
Yes, there are times we live for somebody else Your father died and you decided to live It for yourself you felt, you just felt it was time And I’m glad, cause you with cats, that’s just not right
Like the Dead Sea You told me I was like the Dead Sea You’ll never sink when you are with me Oh, Lord, I’m your Dead Sea
Whoa, I’m like the Dead Sea The nicest words you ever said to me Honey can’t you see I was born to be, be your dead sea
I’ve been down, I’ve been defeated You’re the message, I will heed it. Would you stay, Would you stay the night?
Dead Sea, You told me I was like the Dead Sea I never sink when you are with me Oh, Lord, I’m your Dead Sea
Whoa, I’m like the Dead Sea The nicest words you ever said to me Honey can’t you see I was born to be, be your Dead Sea
Here’s another one for my Songs of the Sea series. I know I’ve skipped a couple of weeks, but here’s a good one to get back in the groove. 🙂
I’ve never heard of Bob Schneider before, but if this song is a good idea of his work, I’ll definitely be checking him out further.
I love all the beautiful photographs of the underwater world in this video. I hope you enjoy it too. 🙂
Warning: ‘explicit lyrics’ for all the PC types out there- don’t play it if you’re easily offended by a couple of cuss words. 🙁
Big Blue Sea Lyrics
Woke up in a stupor
Guess it’s time to face the pooper
Sometimes I feel like superman
Sometimes I’m just recuperating
My head is twisting in its cage My mind feels like a twenty gage I hope it’s just a passing stage My heart’s not red it’s Beige
And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well I think I’ll tell you all that I know Try to tell you all about it thought you Might’ve lord i doubt it Everyday’s a waste I know everyday’s a funeral
I’m cutting out I’m feeling lost I’ve lost my mind I’m Mr. Frost I’ve collected all the evidence I’m off the edge I’m on the fence
And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well I think I’ll tell you all that I know
I don’t want to be alone I want to be a stone I want to sink to the bottom of the ocean And lie there with you til I’m gone
At the bottom of the big blue sea Just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea The bottom of the big blue sea Just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea
I know I’ll never know nobody Better than I know myself But I can’t even figure out Just what the fuck I’m all about
I’m sinking, I’m swimming no wait a minute I’m drowning no I ain’t kidding around Sometimes i think i’m gonna make it Sometimes I fake it
And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well I think I’ll tell you all that I know
Anywhere and everywhere Made up my mind it’s getting weird It’s queer to think it might not Get much better than today I fear Won’t know true happiness I tried so hard I did my best My best wasn’t good enough Oh god I hate this stuff
And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know Well I think I’ll tell you all that I know I don’t want to be alone I want to be a stone I want to sink to the bottom of the ocean And lie there laugh there with you laugh Yhere with you til I’m gone
At the bottom of the big blue sea Just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea the bottom of the big blue sea Just you and me At the bottom of the big blue sea
And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me And its days like this that burn me Turn me inside out and learn me Not to tell you anything I think I know
Last Saturday I went up to Houston for the Zydeco Fest. I’ve been having a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything around here. Just too much stress to enjoy the time at home. Weird, isn’t it? When I’m offshore working, I can’t wait to get off and spend time at home. Now that I’ve been home for so long without work, I can hardly stand it.
If I wasn’t so worried about finances, I would be off traveling somewhere. Since I have to be here to jump on any job offer that comes by (no matter how bad), I can’t leave or do anything really.
I had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel last week (or I thought I did), so I decided to go have a little celebration. I’ve always loved zydeco music, all kinds of music really- except rap and opera. I used to go up to Houston every couple of weeks. I’d go catch a live band, spend the night, and do a museum or something on the way home.
I got a late start last week and didn’t get to the show until about 5. They had it right downtown at Jones Plaza. I found a nice hotel only a couple of blocks away and not super expensive. The worst part was the parking fees! At least by the time I got to the show, it had cooled down a little. It was still hot! I didn’t bring anything to sit on and what few seats there were were already occupied.
I just walked around, looked over the little shops people set up- selling food, drinks, t-shirts, etc. They had a couple of food trucks parked by the entrance and more cooks scattered around the park. People were picnicking and enjoying the sunshine with their families. Old folks and babies, the whole range of ages loved the music. Everybody was dancing and having a good time.
I got there in time for the last part of Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers. I saw Marcus Ardoin and the Zydeco Legend, and finished the night off with Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws (all the pictures are of Step and his band).
I didn’t find out til I was leaving the Zydeco Fest, but they also had a Gay Pride parade that evening. All the crowds from that were thronging the downtown streets right around the time they were shutting down the Zydeco Fest. It looked like it must have been a lot of fun. Everybody was in a good mood and from what I could see of the costumes, they all had a great time.
Houston needs to get a better way to let people know what’s going on around town!
Here’s a little music to tide us over til next year’s zydeco festival. 🙂
I decided to have a little early celebration (hope I’m not jinxing myself). I had 2 prospective jobs last week. The first since last September!
I’m still waiting for confirmation and things change constantly in the offshore world, so I hope I’ll be going back to work soon. It’s a huge step down in both position and pay, but after more than 6 months out of work, I’ll take pretty much anything.
I’ve turned in applications at the Mathnasium, Hastings bookstore and Buc-ee’s in the last week. Tried to avoid applying to jobs like that as long as I could, but I need to do something to bring in some income. My savings are running down fast. 🙁
I’ve been stuck hanging around the house so long, broke, stressed and a little depressed. I think I can afford to take a little break. I’m heading to Houston today for the Zydeco Festival.
Here’s another entry to my Songs of the Sea series. Nice tune, and the words are pretty nautical too. Listening to this song reminds me of wandering around London. I always stay near the river and yes, of course I went to see the Cutty Sark. 🙂
“Single Handed Sailor”
Two in the morning, dry-dock town The rivers rolls away in the night Little gypsy moth she’s all tied down She quiver in the wind and the light
Yeah and a sailing ship just held down in chains From the lazy days of sail She’s just lying there in silent pain He lean on the turist rail
A mother and her baby and the college of war In the concrete graves You never wanna fight against the river law Nobody rules the waves Yeah and on a night when the lazy wind is a-wailing Around the Cutty Sark Single handed sailor goes sailing Sailing away in the dark
He’s upon the bridge on the self same night The mariner of dry dock land Two in the morning, but there is one green light And a man on the barge of sand She’s gonna slip away below him Away from the things he’s done But he just shouts “Hey man, what do you call this thing?” He could have said “Pride of London” On a night when the lazy wind is a-wailing Around the Cutty Sark Yeah the single handed sailor goes sailing Sailing away in the dark
Here’s another post for my Songs of the Sea series. I’ve always loved this song by Grand Funk Railroad. I heard it a lot when I was growing up. Now, since I am a captain- it resonates even more.
This is actually the short version of this song. I really liked the video that goes with this version. The ships are gorgeous, the scenes at sea, there’s even a picture of the same lighthouse I’ve been working on painting for the last few weeks! (Can you recognize it?)
“I’m Your Captain”
Everybody, listen to me And return me my ship I’m your captain, I’m your captain Though I’m feeling mighty sick
I’ve been lost now, days uncounted And it’s months since I’ve seen home Can you hear me, can you hear me Or am I all alone
If you return me to my home port I will kiss you, Mother Earth Take me back now, take me back now To the port of my birth
Am I in my cabin dreaming Or are you really scheming To take my ship away from me? You’d better think about it I just can’t live without it So, please don’t take my ship from me, yeah, yeah, yeah
I can feel the hand of a stranger And it’s tightening around my throat Heaven help me, Heaven help me Take this stranger from my boat
I’m your captain, I’m your captain Though I’m feeling mighty sick Everybody, listen to me And return me my ship
I’m your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I’m your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I’m your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I’m your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m getting closer to my home I’m getting closer to my home I’m getting closer to my home I’m getting closer to my home, oh
I’m getting closer to my home I’m getting closer to my home
I’m getting closer to my home I’m getting closer to my home
Here’s a classic for my Songs of the Sea series. Ike and Tina Turner with “Rolling on the River’ (Proud Mary). Back in the days! Love this stuff!
I was recently ‘rolling down the river’ myself, complements to the great people of Minnesota. They put on a great party for the attendees of the TBEX, with great food, drinks, music and even a ride on a riverboat! I couldn’t help thinking of this song. 😉
Attending the travel bloggers exchange (TBEX) has been a real eye opener. I’ve been busy since the moment I arrived at MSP (airport). I’ve been learning a lot, meeting tons of interesting people, going places, seeing things and attending dinners and parties every day!
TBEX actually started on Monday, with a full day of conferencing. It was held at the Radisson Blu at the Mall of America (a great location). Afterwards, we headed downtown to a party planned for us at the First Avenue. This is a famous Minneapolis club, where many great musicians have played. For the first hour or so, they played music by Prince (who used to play there) as we mingled over munchies provided by Common Roots Catering (thanks!).
Live bands played in another part of the place. Ness Nite, Lydia Liza and Joey Joey Michael were scheduled to play. As the drinks went down, the dance floor filled up and things got more lively. I had a nice view from above of dancers showing their stuff. The big screen behind them showed scenes of Minnesota. I heard more than 1 complaint of sore muscles the next morning.
Remembering that I had another full day of TBEX and an early wakeup call, I left by midnight. It was easy to find our way back to the METRO, even tho the guides who helped us find our way earlier were gone. Comparing notes on the ride home with a dozen other bloggers was fun. We all agreed it was a great way to spend an evening out in Minneapolis. Thanks to all who made it happen! 🙂
Here’s another for my Songs of the Sea series. This is one of my favorite Bob Seger songs. I grew up with this stuff. 🙂
Most people probably wouldn’t think of this as a sailing song, or anything to do with the sea. To me, as a sailor, “against the wind” always means hard times, a rough slog. I’ve been dealing with a lot of that lately. 🙁
Let me know what you think. Do you like this song? Have any memories? Thoughts about it?
“Against The Wind”
It seems like yesterday But it was long ago Janey was lovely, she was the queen of my nights There in the darkness with the radio playlng low And the secrets that we shared The mountains that we moved Caught like a wildfire out of control Till there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
And I remember what she said to me How she swore that it never would end I remember how she held me oh so tight Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then
Against the wind We were runnin’ against the wind We were young and strong, we were runnin’ Against the wind
And the years rolled slowly past And I found myself alone Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends I found myself further and further from my home And I guess I lost my way There were oh so many roads I was living to run and running to live Never worried about paying or even how much I owed Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time Breaking all of the rules that would bend I began to find myself searchin’ Searchin’ for shelter again and again Against the wind A little something against the wind I found myself seeking shelter against the wind
Well those drifters days are past me now I’ve got so much more to think about Deadlines and commitments What to leave in, what to leave out
Against the wind I’m still runnin’ against the wind I’m older now but still running Against the wind Well I’m older now and still running Against the wind
After another miserable day struggling with the computer all day, I had to get out of the house for a while today. The Center for Arts & Sciences was having a festival this weekend and it sounded like fun.
I got up early and headed over for todays start (11:00). The weather looked threatening but I was hoping the rain would hold off.
While I was wandering around the outside tents, the rain started coming down like cats and dogs. It was pouring, water was going everywhere and the poor artists were trying to keep their supplies out of the rising tides around the parking lot.
Inside, things were much less hectic. The Art League Gallery was still showing the photography of the kids for the Migration Celebration. Some of those photos are really stunning! I really liked the close ups of the chameleons and dragonflies. 🙂
I learned about a new thing called ‘zentangle‘. It’s kind of like doodling, said to be great for stress relief. I’m sure I can use some of that right now. I might just give it a try.
About a dozen artists were set up inside the Dow Theater. I liked the blown glass and some of the jewelry. There was one lady (Connie Colten) who had lots of little mermaids and pretty little plants (ivy and such) that I was really tempted by.
I talked to painter Jimmie Bartlett for a few minutes. I really liked his paintings of the maritime world. He had one set up behind him of a shrimp boat and a stunning sunset. I would have bought that one if I was still working!
While I was waiting for the rain to subside, I took a look at the items to be raffled off. I took a look at ‘featured artist’ Robert Ruhmann who was working on his paintings just inside the doors. I really liked his subtle cool colors and smooth style. Lots of blues and greens and natural subjects- palm trees, beaches, rivers- all very calming.
The E-Flat Porch Band was jamming’ out in the corner, playing some cool blues and toe-tappin’ music to keep everyone in a good mood. Caliente Twang had been playing outside when I arrived and I really wanted to hear them play, but they had enough with the rain I guess. They were gone by the time I got back outside.
The rain took a break for a little while, so I headed back outside to see all the artists I had missed earlier. There were potters, woodworkers, photographers, painters, fabric artists (very nice), people who worked with colored/fused glass, jewelers, metal workers, etc. There was a lot of really interesting stuff on offer.
All the artists were very friendly and happy to talk about their work. Some were local, like Jimmie Bartlett (Van Vleck) and Kathy Castro (Alvin) who had some very nice abstract paintings. Some were from farther away, even out of state (it was a juried show).
They had a couple of food trucks with the usual festival foods- hot dogs, fried oreos, etc, and there were booths selling coffee, sodas and even beer, but the rain put a damper (literally) on the ‘food court’.
I had a good time there today. I really hope the weather doesn’t discourage them from doing this again next year. It’s great that they have so much going on over the whole weekend. Everything from a “Run for the Arts”, to art projects for the kids to make, to classical music concerts. I love all the different kinds of music they brought out, and all the different kinds of art. I think it’s great to see Brazosport doing more of this sort of thing. Sucks to have to go to Houston all the time to do anything interesting!
Here’s another for my Songs of the Sea series. Dar Williams is another of my favorite singer/songwriters. I love her stories, she can really sing too. I’ve got a couple of her CDs. I listen to them while I’m driving. 😉
The Ocean- Dar Williams
When I went to your town On the wide open shore Oh, I must confess, I was drawn I was drawn to the ocean
I thought it spoke to me, It said, “Look at us We’re not churches, not schools Not skating ponds, swimming pools And we have lost people, haven’t we though?” Oh, that’s what the ocean can know of a body
And that’s when I came back to town This town is a song about you You don’t know how lucky you are You don’t know how much I adore you You are the welcoming, back from the ocean
I went back to the ocean today With my books and my papers I went to the rocks by the ocean But the weather changed quickly
Oh, the ocean said, “What are you trying to find I don’t care, I’m not kind I’ve bludgeoned your sailors I’ve spat out their keepsakes Oh, it’s ashes to ashes, but always the ocean”
But the ocean can’t come to this town This town is a song about you You don’t know how lucky you are You don’t know how much I adore you You are the welcoming back from the ocean
And the ones that can know you so well Are the ones, that can swallow you whole I have a good and I have an evil I thought the ocean, the ocean thought nothing You are the welcoming back from the ocean
I didn’t go back today, I wanted to show you That I was more land than water I went to pick flowers, I brought them to you Look at me, look at them, with their salt up the stem But you frowned when I smiled and I tried to arrange them
You said, “Let me tell you the song of this town” You said, “Everything closes at five After that, well you just got the bars”
You don’t know how precious you are Walking around with your little shoes dangling I am the one who lives with the ocean It’s where we came from, you know And sometimes I just want to go back After a day, we drink ’til we’re drowning
Walk to the ocean, wade in with our workboots Wade in our workboots, try to finish the job You don’t know how precious you are I am the one who lives with the ocean You don’t know how, I am the one You don’t know how, I am the one
Here’s a photo I took in New Orleans. I think it’s a good one for this challenge (Dance) from the Daily Post. I loved watching this couple dance and listen to the band play in the street. New Orleans is really great for this kind of thing. 🙂
The couple was really dancing up a storm (swing, jitterbug, etc.), the musicians were all tapping their toes and swaying to the music and everyone was having a great time.
