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EULOGY 121411 - SUNDAY AFTERNOON

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I wrote this at my dad’s urging. He likes it. We sing it together. I have YouTube Video of it up.

EULOGY

He grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma
Red dirt back yard, Gramma’s place
Honey suckle in a dust bowl
Life as hard as limestone lace

Eating careless weed and fresh lamb’s quarter
Empty stomachs, rattle round
Toatin’ sacks of Red Cross flour
In his wagon home from town

Sometimes I cry because I miss him
I watch my children as they sleep
Oh, how I’d like to see the angels
See his face when he hears them sing

Whatever hope there is in parting
Whatever power Love can bring
Whatever chances for our meeting
Together in that choir again

Oh, how I miss our weekly phone call
Talk of your garden and the rain
How you went and rescued Mama
And you brought her home again.

You stood by me when I was in trouble
You taught me how to work the land
You fixed the tractor when I broke it
A humble way to be a man

Whatever hope there is in parting
Whatever power Love can bring
Whatever chances for our meeting
Together in that choir again

I see his hands when I’m out driving
I see his brow in the mirror light
When people say, “You’re like your father,”
I just say, “Thanks,” and I hope they’re right.

(C) 2009 Royal T Music

I sang this at his funeral…

c}{imps 8 my ears's avatar
c}{imps 8 my ears said

heartfelt, sincere. i dig the banjo and mouthharp

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James Michael Taylor said

Lazarus Knight The last verse says it all.

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James Michael Taylor said

Ruth Southern - I agree.

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James Michael Taylor said

".. you had me right off the bat--"Red Dirt" for me, classic Ok City area!; plus "honeysuckle dustbowl" (so beautiful) and "limestone lace" --each image is 2 completly different things contrasted to make a third. Lovely. Oklahoma evocative! " Gwyn Henry

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James Michael Taylor said

Beautiful beautiful song!! Kat Landrove

Guest said

I like what I am listening to.....

Guest said

Returned today to listen, and so glad I did! It is a wonderful song. I like the timber of your vocals, too. There is a soft edge that serves the song so well because of its subject. I respond too, as an Okie, having lived for 40 years in Sapulpa and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fav lines might be, "Red dirt back yard, Gramma’s place Honey suckle in a dust bowl Life as hard as limestone lace Remembering the red dirt... Know these accents and sounds like the back of my hand... thanks for posting! --Gwyn Henry

Saved!