filmstrip
recordplayrani       Is It Any Wonder...  recordplayrani
    I Got Country Music In My Genes?


   Daddy, me and Mamma
In Memory of My Parents, Alex and Daisy Bell


daisygroup


Ad for Bootle's Barbecuegoldltraybg


Daddy first laid eyes on Mamma as he was pumping high octane ethel into a customer's ol' jalopy. The gas station where he worked was directly across the street from their hometown drive-in restaurant, Bootle's Barbecue, where Mamma worked as a car hop.

From the first time he saw her, there was not a day went by he didn't drive his model-T Ford across that highway to have lunch, hoping to catch a glimpse of her beautiful blue eyes as she went from car to car. She hadn't been working there very long before Daddy asked one of the other car hops for her name, which she gave him. But in his excitement, he misunderstood her, believing she had said her name was Lula Bell. So, naturally, Mamma didn't know Daddy was referring to her as he drove around and around Bootle's on two wheels, honking his home-made ooga-ooga horn and yelling at the top of his lungs, "Hey, Lula Bell! Lula Bell!" Mamma told me that she was extremely shy so she must have thought him quite crazy for carrying on like that. Back then, those type of antics were simply not done.....but, that was my daddy, for ya. It was antics such as that which eventually won my Mamma's heart.

The day he proposed to her, she walked over to retreive the tray from his car window and saw something unusal sitting on it. Instead of his usual tip, Daddy had placed an open engagement ring box there on the tray for her to see. When Mamma saw it, Daddy said to her, "I couldn't help myself. I'm in love with you. If you like it, put it on." That was so like Daddy, too...no beating around the bush for him, that was for sure. And because he wasn't one to beat around the bush is one of the reasons you are here viewing this memorial to them. As way leads on to way, I am a future consequence of her decision to pick up that ring.

Before they were married, Daddy and some of his buddies, which he called "the boys" had gotten together and started a country music band. Then ten or so years after I came along, he had me listening to all of his 45's, copying down the lyrics into a notebook, so the singers in the band could learn them. I reckon, after hearing those songs over and over again, the music and the lyrics simply embedded themselves into my ten-year-old noggin. This might explain why, after I began composing poetry, I suddenly (?) got this hankerin' to write concerning people's relationships. One of my co-workers was also a catalyst. After reading some of my first work, she insisted I should consider country music lyrics. "After all", she said, "that's all country music lyrics are.....poetry set to music".

So, I decided to give it a shot.......and have decided to share them with you.

The background picture is one of my daddy and two of the boys in his band. I believe they called themselves the "Falcons" when this picture was taken. They were also called "The Hucklebucks" at one time or another. The song you hear playing reminded me so much of their style, I couldn't help but use it. Not only did Daddy know how to play the steel guitar, but he learned to play several other instruments as well: the saxophone, fiddle, harmonica, drums, electric and box guitar and clarinet. One day while Daddy was at work, he fell and hit his head which caused a cerebral hemmorrhage. A week after the fall, he complained of a terrible headache and told my older brother to crank the car because he needed to go to the hospital. Two hours later, he was dead. Daddy was 39.

The black and white picture of the band below was taken in 1957. It was the first band my daddy joined when they called themselves the "Southern Rhythm Aires". I found a card paper-clipped to the picture advertising their gig at a high school dance. The cost of admission for one adult: 75 cents! Ahh, now those were the days! But then again, back then, he only brought home forty dollars a week.

As we got a little older, Mamma, on occasion, would take a well-deserved break from rearing us rambunctious six children and go sit and listen to Daddy and "the boys" play. She never admitted it to me, but after Daddy died, I am sure she missed those escapes into the world of country music. I will always cherish these memories, those songs of wine and roses, cheatin' hearts, walking floors and tear-filled pillows. After being separated by death for twenty-five years, Daddy and Mamma were finally reunited when her frail body lost the battle with bone cancer. She was 63.

Whenever I put on some of that good ol' country music, I can't help but hear Mamma's sweet warbling soprano voice echoing through the chambers of my mind, crooning out those lovesick tunes Daddy used to play on his steel guitar. If they could see this page, I am sure it would put a smile or two upon their faces. And I like to think that when they were reunited, Daddy looked into those beautiful blue eyes he fell in love with, as if seeing her for the first time, and without beating around the bush, told her true, "Daisy Bell, I can't help it if I'm still in love with you!"



sraticket


Southern Rythm Aires


guitpikinani
Each Time It Felt the Same

We're keeping score and taking turns
Calling bluffs and calling names.
You'd think by now that we would learn
After years of playing games.

The cards were dealt, the words were thrown.
The flying glass, the slamming door;
Two kids once, but now we're grown.
We forgot what it was like before

When we wished it wasn't over
When we played the loving game,
When we meant what we were saying
And each time it felt the same.

This time, it's tearing us apart,
But I'd like to try again
To win you back into my heart ___
This time we both might win.

But each time we're dealt a new hand.
Our pride comes through the door,
Forcing us to take a stand, and
We forget what it was like before

When we wished it wasn't over
When we played the loving game,
When we meant what we were saying
And each time it felt the same.

Can't you see we'd be two fools
To end the game this way?
Couldn't we just change the rules
The next time when we play?

Let's tell the kids to go to bed
And lock our bedroom door,
Pretend we're back when we first met,
Making love like we did before

When we wished it wasn't over
When we played the loving game,
When we meant what we were saying
And each time it felt the same.




guitpikinani
On Bended Knee

To love, honor and cherish
Are the promises we make,
Until death do us part
On bended knee we pray:

We'll always love each other
For better or for worse,
In sickness and in health ___
Our lines are well rehearsed.

Exchanging rings and kisses,
Tossing garter and bouquet.
Promises are all we make
On our wedding day.

It's funny how time slips away
Taking memories and the laughs
And we no longer recognize
Our wedding photographs.

Boarding the plane together
We're heading for Mexico.
Wanting our marriage over,
It's the quickest way to go.

We hear the captain's warning,
As we talk about divorce.
There's a problem with the engines
And he's trying to find the source.

We hold onto each other,
As the plane turns toward the ground.
The captain's voice intensifies
And we pray without a sound:

We'll always love each other
For better or for worse,
In sickness and in health___
Our lines are well rehearsed.

To love, honor and cherish
Are the promises we make,
Until death do us part
On bended knee we pray.




guitpikinani
My Turn to Party

You were sittin' at the table,
Sippin' coffee by the phone
When I got home this mornin'
Sometime close to dawn.

I could tell what you were thinkin',
You were chompin' at the bit.
You could tell that I'd been drinkin',
But I didn't give a rip!

'Cause it's my turn to party
And your turn by the phone
To learn just how hard it is
Being left home all alone.

I used to wait up late at night
For your key to hit the door
And slowly paced my life away
And knew there must be more.

So, last night I made up my mind
To have some fun and paint the town,
Meet some friends an' have a good time
And let my long hair down.

I could tell what you were thinkin',
You were chompin' at the bit.
You could tell that I'd been drinkin',
But I didn't give a rip!

'Cause it's my turn to party
And your turn by the phone
To learn just how hard it is
Being left home all alone.

So last night I made up my mind
To have some fun and paint the town,
Meet some friends an' have a good time
And let my long hair down.

'Cause it's my turn to party
My turn to party
My turn to party
And your turn by the phone

I think I'll let my long hair down
And leave you by the phone.

Put the coffee on for me, would ya, honey?




guitpikinani
Lipstick Lace and Lies

A perfumed card, dressed in lace,
Red lips pressed against the page,
I can't believe that I embraced
Lipstick, lace and lies

She wrote:

"Hello, John, hope you're fine.
I just thought I'd drop you a line
To tell you I'm not comin' home
Hope you don't feel too all alone.

I'm sorry for the things I said,
But I need time to forget
All the hurts that we've been through
But please remember, I love you."

Lipstick, lace and lies
Keep me hangin' on
Waiting for some word
To say you're comin' home.

Lipstick, lace and lies
Hope I'm doing fine.
I can't believe I've fallen for
Lipstick, lace and lies.

She wrote:

"If you find somebody else,
I'll understand, think of yourself;
But no matter what you do,
Don't forget that I love you.

Love, hugs and kisses
And all of my best wishes."
I can't believe I've fallen for
Lipstick, lace and lies.

Lipstick, lace and lies
Hope I'm doin' fine.
I can't believe I've fallen for
Lipstick, lace and lies.

A perfumed card, dressed in lace,
Red lips pressed against the page,
I can't believe I've fallen for
Lipstick, lace and lies.




guitpikinani
Two Faces in the Window

Two faces in the window
Looking down on diamond glass,
Shopping for love's symbol
And spending all their cash.

They knew it would last forever,
'Cause they couldn't get enough
Sweet music held together
By their golden bands of love.

They made it happen, somehow,
Tossing glasses through the air.
They'd finally taken their vows,
Kissing rings they swore to wear.

But it didn't last forever,
With the baby and the bills.
It seemed they were going nowhere
With love and all its thrills.

They forgot what they were after,
Their memories fading fast.
All that seemed to matter
Was that they were short on cash.

They made it happen, somehow,
Tossing glasses through the air.
They'd finally taken their vows,
Cursing rings they swore to wear.

They were seen through the pawn shop
With the box that held their rings,
They were bartering with the owner
To see how much they'd bring.

Two faces in the window
Looking down on broken glass,
All that seemed to matter
Was that they were short on cash.

They were faces in the window
On a moonlit night so fair.
The lamplight lit up their show
Tossing glasses through the air.

Now all that seems to matter
Are those gold and diamond rings
And their wallets getting flatter
And how much they didn't bring.

They made it happen, somehow
Tossing glasses through the air.
They're finally making new vows,
Cursing rings they use to wear.




guitpikinani
United but Divided

It seems our life is going nowhere
A rose that never blooms
A flame without fresh air
A house with empty rooms

We used to be perfect together
A hand inside a glove
A port in stormy weather
Two people sharing love

But now my life is incomplete
A bird that has no wings
A heart without a beat
A song that no one sings

You feel that we should live apart
And now you've paid the price
A lawyer who has no heart
Has got you thinking twice

Though we still see each other
Our game of bride and groom
Hidden from your new lover
Is a night without a moon

And now you need reassurance
Within the O. R. Walls
A man with no insurance
A boy with big brass balls

Your lover you requested
To stay close by your side
Your brain must be infected
By your tumor deep inside

The lies you've said about me
Are much too hard to bear
It really does astound me
That you even seem to care

United, but divided
Are we lovers or just friends
For me, it's still undecided
A story without an end




guitpikinani
Waiting and Wondering

I ask you to call me and you say that you will,
But the phone doesn't ring and I'm sitting here still___
Waiting and wondering if you're out with your friend,
If you're having a good time wherever you've been.

You say you've met someone and you wanted to know
If you both wanted coffee, would I mind if you go.
I'm waiting and wondering why you break every rule.
You're having your cake and you're eating it, too.

You said you moved out 'cause funds were running low.
I, too, thought at the time it was best that you go;
But waiting and wondering is all I do now;
Wanting things to work out, but not knowing how.

You said that you'd be here in an hour or two,
'Pop a top ___wait for me', but as soon as I do,
I'm left waiting and wondering if you're telling lies
To your new-found someone, whom I can't help despise.

I showered and powdered and straightened up the house.
How'd I end up waiting for a date with my spouse?
I'm waiting and wondering when you're coming home,
Your beer's getting warmer as I stare at the phone.

You say I'm your lover, your friend and your wife,
But what are you planning for the rest of your life?
I'm waiting and wondering what's on your mind.
Please help me to see if I'm being too blind.

I pour your beer down the drain and turn off the light.
The chances are slim that you'll ever show up tonight.
You say you've been wondering if I've seen someone else
As I turn down the covers, I can't help but laugh to myself.

If only you knew what you are doing to me,
You would know your question was pure lunacy.
I'm waiting and wondering when you'll see the light,
Your side of the bed is awfully empty tonight.

As I watch the moon slowly pass across the sky,
I listen for your key in the door and ask why
I'm waiting and wondering, 'Who's fooling who?'
Alas, 'tis true...I'm fooling myself for still loving you!



guitpikinani
Forever In Love

Oh, what have you done with my heart
That it can not love another more than you
It was yours completely from the start
That hour we met, somehow I just knew

I could not get up and just walk away
Knowing you were still waiting for me
That hard knot I felt is still there today
Somehow, I believe it was meant to be.

How did you come to turn my world around
Oh, what power you have to make me feel
My heart and soul have left the ground
If I didn't know better, I'd say it wasn't real

But we can't deny what we've come to know
That we are forever joined at the heart
In good times, sad times, where'er we go
Neither distance nor trials will tear us apart

Your pain is my pain, your joys are my gain
Our sharing far greater than any gold
If not for you, I would surely go insane
Clawing to come in from the bitter cold

If anything hurts you, please know that I care
and will be here for you 'til sweet or bitter end
For nothing in this world will ever compare
to a love sheltered in the heart of a friend



guitpikinani
I Can't Help It!

One day is a thousand years
When I don't hear from you
I try to hold back the tears
As one day turns into two

Then three days are gone
And I haven't a single clue
How I can face another dawn
Without a word from you

My mailbox door is broken
From wearing out the hinge
Searching for just one token
Like a junky on a binge

For you see, my sweetest friend
I'm addicted to you badly
You are to me the living end
And I love you rather madly

I do have some pride, you know
But not when it comes to you
For any bone you decide to throw
Is the one I want to chew

Your hand is the one I want to feel
Running softly through my hair
Your love is so powerfully real
I am nothing without you there

Each day I go through the motions
Pretending everything's just fine
But visions of 'you and me' notions
Come creeping into my mind

I think I'll go check my mail again
Just one more time today
Before another hour comes to an end
And I've turned completely gray

You will just have to accept it
I won't give up 'til eternity's through
Dang it, Baby, I just can't help it
If I'm still in love with you!




band4shots2

guitarnme




E-mail Your Comments To:
Lilripple@hotmail.com



Click On Dove To Return Home!
Castle Chambers...Poetry by Lilripple


Thank You For Stopping By!