Free on a Friday! Emmeline felt like a school kid playing hooky.
These pesky politicians were a problem, but she was thankful they gave her an inadvertent day off...
And it looked to be another fine day. Em sighed. When WOULD we ever get rain? she wondered...Well, as she had to head to town for some things, she didn't begrudge the weather today at least. And, as it was so nice, she thought she would walk there. She was thinking about getting herself a bicycle and wanted to check them out in town.
Leaving her parasol, she took her straw hat instead, just in case she did find a bike and would be riding home. Wouldn't that be fun?!Let's see...her reticule she could tie onto the handlebars, or her belt...Well, she could also just get a basket for the bike, come to think of it...
Musing on such happy plans, Em soon reached town before she knew it.Well, if I do find a bike, I'll have to just head home with it, so I'll look around a bit, and pick it up before I head back if I find one I like...
Hours later found her at the hardware store, looking at a nice blue ladies' bike. She asked permission to try it out and taking a spin around the block, found it just to her liking. Why hadn't I gotten a bike sooner? Em thought. It was like flying...she recalled biking in her childhood days. Now that was fun! Emmeline resolved to do more things just because she wanted to. She paid for the bicycle, and got a nice straw basket that she affixed to the handlebars. There! Ready for anything now!
Em felt like celebrating. Asking if she could leave the bike awhile and pick it up in plenty of time before closing, she decided to head to the Teacup Cafe for a pick-me-up cuppa as a treat. Also buying a lock and chain for the bike, as the proprietor suggested, should she wish to lock it up while in town later, she then headed out to the cafe.
She hadn't been there since she and Alice were last together at their table for tea... But the hope of seeing Alice soon cheered Em anew.
The cafe was crowded for a weekday. Em perused the pastry counter debating just how much she wanted to celebrate...was a cream puff really worth the calories? How far would she have to bike to work that cream puff off, then? Hmm...Good thing Alice wasn't here with her today, she thought! Haven't heard such a crowd yakking it up in here in some time, we probably couldn't have a decent conversation just betwixt ourselves. Maybe I have been away awhile...possibly the cafe has just gotten this busy nowadays.
Edging closer to the counter to place her order at last, Em could single out a voice that seemed somehow familiar. Although evesdropping wasn't something she cared to indulge in, she could hardly help it, here. '...and I heard that she was seen tramping about down at the docks! In broad daylight, mind you!'
That voice! Em recognized it now. Halfwaffle! Damn, was she loose on a Friday as well? Oh, bugger all, she thought with distaste, borrowing a phrase from the Captain. I hope I can just get my tea and sneak back around the other side of the cafe and hide out 'til she leaves...That was her plan, at least...she crept up to the counter and quietly ordered tea and a Russian Tea Cake. So far, so good. She couldn't see Halfwaffle, seated around the corner and so figured neither had she, herself been seen.
'Is that right!?'Another familiar voice answered. 'Well! Just wait til you hear this! I happened to see her, driving off at night, with a...rather FOREIGN gentleman! Heading away from the docks! JUST the TWO of them, mind!Oh, yes indeed!' Em knew that vicious voice as well, it could only be Prude!
'FOREIGN, eh? A rather...Latin-type? The demimonde...It just figures!'Halfwaffle dripped vitriol with every word. 'Well, she won't be dragging down the rest of us along with her, I'll see to that!'
'Your tea, Miss!' Em was startled to see her tea tray arrive. Paying for it, she took her tray around the corner to a back table. Much quieter here.
So...Prude and Halfwaffle, on the warpath! Bring it on, thought Em. If it's a battle they want, well... Em bit into her cookie in earnest. Well, what, Em? You'll threaten them with City Hall?
After narrowly escaping implication in a jail-break of late? Em sighed...that took the air out of her. Oh, dear...a tyre pump! She'd also be needing that...Oh, blast! Here comes the decrepit duo of defamation now...Em knocked a knife from the table and bent to pick it up, taking her time as the duenna duchesses of drivel made their exit.
Em sighed as she straightened up, and poured more Earl Grey. Well!
Suppose it's possible that they weren't speaking of her... Em made a face. Right...She glanced about though. No one seemed to be paying her any mind. Small minds in a small town...maybe folks were used to Prude and Halfwaffle getting up in everyone else's business and simply ignored it. That's what she should do, as well.
Pedal on, Em! She told herself as she polished off her tea. You have an entire tea cake to work off now! Avanti!
. . . .
Em was flying downhill en route to Elm Street and home to Alice's when, feeling free, she slowed only slightly and put her boot down to help her turn a sharp corner, spraying dirt. Em grinned and was
enjoying every minute. Should've gotten a bike long ago!
Humming to herself as she pedalled home, she was feeling 10 years old and be-pigtailed again. 'oobla di, oobla da, life goes on, braaa! la la la la blah blah blah!' She couldn't recall all the silly words...
'Wuf! to you two too!' Em sang out to Mac and Frida then, home at last. She was patting her pals when of all people, Jack came trotting up on Trotsky.
Jack was frowning. 'I saw you Em, coming down that hill! You could've broken your neck, girl!'
'Oh Jack! I was not going at all fast! How do you like her? Ain't it cool?' Em beamed, all red hair and freckles.
'Ain't it cool!!' Jack dismounted, tying Trotsky. 'Em, look at me, dear.'
Jack seemed serious. Emmeline looked up into his blue-grey gaze. His eyes looked like San Pedro Bay, she thought...
Jack was nodding. 'The chip. They do this sometimes.'He sighed.
'It's...a glitch Em.'
'A glitch. Ah.'
'In my time...may we sit on the porch Em? I'll take your bike.'
He held out a hand. 'Nice bike.'
Em smiled and relinquished...what should she name her? Her bike will whisper her name to her soon...
They sat on the porch swing, at sunset. Jack leaned the gleaming new blue bike on the railing. 'How about Blue?' He said, grinning.
'How did you know I was thinking of a name for her?' Em smiled lazily, rocking with one foot.'Hm. I like Blue...'
'Em...' Jack toyed with his hat in hand, and sighed. 'There's a thing about time travel. Back in my time, getting chipped is nothing, it's like an ID card or passport...but, with time travel, the chips can cause...glitches.' he looked at her.
'Haven't the foggiest, old boy!' Em looked back at him.
'Ok. Em, it's like this...for time travelers, like myself, and Al, once you reach our time period, 2076, you are automatically chipped. Even when you return to your own time, you are still chipped. It just means...sometimes...you speak, think, interact socially in a different time frame. Al and I have had this problem here, only backwards. See?'
Em shook her head. She looked sideways at her new bike. 'Blue, yeah Blue...I love you...lil Blue...'She popped up from the swing and grabbed Jack's hand. 'Oh, Jack! You must teach me that song you were playing last time you were here! I can't get it out of my mind! You know, the polka, OOObla di OOObla da! C'mon, Jack!'...Emmeline was acting like a young lady of 26 years of age in 2076...
Jack didn't much like it.A good thing a glitch was only temporary. Jack really didn't get along all that well with most young ladies in his time period and culture. One reason why he loved to travel so much...well, I'll help her ride this thing out I guess.
It was after all, all his fault. Merde...
. . .
.
Saturday night at long last found Jack at home just polishing off dinner,'after a day of sanding the woodfloor of his practice room, when he heard heavy hoofbeats outside. Who ever would be coming all the way out here, Jack mused...we rarely have visitors at the end of the lane unless they're lost...
Jack went to the door and opened it. In the waning light he made out a large wagon and heard Homer and Jethro singing as they pulled up in the yard. A smile on his face, Jack headed outdoors to meet them.
'Get your dancin' shoes on, Jacky-blue!'Homer yelled down to him. 'We're goin' to town!'
'Is that right? You boys care to fill me in on what I'm supposed to be doing now?'
'Well, it's like this...'Jethro added, 'You want to hear some REAL music, come with us!'
'Rob William's in town, Jack!' Homer beamed, 'You know, and the Turlock Troubadors! Big-time band, Jack. Where you been?'
'Well, I admit I have been a mite out of touch, with travelin'around so much...'Jack allowed. 'Good band, eh?'
'The best in these parts,'Jethro encouraged,'Bring the doc, too! Where is he, anyhow?'
'Tie up a minute, boys, and come in!You might have to help me wrestle Al
out of his lab. Give us time to get dressed, then!' And Jack and 'the boys' went inside to fetch Parsons...
. . ..
'On the road again! I just can't wait to get on the road again!' Jack had taught the boys the ole road song which Al already knew well, and all sang
lustily as the wagon headed to town. Stopping at a crossroads before they got into the thick of city streets, they turned the wagon left and headed to the old Freestone Bridge which would take them across the river into West Pankhurst.
'So, you boys all familiar with Woody's place, I take it?' Jack asked, trying to keep his hat on his head in the bone-jarring ride over the wooden bridge.
'Oh, sure...'Homer answered, urging the team on despite their echoing hoofbeats on the wooden planks.'That ole place has been there a looong time, even before Woody got it. It used to be an old roadhouse and was well-known as a place to raise holy hell on a Saturday night...'
'...Hell, ANY night!'Jethro chimed in. 'Yeah, lotsa stabbin's and shootin's and bad poker games, had faro in the back room, dice...and the usual bad hombres comin' and goin'...not to mention love for hire...'
'Is that so...? Woody had asked if I'd like to play there some time!'Jack
was re-thinking that invitation in a new light now.
'Course that's all gone now! --Mostly.'Jethro allowed. 'Ah, don't fret, Jack, it's just a 'Tavern In the Town' now. Mostly locals there now, no ramblin' gamblin' men, not so much anyway...' Jethro sighed...'The days of opium dens along the river are long gone, I fear.'
Jack laughed. 'You sound regretful, Jethro!'
'Maybe a little. Oh, not really...too many people had lives ruined from the stuff. You can get hooked, if you're not careful. Just see what it did to the English! That's what they get for what they made of China! Ruined alot of lives, families, in both sides there. But, there used to be an ole Chinese guy...name escapes me now,'he winked,'I'd get the stuff from occasionally.' He put his hands up as if in denial already,'Just for medicinal purposes! And for some...botany experiments...trying to isolate
alkaloids...just out of curiousity. Wonder why some folks get addicted and some don't. Maybe...make a pain-killer that's non-addictive, somehow.'
Before Jack could pursue this topic, Homer added,'Yeah, West Pankhurst had that reputation all over. A place to go raise hell on Saturday, then come back across the river and go to church with the missus on Sunday. Used to be an old sayin','what happens in West Pank, stays in West Pank!'
Jack and Al laughed hard at that. Jethro pointed along the river road,'See, at the bend up ahead, where the road turns and heads to the left? Well, that big ole barn of a place on the riverside, that's Woody's!'
Indeed, as they came closer there was no mistaking where the action was, as it were. Quite the crowd here apparently, to judge from all the horses, wagons, bicycles and groups of folk outside smoking, talking and laughing. Lanterns hung from posts and trees, and music was echoing all around and down off the river.
'Bet you can hear this place pretty well from Pankhurst proper, at least in the old warehouse district!' Aleister exclaimed, smiling at Jack.
'Ohhh, yeah!'Homer agreed,'Whoooaaah there, Team, Hooooh!'And pulling up the wagon around back of the 'Lizard, Homer and Jethro proceeded to unhitch the team. Jethro regarded Jack,'Since we know ole Woody pretty well, he lets us stable Lulu and Scotty here at his livery,'he nodded at the low mews across the way.'We like our ponies to be comfortable!'
Ponies, indeed! Jack thought. A good thing these fellahs had alot of acreage of grass to feed these heavy haulers at home!
'You and Al head on in and say hi to Woody. The band we came to see isn't playing yet.' Homer nodded, 'You'll know it when they are! We'll catch up in a bit!'
. . . .
Aleister and Jack headed around the...front? they guessed. Hard to tell...
They sortof made a half-circle around the place, seeking an entrance...at last a crowd opened a door allowing light, smoke and noise to lead them inside...
The place was packed! No wonder people were grouped outside..'I guess finding a place to sit is out!' Al mused.'Let's try to find the bar at least, Jack.'
The men sidled through the masses of Pank's Party Animals of the Olde West in search of libations. Folk of every sort here...ranchers and farmers, dockyard workers looking like they just stopped in after work,all still in their dungarees and workboots, ladies in fine dresses...('slumming' the friends surmised...), gentlemen in old-fashioned frock coats and wide-brimmed hats, still sporting the airs of professional gamblers, groups of men in Mexican sombreros, and just folks, like themselves,including couples on the dance floor as a trio of fiddle, guitar and accordion played a polka.
The place smelled of straw, cigar smoke and beer, both old and new...and fried onions...'Smells like a county fair, eh, Jack? What could they be cooking up in here?'Aleister followed his nose and at last found the bar.
Al peered at a chalkboard menu: 'Fried Taters! Fried Sweet Taters! Fried Yams! Indian Fry Bread!Fried Catfish! Fried Onion Rings!--hmmm, I might give those a try!'
'As long as it doesn't run away, it'll get fried here, looks like,'Jack grinned. 'Get us a couple beers, Al!' Jack handed him some cash.'I'll be just over there!' He pointed to a space somewhat cleared of the mass of bodies pressed against the long bar which curved around in a U-shape.
Aleister eventually made his way to Jack's side with two bottles of Buffalo Beer and a newspaper full of hot, greasy onion rings,which Jack had to admit, smelled pretty good...The friends leaned up against the wall to the side of the bar, munching rings and sipping the good local brew, when Jack saw a familiar figure emerge from a room in back of the bar near them,'Woody! Hey, Woody, over here! It's Jack!'
Woody peered thru the smoky haze toward them. 'Jack! Hey!' He ambled over
their way. 'Glad you could make it! Great night to be here! Just you wait til ole Rob Williams and his boys get here!'
'Looks like you have a good crowd here tonight, Woody!'
Marley nodded. 'Oh, sure. It's pretty much like this every weekend though, Jack! Business is good! Alot to keep up with, but, I have a good crew...'He nodded at his bartenders and big guys hanging around the exits who Jack had surmised to be highbinders or bouncers,
'Good beer!' Jack said, 'Oh, Woody, like you to meet my podner, Doctor Parsons!'
The two shook hands. 'Aleister Parsons, good to meet you!'
Woody smiled and nodded.' We came here with Homer and Jethro! Any sign of them, yet, Jack?'
Woody peered over the crowd. 'Could be them coming in now! Well, gotta hustle! You boys enjoy! Be sure to stick around for the headliners!' And with a wave, Marley bustled off toward the stage at the far end.
'Well, knowing our two jack-mashers, they'll be headed toward the bar soon enough!'Jack commented.'Best just wait here.'
He was proven correct as Homer and Jethro made their way through the crowd, getting and giving handshakes and backslaps, and even kisses, Jack noted, en route their way. When they were within sighting distance, he signaled them over.
'All secure?' Aleister asked, proffering the onion rings, which were eagerly accepted, except by Jack.'One is plenty for me, Al!'
'These'll go down better with beer! First round's on me,'And Aleister bellied-up once more.
'Quite a crowd, boys! Any chance of getting a seat of some sort?' Jack had had a long day already working on the house. Homer and Jethro seemed nonplussed, however, and gazed over the crowd.
'Wait til the doc gets back with our...medicine...'Jethro munched an onion ring contemplatively. Soon Al returned with bottles four, and 'Follow us!'
Jethro took matters in hand and Jack and Al fell into step behind Homer with Jethro in the lead.
Jethro nodded to the band and he and Homer went in back of the stage and lifted out a wooden bench and carried it stage-side, 'Please be seated, gents!' Homer suited action to words and plopped his formidable self down with a sigh. The rest followed suit, and now Jethro was dragging out a small crate which he overturned before them for a table.
'Great spot, boys! Thanks!'Jack said appreciatively. 'I can tell you have both been here a time or two!' He took a long sip of the amber brew.
'Best seat in the house!'Homer sang out. 'And not a moment too soon, I'm thinkin'!' He nodded to the other end of the stage as several men in tall Stetsons began to file in, carrying various cases in different shapes and sizes.
'Quite a good-sized band!' Jack observed as the trio onstage finished up their last song to applause and whistles and the dance floor cleared while everybody headed to the bar whilst Rob William's band set up.'Which one is Williams?' Jack asked Jethro.
'Just look for a big ole Boss Of The Plains, that'll be him...'Jethro answered. 'Say, Homer, you feel like some coffee yet?'
Jack looked quizzically at Homer. 'Sure, sure, I could use some coffee...'
Jethro stood, 'Next round's on me boys. And I'll bring some coffee, too.'
He headed off purposefully toward the bar. Catching Jacks' eye, Homer opened his coat and winked. Had a nice flat silver flask in his pocket.
He closed his coat. '8-Ball in Inside Pocket!' He commented. 'Keeps the chill off...ok, see that man there with a hat tall as himself, with the fiddle-case? That there'd be ole Rob.'Homer leaned back. 'No one can touch his band for miles. Ole Stoneman's the best fiddler we have here locally, but, these boys...just you wait and see! They've got something special!'
Jack counted...six, seven, no eight fellas up there altogether. Horn-players too! That's ten...man!Jack was glad he came and had started to get a second wind.
Jethro returned bearing four Buffalos and had a pretty gal following him with a tray upon which sat an enamel drip-coffee pot and four cups. This she set down on the crate which the men had cleared off for her and set their empties on the tray to go, removing the pot and pouring coffee all round. Jethro bussed her a kiss on the cheek, 'Thanks, Sugar! You save a dance for me later, hear?!' She winked saucilly his way and headed on back to the bar, Jethro eyeing her as she went.
Woody Marley made his appearance onstage then. 'Everybody happy?' He enquired, to an overwhelmingly positive response of yells, whooo-hooo's, whistles and applause.'Well, alright then!Without further ado, let's give a warm Pankhurst welcome to none other than, the one, the only--Rob Williams and his Turlock Troubadors!'
Amid whoops and hollers, Rob and his boys broke into an eye-popping rendition of 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' the banjo players duelling it out double-time! Jack about lost his mind watching their fingers fly over the frets...damn! He felt like giving up guitar for good now,yipes...these ole boys must have done their teething on steel strings...he only vaguely was aware of Homer sliding some jack into his coffee cup, which he acknowledged with a smile. Things just seemed to blend into a haze after that, of finger-picking pandemonium, dancers swirling in skirt-swishing and boot-stomping sensation and musicians making music like Jack had only
heard in his dreams...
The evening wore on and Jack and Al were both feeling pretty mellow by intermission time. Al had even joined Homer and Jethro on the dance floor when Homer traded his galpal partner to Al for a polka...Jack felt fine just sitting where he was though, watching the action onstage. After the band had refreshed themselves, he noted a familiar face heading up on stage with them;Jack had seen that guy before...yeah, at the hoedown, and in the wagon with Lev that one day...oh, yes...and he'd given Em a ride home as well...hmmm.
He was further amazed to see someone even more familiar to him onstage now. 'Emmeline?' He sat up and stared dumbfounded.
'Well, would you look at that!'Jethro commented. 'Ole Woody managed to get her out here after all!'
Woody was stage-front then, nodding to the band, and then turned to face the crowd, holding an arm out toward the assembled musicians, 'A special treat tonight folks! Pankhurst's own will be joining Rob and the Boys! Ladies and Gents! May I present Miss Emmeline Page with Senor Marco Rivera on guitar! Once again--Rob Williams and His Turlock Troubadors! Take it away!'Woody led the applause as he leapt from the stage and the crowd joined in with 'Viva, Marco!' and 'Sing it, Em!' As the clapping and whistles died down abit, Em turned to Rob. 'Do you know 'Catfish John'?'
'Why, Miss Emmeline, I could play it in my sleep. 'Catfish John' boys!'And as Marco took the lead guitar, the banjo chimed in right on time.
Emmeline stepped to the front of the stage:
'Mama said, 'Don't go near that river!
Don't be hangin' round ole Catfish John!'
Come the morning, I'd always be there!
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn...'
'Whooo-hooo! Yeah, Em!' Jethro clapped in time to the music and winked at Jack, who still sat gazing at Em as though she'd popped out of a top hat.
He simply couldn't believe it...Emmeline. 'Live at the Leaping Lizard!'
Oy.
'Born a slave in the town of Pankhurst,
Traded for a chestnut mare,
He never spoke a word in anger,
though his load was hard to bear...'
'Mama said, 'Don't go near that river...'
Em sang sweetly on, as couples took turns on the dancefloor. Smiles on the faces of the crowd, some looking wistful, all were enchanted. It was a pretty tune, and sometimes rather sad, but it was a perfect song for Woody's place; a river song and a Delta song, and Em had certainly been warned away from the riverside herself, times enough...
Jack watched her singing to the crowd, gently swaying in time to the music, Sitting off to one side as they were, she didn't notice him there...she did look at Marco and smile occasionally, though, Jack saw.
She had a sweet voice, he knew...and watching her up onstage then, somehow Jack felt removed from the scene...as though he was just part of the woodwork or watching it all through a window from outside.
Al looked at Jack then, noting his quiet demeanor. 'She sings a treat, Jack, don't you think?' Jack sighed then. 'That she does, Al.' What more could he say? That he'd no idea she would be here? That he'd no idea she was...with Marco? Jack wasn't sure what was happening...only that he was obviously not a part of it.
Jack didn't even notice that the song had ended, only that folks were whistling and applauding and Em had exited the stage, leaving Marco to play on with the band. Jethro had gone up to find her and say a word to her...he noted they were talking on the opposite stage-side.'Back in awhile,'Jack told Al and he took himself off...he felt adrift and had no idea what he could say to her.
Maybe...Jack thought...it just may be...that Al wasn't the only lonely one. Maybe he'd lost Em,Jack mused, without ever really having found her.
. . . . .
Outside, Jack took in a lungfull of clear air. Good to be out here and away from the smoke for awhile, he thought. He wandered around the Lizard, kicking horse biscuits and not really thinking of anything...just feeling like his stomach had fallen down to his toes for some reason...
Jethro found Jack leaning on the fence railing, overlooking the river.
'Nice air out here,'he said.'No stars out, gettin cloudy. Seems like they're smaller here in town anyway.' He looked at Jack. 'Say, Jack, we're all having a turn or two onstage with ole Rob there! You oughta join us!'
'Oh, Jethro, I'm not suchamuch. Didn't bring my guitar anyway...'Jack demurred.
'Heck, don't matter...we're all using each other's,c'mon Jack.' He handed him the flask. 'Em knows you're here. She's asking about you.'
'Hm.'Jack took a nip. And another.'Is she now.'
'C'mon...'Jethro slapped Jack's back, and started walking. Stopped. Looked at him. Jack followed, half-heartedly.
. . . . .
When they returned to the Lizard, it was Leaping indeed. The band was barely fitting onstage there were so many 'guest musicians'--locals who had been invited on up to play with Rob. He was famous for making the local musicians feel at home and it was one reason folks liked him so much wherever he went. Woody had rolled his old piano up onstage as well and was ripping out a ragtime tune with the band. Various instruments had been rustled up and Aleister was even keeping rhythm on a washboard. Jack had to smile at that. Homer had brought his guitar and was merrily riffing away somehow keeping time even after all that beer and jack. Well, it was strong coffee, Jack had to admit...a good thing, too. And, he noticed, Marco was onstage but Emmeline was not. Jack saw then that she was seated on their bench talking with Sugar, the waitress, who was taking a break.
The song ended as Jack and Jethro came up stageside and joined in the applause. Woody saw Jack and motioned him up to the piano. 'Play something slow, Jack! These folks out there need to cool down some, ok?'
Jack felt himself shoved up onstage by Jethro and Woody grabbed his arm and sat him down on the piano bench, then turned to the crowd below.
'Time for a little belly-rubbing, folks! And along with Rob Williams and his Boys, and various local rascals here!' (whoops and hollers from audience and friends of said rascals)'we're introducing Mr. Jack Van Horn, on the piano!Let's give him a warm welcome, then!' Woody again led the applause as he swung down offstage and joined Em , Sugar and Jethro on the bench.
'Here's a low and slow river tune for you all, called 'Lowlands,''Jack nodded to the band and began playing...
'I'm headed for the lowlands,
won't you please direct my way?
Train is leaving shortly,
There's no time for delay.
She told me she'd be waiting.
I'm not so sure she is.
I heard that there's another man
Who claims that she is his...'
Jack looked at Em then who, he noticed, had moved over to his side of the stage and was watching intently.
'Lowlands were my home,
When I was but a child,
They will be my deathbed
When I've passed my time...'
'I remember one summer day, the clouds began to build
We gathered the cattle up that had scattered in the field.
'It started in to rain and continued several days
The river overflowed and The crops all went to waste...'
'You know that I'm no failure
Though my victories are few
I'm tryin' to do my best here
But there's just so much to do...
Lowlands were my home...when I was but a child...'
Jack left off singing then, and just played the lovely melody,
someone had given Jethro a mandolin and he stood next to Jack and
played those sweet,high, plaintive notes that complemented
a ballad so well. Couples swayed around the dance floor and some
were gliding off into darkened corners...The song ended to applause
and then suddenly the outside door burst open and a group of wringing wet people came tearing in, whooping and hollering!
'It's raining! It's raining! The drought's over! RAIN AT LAST!!
Whoo-hoo!'
People crowded outside to view this newest miracle. That Jack had been
able to play at all had been the first. He looked up and could hear hard rain falling on the rooftop.
Someone was sitting on the piano bench next to him. 'Hello, Jack.'
He nodded. ''lo Em.'
'You called down the rain,Jack.'She said, taking his hand.'The sky
itself couldn't help but weep at that old song...'
Jack smiled his woeful grin and stood. 'C'mon, Em, let's go see what rain looks like.'
. . . . . .
Jack and Em got a good soaking and then found it was a COLD rain...'Still Febuary I guess!' He said to her. Em laughed. 'I don't care! It's wonderful! I'm so glad we won't be baked dry this year!'
'HEYYYYY! Ain't y'all seen rain before?' It was Woody calling from the doorway. 'Git back in here! Y'all are gonna cause an epidemic in this county and I'll get the blame like I do for everything from mothers-in-law to moles!'
The crowd outside laughed, and noticed then that they were indeed wet and cold.
'Jack! Get your ivory-tinklin' butt back in here! I ain't done with you yet! Nor you, Miss Emmeline!'
Summarily summoned by His Highness of Hoedowns, the two returned running inside and the crowd followed.Rob and the Boys were taking a break what with all the rain ruckus and Woody was losing money if all his beer drinkers were outside wetting their whistles with rainwater...Well, ok then, they'd help heat the place back up, Jack decided...
Seated together at the piano bench, Jack looked at Em. 'You remember the chords and your part, yes? Got the words pretty much?'
Em smiled and nodded. She knew where they were headed.To her amazement, and Jack's, a tuba player joined them,and a mandolino with Jethro at the helm, and Homer and Marco on guitars.
'OK!'Jack yelled,'And a-one and a-two!'Bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-da-da-da-da-da-Dum, Ba-da-bum, Ba-da-bum...
'Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace!
Molly is a singer in a band!
Desmond says to Molly, girl I like your face!
And Molly says this, as she takes him, by the hand!'
Looking at each other, Em and Jack sang:
'Oobla di! Oobla da! Life goes on, braaa!
La la la, la, life goes on!'
. . . . .
D G
Mama said don't go near that river
D A
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
D G
But come the morning I'd always be there
D A D
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.
G D
Born a slave in the town of Vicksburg
G D
Traded for a chestnut mare
G D
He never spoke a word in anger
A D
Though his load was hard to bear.
D G
Mama said don't go near that river
D A
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
D G
But come the morning I'd always be there
D A D
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.
Guitar & fiddle solos: G | D | G | D | G | D | A | D
D G D
Catfish John was a river hobo
G D
He lived and died on the river bend
G D
Thinkin' back I still remember
A D
I was proud to be his friend.
D G
Mama said don't go near that river
D A
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
D G
But come the morning I'd always be there
D A D
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.
Banjo and mandolin solos: G | D | G | D | G | D | A | D
D G D
Let me dream of another morning
G D
And a time so long ago
G D
When the sweet magnolias blossomed
A D
And the cotton fields were white as snow.
D G
Mama said don't go near that river
D A
Don't be hangin' around old catfish John
D G
But come the morning I'd always be there
D A D
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.
D G
Come the morning I'd always be there
D A D
Walking in his footsteps in sweet delta dawn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GfYV3db0aM
and dont miss: 'Jack's": 'Lowlands'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Nl7DWIpL4
"The Lowlands"
I’m headed for the lowlands, would you, please, direct my way?
The train is leaving shortly, there’s no time for delay
She told me she’d be waiting, I’m not so sure she is
I heard that there’s another man who claims that she is his.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
I remember one summer day, the clouds began to build
We gathered the cattle that had scattered ‘cross the fields
Well, it started to rain and continued several days
The river overflowed and the crops all went to waste.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
You know that I’m no failure though my victories are few
I’m trying my best but there’s too much here to do
That girl I love once told me I made here feel secure
It’s hard to think I’ve been replaced., nothing does endure.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
The train is leaving shortly, there’s no time for delay
She told me she’d be waiting, I’m not so sure she is
I heard that there’s another man who claims that she is his.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
I remember one summer day, the clouds began to build
We gathered the cattle that had scattered ‘cross the fields
Well, it started to rain and continued several days
The river overflowed and the crops all went to waste.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
You know that I’m no failure though my victories are few
I’m trying my best but there’s too much here to do
That girl I love once told me I made here feel secure
It’s hard to think I’ve been replaced., nothing does endure.
The lowlands were my home when I was but a child
They will be my deathbed when I’ve past my time.
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