My Funky Friend

an ode to Animal

Oh Animal, my funky friend 

where in the world do I even begin?

Perhaps the backyard is a real good start 

Fireside jams with all our friends 

It was the place to be after the shows would end 

We’d laugh, we’d sing 

we’d talk about things 

Stokin the fire 

feedin the flames 

“hippies leave at dawn” was the name of the game 

Earlier in the night at a spot nearby

the boys made a ruckus 

Gettin’ the crowd real high

The jams real groovy 

the seeds real funky 

And oh how the booties would shake 

”shake it up like a big earthquake”

Time and again 

show after show 

wherever they’d go 

Blue was sure to show!

And oh my, my - that magic in the hills 

of the orange blossom groves

Where we were all free 

in that jam of jamborees 

to choose what we chose

and be who we be 

One last thing- but certainly not the least 

the unforgettable times on the road 

Sunfest and Floyd - man, we got down!

Everybody knew it when we rolled into town

”can’t stop won’t stop till we get it right”

I’m here to tell ya- y’all got it right, alright!

Next town, next stage 

night after night 

All of this and so much more 

The music, the memories, the laughs,

the long talks...and those good cries 

are all ingredients in the cosmic stew 

of this precious friendship between me and you 

So now it’s time for me to say:

“Godspeed and be on your way”

The very words I never wanted to say

Ride on in that Gypsy Wind

And blow their minds

in that great gig in the sky

My dearest Animal

My funky friend