A Death

This is more true than you may believe, and the loss is more than you think.

I remember when Johnny Cash

And Waylon Jennings Died

I sat by myself,

And I cried.

 

What a loss

We have known.

These icons of the music,

They have flown.

 

I hear the radio

And watch the video.

But nothing I see or hear is the same

Oh no.

 

The reality has died.

Where is the sound I used to hear?

When I gave the radio my

Total ear.

 

Why do the guitars

Seem so flat?

And where did those horns come from?

Who ordered that?

 

The people who are singing

Up there on the stage

They try real hard,

but they ain't country.

 

I don't care if I see

sawdust on the floor

or a raccoon,

running out the door.

 

I just want the music

To make me feel the way

It used to feel.

Yesterday.............so long ago.

 

I know that rock and roll is dead

It was killed by the video star.

But Alan Jackson is the only one left,

I don't know where the others are.

 

Don't bother tuning to 98 FM

You won't hear it there no more.

The country music is waiting

For someone to settle the score.

 

I'm workin on it people, I'm workin on it!

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Believe me.

Reviews

[Antonionioni]

Horns have become popular in country music, have they? I didn't know that. Mind you, horns were often used in rock, particularly in the sixties, so I suppose it's about time country tried it. I suspec you, like me, quite like the raw, rough-edged simple treatment rather than something bland and over-produced with all the rough edges taken out. For instance, it makes it more interesting to listen to for me if the voice cracks occasionally and there's the odd bum note, than if the vox are flawless and the music too - though of course if the content of the material is good enough, then a perfect performance and production are not necessarily a bad thing - but great content and originality is rare.

[Desert Dreamer]

So true...real music on the radio is hard to find these days.

[cest la vie]

I too get lost in the maize of the radio dial..
what is music now?? Like you, when Old JC died, I said"This can't be happening". I grew up cleaning house to Ring of Fire..LOL
Love this tribute. Let us know when you have it all fixed.

[Emily B]

I remember that old 45 and A Boy Named Sue . . . they never made 'em any better than Johnny Cash or Roy Orbison or Elvis

Legends stand tall no matter how long ago they left us

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

So sad and such a great loss. Great Write!

[Pointblank]

More people than you realize feel the same as you do. Yes, times have changed and I can't really say for the better just different. I do remember though Johnny Cash having horns in one of his songs and they did help to make that song a hit. Anyway, I enjoyed the hell out of your poem.

[C.T. Bailey]

Oh man...I live just several miles for the Carter Fold. Johnny performed there just weeks I think before he passed. One of my favorite CD's is Highway Man. Waylon and Johnny, Chris and Willy. Man. I love your poem...but it speaks to a bigger topic...bigger. One of change and one of a failure to embrace the past and all that goes with it. I am a fan of Bluegrass music...which was born in these parts that I live. I am happy to say that I see more and more young people playing Bluegrass music. They are holding on to that culture. I heard a song the other day that rang of Johnny. It was Mark Knopfler's "Back to Tupelo". I hope you have heard it. Thank you for sharing this tribute to legends.
Todd