July 20, 2003

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  Just returned from another brief weekend getaway to our trailer.

  
  

  
  Nice restful trip. Had a good long swim in the pool at camp today, which worked wonders for my arthritis. Loaned Bernie a novel I enjoyed when I read it for a bookclub discussion this winter, Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money, and he read the whole thing over the weekend. I have been with this man since 1986, and this is the very first time I have ever seen him read a novel. I think he is mellowing with age. So good to see him relaxing.
  
  Not much to say. Having some trouble with my own words lately so I am going to rely once again on someone who can say things far better. In this case, brilliant lyricist Robert Hunter. This is a gem from the CD which is living in my car player this week, Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box. I highly recommmend it - its an oldie, but I never seem to tire of it. Now and then, the unique combination of percussion, rhythm, and vocal harmony, with Robert Hunter’s inimitable poetry, is just what I need. It can always transport me to another place…

  
  

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  The Sandman

  
  

  Lyrics: Robert Hunter
  Music: Hart, Jenkins, Welnick, Hidalgo
  
  
  

  Set aside your aggravation
  Let your reason fly
  To Hell with reputation
  Time for rock-a-bye
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and
  Ride, ride, ride
  
  Long, thin, white as snow
  Eyes as black as coal
  Bag of Sand, bright as gold
  To sprinkle on your soul
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  When the Sandman comes
  You can do it if anyone can
  You can do it if anyone can
  
  When the Sandman come
  When the Sandman come
  
  Never see the Sandman babe
  You only see the sand
  Might see some fingerprints
  But you won’t see no hand
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and ride
  
  Long, thin, white as fire
  Cold as Arctic ice
  Blue as skies of hearts desire
  Green as paradise
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and ride
  
  You can do it if anyone can
  You can do it if anyone can
  Baby if you don’t give a damn
  He’s about to give you one
  
  When the Sandman come
  When the Sandman come
  
  Sleep the sleep of sleepers
  Dream the dream of dreams
  When you look down deeper
  Nothing’s ever what it seems
  Underneath the surface
  There’s another surface yet
  If that makes you nervous
  There’s no need to be upset
  Nothing to alarm you
  Just take it in your stride
  Nothing here can harm you
  With the Sandman at your side
  
  All the colors in the box
  And some that you forgot
  Inside a midnight rainbow
  It all goes in the pot
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and
  Ride, ride, ride
  
  Black as blood, red as vice
  All the shades between
  Settle back, shut your eyes
  And slip into a dream
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and fly
  You can do it if anyone can
  If you can so can I
  
  When the Sandman comes
  When the Sandman comes
  
  Angels with a sword of flame
  And phantoms of the night
  All return to whence they came
  Dissolve in morning light
  When morning comes to wake you
  You may not remember well
  But I will not forsake you
  I have other dreams to tell
  
  Rag Bag Willy and Bam-Alam
  Climb on the kitty and fly
  Wham Bam Buffalo Man
  Water when the well runs dry
  
  Diamonds from an empty hand
  Thunder from a clear blue sky
  You can do it if anyone can
  If you can so can I
  
  You can do it if anyone can
  If you can so can I
  You can do it if anyone can
  If you can so can I
  [etc]
  

  
  

  *quick update: I don’t know how the little yellow post with the link ended up above this, but this update ought to bump this to the top where it belonged.

  
  

  I am off for my rendezvous with the sandman now, it’s been a long day.

  • 11:46 pm
  • 6 Comments