The Legend of Hobo Eben
THE LEGEND OF THE
McGRAYLAND BROTHERS
HOBO EBEN AND STEEL WILL
(The Second Greatest Story Ever Told)
Scribed in Medley
Written by: William V. Gray
Book Illustrations By sons:
Dwayne and Jay Gray & Grandson Jeremiah Bradshaw
and Don Van Well
© Copyright
and Don Van Well
© Copyright
THE LEGEND OF THE HOBO
Preface......
I
must say we appreciate the excellent talent of our gifted friends, very
graciously developing a large number of lovely ballads in the world.
From
a small number of these I have extracted a few verses or words to
remind the readers of this legend, my words can never express the
feelings more deeply than those related in song by these most talented
masters of the art. We thank you for your contributions to society.
The
motivating spirit behind the action appearing in this Legend, occurred
during the 20's and hard 30's near and around the Shepherd of the Hills,
Frank & Jessie James hideout etc.
This
legendary figure, could perhaps be one of the millions of drifters
during the hard depression, that made the rails their mode of travel,
the box car their shelter, the campfire before which they spun their
tails of many woes.
This dialogue is a reminder of the Huck Finn & Tom Sawyer episodes.
The "Hobo's" as land rovers drifting here and there across this vast nation.
I,
the Author, personally had a nephew (Allen Gray) that drifted with the
lonely winds across the Western plains and the deep South wherever the
rails would lead him. Working at odd jobs; punching cattle at one place,
shearing sheep at another, lumber jacking at still another.
Likewise
I have personally lived to experience many of the things written herein
as hard experiences of past history making a mental impression I will
never forget.
May this experience open to the throng of young folks what may happen if they personally correlate hard work with mind power.
© Copyright 1995 William V. Gray
KEEPS CALLING ME BACK.
WHILE OTHERS SCRAMBLED FREE.
A HARDY HELLO TO YOU YOUNG FOLKS,
WITH EXPERIENCE YET TO GAIN,
AND WE HONOR WITH DEEP RESPECT THE OLD FOLKS,
WITH WISDOM YET REMAIN.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS LEGENDARY FIGURE,
HARD EXPERIENCES HAS TAUGHT,
AS APPLES OF GOLD IN SILVER CARVINGS,
BOUND DEEP WITHIN HIS THOUGHTS.
LISTEN WELL TO THIS LEGEND,
THERE’S AN ABUNDANCE TO GAIN,
AS YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE’S FLEETING MOMENTS,
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE CANE.
PEOPLE SAY I’M A DRIFTER,
AND MOST AGREE THAT IS ALL,
“HOBO EBEN”, THEY WOULD CALL OUT,
HOBO EBEN! THEY WOULD SHOUT,
“YOU’LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING!’,
AND EBE WOULD BECOME DEJECTED,
GOING OFF THEN TO POUT.
AT TIMES I’D BECOME ANGRY,
THEN CONSIDERING THE SOURCE,
ME THINKS; `EBEN RISE BEYOND THIS,
AS YOU COMPASS YOUR COURSE’,
PERHAPS THEY WERE RIGHT,
ME-SELF EBEN, MUST CONFESS,
BUT MY LIFE IS NOT ENDED,
I MUST TELL THE REST.
ME PATHWAYS OF THINKING ARE NOT
THAT WAY AT ALL,
FOR I’LL SETTLE DOWN FROM ME DRIFTING
SOME DAY YOU WILL SEE,
AND THIS TITLE WILL CHANGE,
AS I BECOME WHAT I’LL BE.
IT'S TRUE, I WAS BORN,
NEAR THAT OLD RAILROAD TRACK,
IN THAT TUMBLED DOWN SHANTY,
LIGHT STREAMING THROUGH THE CRACKS,
BUT LIKE A MILLIONAIRE’S MANSION,
I REMEMBER AS A SMALL LAD,
IN MY ROMPERS I’D PLAY,
TATTERED AND WORN,
BUT CLEAN, MOM WOULD SAY.
I CAN YET SEE SO VIVIDLY,
DEAR OLD MOM SITTING THERE,
SINGING LULLABIES AT LEISURE,
IN THAT OLD ROCKING CHAIR.
I STILL HEAR THOSE SONGS,
SO DEAR TO MY HEART,
I’LL NOT ATTEMPT TO SING THEM,
JUST PEN THEM IN PART.
`TIE ME TO YOUR APRON STRINGS AGAIN,
I KNOW THERE’S ROOM FOR ME UPON YOUR KNEE,
I THOUGHT THAT I WAS RIGHT,BUT I WAS WRONG,
PLEASE TAKE ME BACK AGAIN, WHERE I BELONG,
SING THOSE CRADLE SONGS TO ME AND THEN,
WON’T YOU TIE ME TO YOUR APRON STRINGS AGAIN’
AND AGAIN SHE WOULD SING:
`OH COME TO THE CHURCH IN THE WILD WOODS,
OH COME TO THE CHURCH IN THE DELL,
NO PLACE WAS SO DEAR TO MY CHILDHOOD,
AS THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH IN THE DELL.’
AND AGAIN:
`COME ON GET THAT FROWN OFF YOUR FACE,
LET A BRIGHT SUNNY SMILE TAKE ITS PLACE.
HEAVENS ALL AROUND YOU, ITS JOY YOU CAN KNOW,
IF YOU KEEP JESUS WHEREVER YOU GO.
DON’T NEVER LET THE BLUES GET HOLD OF YOU,
ALWAYS KEEP THE VICTORY, WHATEVER YOU DO.
COME ON GET THAT FROWN OFF YOUR FACE
AND SMILE, SMILE, SMILE.
CAN’T YOU SEE, WITH ENDEARING MELODIES,
WHAT PRINCIPLES SHE IMPLIED?
I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM,
TIL THE VERY DAY THAT I DIE.
AND EQUAL HONOR TO ME FATHER,
A GENTLEMAN IN HIS OWN RIGHT,
LABORING HARD TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY,
WORKING FAR INTO THE NIGHT.
FOR HE WORKED FOR THE
WABASH AS A YARD MAN,
DIRECTING THE HOOKUPS OF CARS,
ONLY AS A YARD MAN CAN.
AND THE OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE,
CARS LOADED WITH ORE,
PASSED CLOSE TO OUR SHANTY,
RATTLING OUR WINDOWS,
WHILE PASSING OUR BACK DOOR.
I SAY AGAIN, OF ME FATHER,
THAT GENTLE OLD MAN,
TEACHING WISDOM BY POEM,
AS HE SETTLED ON THE DIVAN,
`LISTEN WELL TO ME LAD
AND KEEP YOURSELF ON AN EVEN PLANE,
FROM DEBASED GUTTER KNOWLEDGE,
DO YOU BEST TO REFRAIN.’
WITH THOSE HUGE HANDS ON ME FOREHEAD,
HE’D SO GENTLY CARESS,
AND HIS WORDS FLOWED SO KINDLY,
FOR HE MEANT TO IMPRESS.
(THEN HE’D PAUSE AND THIS HE WOULD SAY)
`WHEN A JOB IS ONCE BEGUN,
NEVER LEAVE IT TIL IT’S DONE.
BE IT LARGE OR BE IT SMALL,
DO IT RIGHT OR NOT AT ALL.’
1. WHEN WISDOM ENTER INTO YOUR HEART
THINKING ABILITY WILL GUARD YOU.
2. MAY LOVING KINDNESS AND TRUENESS NEVER LEAVE YOU.
3. DO NOT HOLD BACK GOOD TO THOSE TO WHOM IT’S OWING.’
4. GUARD YOUR HEART YOUNG MAN, AS A WISE SON,
5. IN THE SEAT OF THE WICKED, DO NOT SIT.’
6. THE PLANS OF THE DILIGENT BRINGS MUCH GAIN.’
(THEN PAUSING AGAIN, HE’D CONTINUE)
`OF LIFE’S DYING EMBERS,
THIS IS MY REGRET,
WHEN I’M RIGHT,
NO-ONE REMEMBERS,
WHEN I’M WRONG,
NO-ONE FORGETS.’
BUT EBE DIDN’T LISTEN THEN
I’M SORRY TO SAY,
JUST BOWING OUT GRACEFULLY,
HE’D BOUND OUT TO PLAY.
AS DOLLY SANG OF THE MANY COLORS,
HER CHERISHED COAT CAME TO BE,
THAT SHE SANG OF THE MANY PATCHES,
MY COAT YOU CAN SEE.
AND HER DIRECTION OF SONG,
THOUGH NOT INTENDING TO BE,
THOSE HEAVILY DIRECTED WORDS,
SETTLED SQUARELY ON ME.
AS I THINK OF ME CHILDHOOD,
I REMEMBER SO WELL,
THE LITTLE THINGS SO NUMEROUS,
I CAN’T ATTEMPT TO TELL.
BUT A FEW OF THE FUNNY THINGS,
I’LL CAUSE TO UNWIND,
MAYBE YOU’LL FIND THEM AMUSING,
AS YOU IMBIBE THEM TO MIND.
ALONG ABOUT NOON,
IN THE LATTER PART OF JUNE,
OH, WHAT A MARVELOUS DAY!
SOUTH WINDS WERE BLOWING,
GREEN GRASS WAS GROWING,
AND WE QUICKLY GOT ON OUR WAY.
ABOUT A DOZEN OF WE LADS,
SO SHABBILY CLAD,
STOLE DOWN TO THE WATER HOLE TO PLAY.
WHERE TWO STREAMS COMBINED,
AND THE WATERS WERE CONFINED,
TO OUR MINDS BECAME SO ENDEARING,
AND SO COMPLETELY SUBLIME.
WHERE THE WATER-CREST GREW,
AND THE WATER SO CLEAR,
MADE THE SWIMMING THERE,
OH, SO DIVINE!
THERE THE AIR WAS SO FRESH,
AND THE SKIES WERE SO BLUE,
IN THOSE AIRWAYS,
WHERE THE SOUTHERN GEESE FLEW.
YES, THOSE BLUE SKIES ABOVE,
MADE THIS PLACE WE SO LOVED,
TUG AT HEART STRINGS,
SO THOROUGHLY ENTWINED.
ON THIS WARM SUMMER DAY,
REMOVING OUR CLOTHES WITH A SHOUT,
WE HAD CLEARLY IN MIND WHAT WE’D DO.
IN THE SEASONS THAT PAST,
WE’D WET DOWN THE BANKS,
MAKING A SLIDE,
THAT WAS MOST SURPRISINGLY FAST.
DOWN THOSE WET BANKS WE’D GLIDE,
LIKE A CANNONBALL WE’D SLIDE,
OR LIKE A ROCKET,
FROM CANAVERAL, WE’D BE.
OR, GETTING WAY BACK ON THE BANK,
HOLDING ONTO THE SWINGS,
MAKING A RUN,
SWINGING HIGH OUT FROM A TREE.
JACK KNIFING UP THERE,
COMING DOWN THROUGH THE AIR,
HITTING THE WATER
WITH A THUNDEROUS SPLASH!
YES, WE’D BEEN SKINNY DIPPING,
SWINGING, SWIMMING AND SLIDING,
BOBBING OUT OF THE WATER WITH GLEE.
WE’D SPEND MOST OF THE DAY,
WITH THE TIME SLIPPING AWAY,
SOON IT WAS TIME,
TO BRING A CLOSE TO THE SPREE.
BUT MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE,
OUR CLOTHES WERE FOUND MISSING,
BRINGING A SUDDEN END,
TO THE GLEE.
WE SCAMPERED ABOUT FRANTICALLY,
AS WE LOOKED TO AND FRO,
AS WE QUESTIONED ONE ANOTHER,
NOT ONE OF US KNOWS.
WHO’D BE SO DARING
TO DO SUCH A THING,
AND RUN OFF WITH ALL
OUR CLOTHES?
WELL, FINALLY SETTLING DOWN
ME SERIOUSLY BEGINS TO THINK,
`COULD IT BE YOUR SISTER, MICK,
WHO’D THINK UP SUCH A PRANK?’
WELL, QUITE A DISCUSSION AROSE,
AND THERE WERE THOSE THAT OPPOSED,
TO BECOME SELECTED TO
CONFISCATE OUR CLOTHES.
WELL, OLD MICK WAS QUICKLY CHOSEN,
BECAUSE OF HIS SIZE,
THERE WASN’T MUCH HE COULD DO,
SO HE OPTED FOR THE PRIZE.
`FLIP THE STONE!’
SOMEONE SAID,
SO WE SEARCHED THE GRAVEL BED,
FOR A FLAT ROCK THAT WOULD SOON
FILL THE BILL,
ONE WAS AT LAST FOUND,
LOOKING AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN GROUND,
COMING STRAIGHT FROM THE WHEEL OF A MILL.
`SPIT ON IT!’ SOMEONE CRIED.
`AND LET THE DRY SIDE DECIDE.’
WELL, THE WET SIDE FELL UP
TO EACH ONE AND ALL,
BUT WHEN IT CAME AROUND TO ME
THE WET SIDE DID FALL.
WELL, AFTER SOME DISCUSSION,
A DECISION WE DERIVED,
SO UP THAT DRAW QUICKLY,
OLD MICK AND I GLIDE.
WELL, WE MADE IT UNDETECTED,
TO THE STREET ACROSS FROM HIS HOUSE,
STOOD THERE IN THE BUSH QUIET,
LIKE A LITTLE CHURCH MOUSE.
WHO’D MAKE THAT MAD DASH,
I ALREADY KNEW,
AUTOMATICALLY MICK WAS ELECTED,
BEING THE SMALLER OF THE TWO.
SO AWAY MICK SCAMPERED,
LIKE A STRIPED APE,
IN THE FRONT DOOR AND
OUT OF SIGHT HE ESCAPED.
WELL, AFTER SOME TIME,
OUT WALKED OLD MICK,
ALL SMILES AND FULLY CLAD,
WITH ARMS PILED WITH CLOTHES,
I WAS NEVER SO GLAD!
SO GRABBING MY PANTS,
WITH BOTH HANDS I DID LOVINGLY HOLD,
STARING AT THEM GLARINGLY,
AS A PURE NUGGET OF GOLD.
SWIFTLY PULLING THEM ON,
I VERY QUICKLY RE-CLAD,
DOWN THE DRAW WE DID SCAMPER,
TO THE OLD SWIMMING HOLE,
THE PLACE WE’D BEEN HAD.
WELL, LATER THAT EVEN ING
FOR THE PRANKSTERS DID HIDE,
WE LOOKED FOR THEM FRANTICALLY
BECAUSE THEY’D STEPPED ON OUR PRIDE.
AT FIRST WE WERE ANGRY,
BUT IT DIDN’T LAST LONG,
FOR THOSE GIRLS WERE OUR BUDDIES,
AS TOMBOYS YOU SEE,
SO WE DECIDED IN SHORT ORDER
THAT WE WOULD JUST LET IT BE.
AND BURSTING INTO LAUGHTER,
WE DID LAUGH AT OURSELVES,
FOR BEING SO CARELESS,
YES, FOR BEING SUCH ELVES.
BUT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING,
ON OUR MANY YOUTHFUL JOYS,
FOR WITH OUR OWN TINY HANDS,
WE DESIGNED MANY TOYS.
TREE SWINGS AND TREE SHACKS,
AND WAGONS THAT SQUEAKED,
BOB SLEDS, AND SCOOTERS,
MADE FORM PARTS WE WOULD FIND,
PUTTING THEM TOGETHER AND REARRANGING,
CREATING OUR OWN LITTLE DESIGNS.
WHEEL, BOARDS, AND AXLES,
FROM THE OLD DUMP HEAP,
BROUGHT JOYS BEYOND WORDS,
FOR MERE HUMANS TO SPEAK.
DAD WAS DOING QUITE WELL,
BEFORE THE BANKS CLOSED THEIR DOORS,
PLANNED TO TEAR DOWN OUR SHANTY,
AND BUILD A HOUSE WITH FINE FLOORS.
BUT HIS PLANS WERE THWARTED,
AND BY NO MEANS BY HIMSELF,
SO THOSE PLANS REMAINED UNTOUCHED,
AS THEY LAY ON THE SHELF.
WELL, I WAS IN MY LATE TEENS,
WHEN THE BIG CRASH CAME,
MANY PEOPLE TOOK THEIR LIVES,
NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT SUCH A STRAIN.
WITH NO MONEY IN THE COUNTRY,
NO MONEY TO BE HAD,
MY FEET TOOK TO WANDERING,
AS QUITE A YOUNG LAD.
SO I WANDERED THE LAND,
NOT A DIME IN ME HAND.
AND SWEARING AT HARD LABOR
WAS NOT IN ME PLAN,
TAKING HANDOUTS AS PLEASURE
WHENEVER I CAN.
AS TIME TWAS MY HOME
WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM,
AND THE DEER AND THE ANTELOPE PLAY,
OH GIVE ME THIS LAND WHERE THE
WHITE DIAMOND SAND,
FLOWS GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM.
WHERE THE GRACEFUL WHITE SWAN,
GOES GLIDING ALONG,
LIKE A MAID IN A HEAVENLY DREAM.
TIME TIGHTENED DOWN IN THE THIRTY’S,
MANY WILL ATTEST SO MUCH TO.
PATCHED CLOTHES ON OUR BACK.
AND LARGE HOLES IN OUR SHOES.
I MANAGED TO SEND WILL A CARD,
TWAS PICKED UP ON THE MAIL,
AS WILL READ THE MESSAGE,
HE SOON PICKED UP MY TRAIL.
SO GRABBING A HANDFUL OF BOX CARS,
HE SOON CAUGHT UP WITH ME,
AS HE MADE IT BY RAIL,
DOWN THE OLD SANTE FE’.
STEEL WILL AND I WERE DEAR FRIENDS,
AS YOU’LL QUICKLY BEHOLD,
AND YOU’LL SEE WHY DIRECTLY,
AS THE STORY UNFOLDS.
MANY STARED IN WONDERMENT,
WHY WE WERE SO CLOSE?
FOR WE DONE ALL THINGS TOGETHER,
THE THINGS WE LOVED MOST.
WELL, WE KEPT IT A SECRET,
TWAS NONE OF THEIR BIZ,
WHEN ASKED, WE’D SHRUG IT OFF,
SAYING, `THINGS ARE AS THEY IS.’
YES STEEL WILL AND I WERE BUDDIES,
AS REAL BUDDIES GO.
WHAT A GOOD FRIEND TO HAVE,
WHAT A GRAND FELLOW TO KNOW.
MY LARGE GOOD HEARTED BROTHER,
WAS SOMEWHAT MORE THAN SIX NINE,
BUYING CLOTHES FOR THE BIG FELLOW,
MADE MOM AND DAD WHINE.
JUST A GLANCE AT THOSE HUGE MUSCLES,
GAVE AN APPEARANCE OF MUCH MORE,
I MYSELF WAS MUCH SHORTER,
ENDING UP AT SIX FOUR.
TO BUY CLOTHES THAT WOULD FIT US,
WERE NO WHERE TO BE FOUND,
SO MOM, AS A FINE SEAMSTRESS
WOULD MAKE THEM,
OR BY MAIL ORDER HAVE
THEM SENT TO OUR TOWN.
AUTUMN LEAVES WERE NOW FALLING,
TWAS A CHILL IN THE AIR,
FOR COLD WINDS ON THOSE
NORTHERN SLOPES,
WE WERE FULLY AWARE.
WE WERE GOING THROUGH GEORGIA
ON THE OLD CANNON BALL,
SO ONE MORNING VERY EARLY,
ON THIS SECOND TRIP SOUTH
WE WERE UP AT DAWN,
AS WE BEGAN PICKING OUR ROUTE.
HEADING SOUTH FOR WARMER CLIMATE,
WAS WHAT THE MAPPING WAS ALL ABOUT.
SO FROM CHARLESTON, TO KNOXVILLE,
CHATTANOOGA ON THE WAY,
AT ATLANTA WE WOULD DROP,
AND FOR A SPELL WE WOULD STAY.
OUR STOMACHS WERE GROWLING,
AND WE BOTH BEGAN MOANING,
WE WERE ON A LONG GRADE,
AND THE ENGINE IS GROANING.
YOU COULD HEAR THE BIG DRIVERS,
AS THEY’D SLIP ON THE TRACK,
AND WATCH THAT BLACK SMOKE ROLL,
AS SHE’D BELCH FROM THE STACK.
SO SLIDING THE DOOR OPEN WE
LOOKED ALL AROUND,
WE REACHED FOR THE SIDE BARS
AND LET OUR FEET DOWN,
AND HEARD WITH ASTONISHMENT
THAT OLD FAMILIAR SOUND,
`FLIP YOU KNAPSACKS AND FLOP
YOUR BELLIES TO THE GROUND!’
THOSE RAILROAD DETECTIVES,
HAS US FIGURED IN THEIR PLOT,
SO RELEASING THEIR HANDCUFFS,
HANDCUFFED US ON THE SPOT.
WE WERE ESCORTED BY FOOT ON INTO TOWN,
AND ON TO THE HOOSEGOW,
WHERE JUDGE PEACH WITHOUT PITY,
LAID HIS HARSH SENTENCE DOWN.
WELL, A FEW DAYS LATER,
WITH THE LOSS OF MUCH SLEEP,
WE WERE USHERED TO THE COURT HOUSE,
NOT UTTERING A PEEP.
WITH HANDCUFFS AND SHACKLES,
WE APPEARED BEFORE THE BENCH,
PERHAPS EMITTING SOME ODOR,
AS WE STOOD IN OUR STENCH.
WE’D HEARD OF THIS JUDGE,
AS WE TRAVELED TOWN TO TOWN,
SOME SAYING, `LOOK OUT FOR JUDGE PEACH,
HE’LL LET THE HAMMER DOWN!’
WELL, HERE WE STOOD BEFORE THAT BENCH,
CLOTHES TATTERED AND TORN,
JUDGE PEACH LOOKING DOWN,
WITH CONTEMPT AND WITH SCORN.
LOOKING DOWN OVER HIS SPECTACLES,
WHILE GENTLY TAPPING HIS THUMBS,
`YOU’D BETTER PLEAD GUILTY,
YOU RAGGED OLD BUMS,
YOU SMELL LIKE A PIG PEN,
ALL COVERED WITH SCUM!’
THERE WE STOOD ALL DEJECTED AND FORLORNED
SOMEWHAT DISENCHANTED,
OVER THE DAY WE WERE BORN,
WITH JUST THE SHRUG OF OUR SHOULDERS,
BROUGHT ON EVEN MORE SCORN.
`SIX WEEKS ON THE CHAIN GANG!’
AS HE BROUGHT THE GAVEL DOWN,
`WE’LL TEACH A LESSON ON VAGRANCY,
FOR EVER LANDING IN OUR TOWN!’
SO OFF TO THE CHAIN GANG,
WE SERVED OUT OUR TIME,
THE LABORS SO HEAVY,
YOU’D HEAR THE BIG BOYS WHINE.
AFTER SEEMINGLY YEARS AT HARD LABOR,
THE SIX WEEKS WE’LL TRY HARD TO FORGET,
OLD WILL AND I HAVE BEEN WHERE THE GOING,
HAS BECOME SO HARD TO GO GET.
THEY GAVE US OUR KNAPSACKS,
ESCORTED US FROM THEIR TOWN, SAYING,
`KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD BED,
AS YOU LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD.
FOR IF YOU RETURN TO THIS AREA,
AND REMEMBER WHAT IS SAID,
YOU’LL GET A SECOND SENTENCE,
TO WHERE YOU’LL WISH YOU WERE DEAD!’
WELL, DOWN THE TRACKS AND OUT OF TOWN,
OLD WILL AND I STRODE,
FOR MILES AND MILES,
DOWN THAT OLD GRIMY ROAD.
TO A LONG GRADE WE SETTLED,
TO AGAIN CATCH A TRAIN,
IN FEAR OF BEING SPOTTED,
AND RETURNED TO THE GANG.
SO DOWN IN TAMPA,
AN OLD FAMILIAR TOWN,
WE SETTLED HERE EACH WINTER,
AS WE MADE OUR SOUTHERN ROUNDS.
WILL AND I CUT SOME GRASS,
AND WORKED AT ODD JOBS FOR A SPELL,
TO ACCUMULATE SOME CASH,
FOR SOME CLOTHES DID IMPEL.
WE WOULD WINTER IN THE COVES,
OH, THE CLIMATE SO NICE!
WITH ACCOMPANYING GALES GENTLY BLOWING,
MADE THE CAMPING SUCH DELIGHT!
WELL, IN THE SPRING,
THOSE WILD GEESE FROM THE RESERVES
COMING UP ON THE RISE,
TAKING FLYWAYS HEADING NORTH,
LITERALLY FILLING THE SKIES.
AS WE WATCHED THOSE FLOCKS GATHER,
FAR ABOVE OVER HEAD,
WE BEGAN TO GATHER OUR BELONGINGS,
FOR FINE WEATHER IS BURSTING
SOME MILES UP AHEAD.
IN OUR MINDS WE BEGAN THINKING,
OF THE OLD RAILROAD TRACKS,
AND THAT LITTLE OLD SHANTY,
LIKE A MILLIONAIRES MANSION,
KEEPS CALLING US BACK.
WHILE TRAVELING NORTH,
THROUGH A CITY, I CAN’T RECALL WHERE,
A LARGE CROWD HAD GATHERED,
FOR SOME REASON TO REVERE,
A HOMECOMING OF NAVY MEN,
THEIR UNIFORMS MADE CLEAR.
SOMETHING TINGLED DEEP WITHIN ME,
IN THAT WHOLE CONCORD,
AS THE BAND PICKED UP THEIR INSTRUMENTS,
AND STRUCK UP THAT CORD.
YES, SOMETHING WITHIN ME,
AT THAT MOMENT BEGAN TO SAY,
I’M GOING TO JOIN THE NAVY
AS THEY PLAYED `ANCHORS AWAY!’
ME BEGAN THINKING,
THOUGH NOT SPEAKING ALOUD,
ME THINKS, EBE, JOIN THE NAVY,
FOR THOSE MEN WERE NEVER SO PROUD.
FOR I’D LOVE TO SAIL THE HIGH SEAS,
TO SEE ALL THINGS BEYOND,
SO MANY, MANY SPEAK OF,
THE THINGS BEYOND THE POND.
OUR HEARTS WERE SIMPLY RACING,
AS WE REACHED OUR HOME TOWN,
CATCHING HOLD OF THAT BAR,
WE LET OUR FEET SLOWLY DOWN.
WE STRODE DOWN THE TRACK
AND AS OUR STEPS QUICKENED THE PACE,
WE WERE NEVER SO ASTOUNDED,
AT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PLACE,
THE LITTLE OLD SHANTY,
NOW LOOKING QUITE QUAINT,
AS DAD SHORED UP THE CORNERS,
AND HAD COVERED THOSE PLANKS.
WHAT A JOY, WHAT A JOY,
IT WAS TO BE COMING BACK,
TO THAT LOVELY LITTLE MANSION,
SITTING OUT NEAR THE TRACKS.
WILL SAYS TO ME,
`EBE, IT’S GOOD TO SEE THE TOWN.
EBE, I’VE STOPPED ME WANDERING,
I’M GOING TO SETTLE DOWN.’
AND HERE IS WHAT EBE IS THINKING,
AS WE ENTERED THE GATE,
`YOUR LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING,
AND IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.’
OLD EBE HAS CHANGED HIS THINKING,
PUTTING BOTH HANDS TO THE PLOW,
NOT AT MISTAKES MADE BEHIND HIM
BUT TO THE GIFTS HE’S SO ENDOWED.
YES, TO THE THINGS IN THE FUTURE,
AND WITH THOSE GOOD THINGS DO HIS BEST,
HE MEDITATES DEEPLY,
HOW THAT FUTURE WILL CREST.
AS WE PASSED THROUGH THE GATE,
AND WALKED HURRIEDLY ACROSS THE YARD,
WE HAD NOT MENTIONED OUR RETURNING,
WHEN WE SENT THE LAST CARD.
BUT MOM & DAD HAD ANTICIPATED
OUR ARRIVAL,
AS SPRING BURST BRIGHT AND CLEAR,
AND TO THEM IT SEEMED A GOOD TIME,
YES, AN APPROPRIATE TIME OF THE YEAR.
MOM SAID SHE’D GLANCED THROUGH THE WINDOWS,
A HUNDRED TIMES EACH DAY,
WOULD THIS DAY IN MAY,
BRING MY SONS HOME TO STAY?
SURE ENOUGH, THERE MOM WAS,
PEEKING OUT THROUGH THE SHADES,
OUT THROUGH THOSE BEAUTIFUL CURTAINS,
WITH HER HANDS SHE HAD MADE.
WELL, DROPPING ALL THINGS TO THE FLOOR,
SHE CALLED OUT TO ME POPS,
`COME QUICKLY MY DEAR,
AROUND TO THE DOOR!’
WELL, TO SUCH A REUNION,
YOU’VE NEVER IN YOUR LIFE SEEN THE LIKES.
KISSES WITH TEARS,
AND HUGS OF DELIGHT!
YES, AS THOSE YEARS HAD CONTINUED PASSING,
I WAS STILL A YOUNG LAD,
YET, AS A YOUNGSTER IN YEARS
I COULDN’T HELP BUT BEHOLD,
THE LINES IN THEIR FOREHEADS DEEPENING,
AS AGE TOOK IT’S TOLL.
YES, TWAS REALLY QUITE SAD,
TO WATCH FATHER TIME MOLD,
FOR SILVER THREADS BEGAN TO MINGLE,
AMONG CROWNS OF BLACK GOLD.
AFTER OUR GRAND REUNION,
AND A FEW DAYS HAD PASSED,
WE SETTLED BACK TO NORMAL,
YES, TO NORMAL AT LAST.
FOR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES CAME TO VISIT,
CAME ONE AND CAME ALL,
AND THINGS MOVED QUITE QUICKLY,
SWAPPING FOND MEMORIES
THEY ALL DID RECALL.
WILL AND I SKIPPED OUT FOR A STROLL,
DOWN THE STREET BEYOND THE MARKET,
TO OUR FAVORITE HIDING PLACE,
TO THE OLD SANDY BAR, DOWN THE STREAM,
WHERE AS KIDS WE WOULD DASH IN A RACE.
WE SAT DOWN ON THE SAND,
AND REMOVING OUR SHOES,
FOR QUITE A FEW MOMENTS,
WE THEN CHOSE TO LOSE.
TWAS QUITE A DELIGHT TO SET HERE TONIGHT
NEATH THE BEAMS OF THAT
GLOWING MOON LIGHT.
FIRST TO YOU MY DEAR FRIEND,
I WANT SO MUCH TO DISCLOSE,
THE NEWS IN WHICH IS SO MUCH DELIGHT.’
`I HAVE A DREAM, WILL,
A MOST BEAUTIFUL DREAM’ AND I,
AS I SAT TAPPING BARE FEET IN THE STREAM.
THAT WHEREVER ONE GOES NOT
ALL COMES TO KNOW,
THIS DREAM AS I FEEL IT I MUST FOLLOW.’
EBEN, MAY THE NEWS YOU’LL DISCLOSE
AND THE DREAM YOU DESCRIBE,
NEVER BREAK US APART,
FOR ALMOST FROM BIRTH, OUR HEARTS,
BOTH YOUR HEART AND MINE,
LIKE LOCKS TO A DOOR DID ENTWINE.’
`SO, LET NOT HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH,
NOR WIDTH, NOR BREADTH,
UNDERMINE A FRIENDSHIP SO SUBLIME.’
ME SAYS, `WILL, I’M JOINING THE NAVY,
TO SEE LANDS FAR AWAY.
ACROSS THE SEAS AND ALONG THE SHORES
FOR A HITCH I MAY STAY.’
WELL, THAT TENDER HEARTED BIG FELLOW
STARTED WEEPING SO PROFOUND,
I FELT LIKE A BEGGAR,
JUST ARRIVING IN TOWN.
THEN I BECAME SADDENED,
NOT REALLY MEANING NO HARM.
FOR WE DID THINGS TOGETHER,
FROM THE DAY HE WAS BORN.
WELL, I BEAR HUGGED THAT BIG FELLOW,
AS TEARS FLOWED GENTLY DOWN,
AND ASSURED HIM I’D WRITE OFTEN,
AS THE MONTHS ROLLED AROUND.
STEEL WILL WENT BACK TO MINING,
I’M SORRY TO SAY,
AND IN SONG YOU’LL RECALL WHAT HAPPENED,
IN THE MINE SHAFT THAT FATAL DAY.
YES, HE’D WENT BACK TO MINING,
FOR THEY’D OPENED THE SHAFT,
AND MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OUR TOWN,
MADE MINING THEIR CRAFT.
SOMETHING DRASTIC BEGAN HAPPENING,
IN ONE OF THE TUNNELS FAR BELOW,
THE ROCKS WERE BELCHING DUST,
AND THE LARGE TIMBERS BEGAN TO GO.
STEEL WILL STEPPED BENEATH ONE,
LIKE A GIANT OAK TREE,
THERE ALONE HE STOOD,
LATER THAT EVENING,
MOST HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH A SHOUT,
SAYING, `WE HONOR THE MCGRAYLANDS,
FOR PRODUCING SUCH A SPROUT!’
TEARS FLOWED AS GREAT RAIN DROPS,
AS GRATITUDE THE TOWN SHOWED,
FOR THAT TREE THAT HELD THE TIMBER,
IN THE MINE DOWN BELOW.
AS MINGLED VOICES REACHED A CRESCENDO,
YOU COULD CLEARLY HEAR SO PLAIN,
`THE MCGRAYLANDS, THE MCGRAYLANDS,
OH, WHAT A NAME!’
WE’LL SEE TO IT IN FUTURE GENERATIONS,
THAT NAME WILL RESOUND,
WHAT AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE,
TO HEAR THAT NAME IN OUR TOWN!’
STEEL WILL STOOD IN THAT MINE SHAFT,
LIKE A GRAND OAK TREE,
BENEATH THAT BEAM GAVE HIS LIFE,
AS OUR CHILDREN SCRAMBLED FREE!’
MOM SANG OF THE CHURCH IN THE WILD-WOODS,
AND THEN YOU WOULD HEAR HER SAY;
HOW DEAR IT WAS TO HER CHILDHOOD,
AND HER INVITE FOR OTHERS TO STAY.
WELL, IT SITS THERE SHORED UP,
LIKE A TINY DOLL HOUSE,
BRIGHT AND CLEAN,
NOW RESCUED FROM FATHER
TIMES SOON DECAY,
TOURISTS STREAM THROUGH HER
TINY DOORWAYS,
AND FROM THERE MOVE SLOWLY AWAY.
AS YOUNG ONES APPEARED THROUGH
THE YEARS,
THE DELL CHURCH BECAME QUITE
SOON TOO SMALL.
SO THE CHURCH FATHERS AGREED
THEY’D FENCE OFF THE PLOT.
AND ERECT ONE THAT WOULD
ENCOMPASS THEM ALL.
WELL, THE FIRST MOVE THEY MADE
WAS TO ERECT A HUGE TOWER,
IN MEMORY OF THOSE GONE TO REST,
ALL GAVE AS THEY COULD,
FOOT, SHOULDER, OR HEAD,
GOLD, SILVER OR BREAD,
YES, GAVE THE EDIFICE THEIR BEST.
TO ALL THERE THAT DAY,
AND TO THIS ALL WILL ATTEST,
YOU NEVER IN YOUR LIFE
SEEN SUCH A THRONG!
THOUSANDS CAME FAR AND WIDE,
BY EVERY MEANS THEY DID RIDE.
ANKLE EXPRESS, HORSE BACK,
BUGGIES AND CARS,
TWAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENCOMPASS THE TIDE.
YES, THE THRONG IN DEEP RESPECT
QUIETLY SAT THERE,
AND IN HONOR THEY LAY STEEL WILL TO REST.
FAINT TEARS DOWN THE CHEEKS KEPT FLOWING,
IN QUITE ASSEMBLY AT
WILL’S FAREWELL ADDRESS.
YES, IT TWAS MOST OF ALL SO IMPRESSIVE,
IN A MEMORIAL AT THE FAMILIES REQUEST,
FOR THE COMMUNITY HAD LOVED HIM DEARLY,
YES, THE COMMUNITY HAD GAVE HIM THEIR BEST.
THE DISCOURSE IS SOON TO BE ENDING,
WITH BOWED HEADS THEY
MOURNED THEIR GREAT LOSS.
AS THE CROWD SLOWLY DISASSEMBLED.
THE MURMUR SOON ROSE TO A TROMBA,
AS THE MOURNERS RECOUNTED THE COST.
AS WE MOVED ACROSS THE
GROUNDS OF THE ASSEMBLY,
MANY GOT IN THEIR CARS WITH GREAT PRIDE,
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THOSE
CARS WERE MAGNIFICENT,
DISPLAYING THE WEALTH OF
THE OWNERS INSIDE.
YES, THERE SAT ALL THOSE LOVELY
BEAUTIES, SHINING BRIGHTLY,
ALL MAKES WERE ADORED,
WITH NAMES QUITE DIFFICULT TO
PRONOUNCE THEN,
SHUFFLED THE PHONICS FOR
SOUND SOMEWHAT MARRED.
THE LASSALLE AND THE ESSEX,
THE HUPMOBILE, AND THE CORD,
THE TARRAPLANE AND THE FRANKLIN,
THE CHEVY AND THE FORD.
YOU MAY WONDER WHY I SIT HERE,
SO DEJECTED TONIGHT,
STEEL WILL, ME KID BROTHER,
GAVE LIFE IN HIS LAST FIGHT.
I BOW ME HEAD GRACIOUSLY,
IN DEEP HONOR AND RESPECT,
TO THE MAN I SO MUCH LOVED,
THAT LIFE AS A YOUNG MAN
DID SEEMINGLY REJECT.
WELL, THEY CLOSED THAT MINE SHAFT,
WHERE STEEL WILL WENT TO SLEEP,
FOR THE SHAFT WHERE WILL IS RESTING,
WAS SO TREMENDOUSLY DEEP.
THE COUNTY SEAT ERECTED A
HUGE MONUMENT,
RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT,
AS THEY SEALED OFF THE AREA,
AND FENCED OFF THE PLOT.
ON A PLAQUE ON THE MONUMENT,
THERE ETCHED IN PURE GOLD,
WERE THESE WORDS SO IMPRESSIVE,
STANDING OUT CLEAR AND BOLD.
FOR ALL TO READ AND REVERE,
FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY LOVES YOU,
WE LOVE YOU SO DEAR,
(BIG - STEEL WILL)
THEN ETCHED IN SILVER BELOW THEM,
FROM LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS,
THESE WORDS OF PROFOUND
WEIGHT APPEAR.
`TRAILING YOU, STEEL WILL,
ON THE PILLOWS OF OUR SLEEP,
AS STAR LIGHT, THROUGH WINDOWS,
DO QUIETLY PEEP.
OUR PRECIOUS MEMORIES,
OH, HOW SWEET,
AND TEARS FLOW GENTLY,
SUDDENLY WAKING FROM SLEEP.
WE ARE GOING DOWN THE VALLEY,
ONE BY ONE,
WITH OUR FACES,
TOWARD THE SITTING OF THE SUN.
WE ARE GOING DOWN THE VALLEY,
GOING DOWN THE VALLEY,
WE ARE GOING DOWN THE VALLEY,
ONE BY ONE.’
AFTER THE DEATH OF ME KID BROTHER,
FOR THE IMPACT DID RESOUND.
ME RETURNED TO THE SHANTY,
TO ATTEMPT TO SETTLE DOWN.
BUT AGAINST MOM AND DAD’S WISHES,
I DECIDED TO CARRY OUT THAT DREAM.
THOSE FAR DISTANT BORDERS,
BECAME GOOD IT WOULD SEEM.
HITLER WAS STEAM
ROLLING THROUGH EUROPE,
AND THE BIG GUNS BEGAN TO ROAR,
COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY FOLDED,
AS HE TURNED THE STEAM UP
MORE AND MORE.
I HURRIED TO ENLIST,
PASSING ME PHYSICAL FAIR AND CLEAR.
OUT OF BOOTS AND OVERSEAS,
IN FAR LESS THAN A YEAR.
I WAS WOUNDED IN PEARL HARBOR,
AT THE OUTSET OF THE WAR,
DID DAMAGE TO ME PHYSICALLY,
SHRAPNEL ME RIGHT SIDE DID MAR.
I WAS PULLING TOPSIDE DUTY,
SOMEWHAT FORWARD ON THE BOW,
WHEN OLD ARIZONA TOOK A HEAVY
JOLT AFT OF MID-SHIP,
BELCHING BLACK SMOKE TO THE PROW.
THERE IN THE HARBOR,
AMONGST BEDLAM AND DISMAY,
ME WAS PRIVILEGED TO ASSIST MANY,
AS OLD ARIZONA SLIPPED AWAY.
ME DOVE QUICKLY TO A HATCHWAY,
SECURED AND LOCKED FOR THE DAY,
BECAUSE THE FAR END OF THE PASSAGEWAY,
WAS MINGLED IN DISARRAY.
WHAT A JOY TO SEE THOSE FACES,
AS THAT HATCH WAS UNLOCKED.
OVER RAILS INTO LIFEBOATS,
THOSE GRATEFUL MEN DID FLOP.
YES, THOSE ESCAPING THAT HATCHWAY,
WITH BEAMING FACES AND GREAT DELIGHT,
BUT WHAT A HEART RENDERING THING TO SEE,
THE REST SUNK FROM SIGHT.
TO NAME A FEW,GEORGE HARRIS,
BUCK FISHER, JOE DESMUKE,
CHUB CORNEILSON, C. B. HICKS,
RED CASSEY, BIG SMITTEE,
LOU POTTER AND THE LIST COULD GO ON…
A PRESIDENTIAL CITATION,
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
AND PURPLE HEART,
FOR THESE I WAS GIVEN,
ALMOST FROM THE START.
SO BACK TO STATESIDE,
I WAS TRANSFERRED,
TO SHORE PATROL DUTY,
IN THE STATE I PREFERRED.
WELL, SOMEHOW ME SELECTED ATLANTA,
THAT MEMORABLE OLD TOWN,
IN ME MEMORY RINGS A SENTENCE,
AS THE JUDGE BROUGHT THE GAVEL DOWN.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN HONOR,
A FEW MONTHS CAN MAKE,
FOR IF NOW WE’D APPEAR BEFORE HIM
FOR SOME REASON OR SAKE,
HE MAY LOOK AT THINGS
SOMEWHAT DIFFERENTLY,
AND PERHAPS GIVE US A BREAK!
ONE DAY STROLLING THROUGH A SCHOOL YARD,
AND BY A WINDOW I PASSED NEAR,
I HEAR THE LOVELIEST VOICE,
ONLY IN DREAM WOULD ONE
EVER DREAM HE TO HEAR.
THE MELODIOUS WORDS OF A SONG,
LITERALLY FILLING THE AIR.
FLOATING GENTLY ACROSS THE SCHOOL YARD,
FALLING IMPRESSIVELY ON THE EAR.
EASILY REMEMBER IMPRESSIONS,
FOR THOSE THERE TO HEAR.
SHE SANG:
`EARLY ONE MORNING WHEN THE SUN WAS RISING,
I HEARD A BLUE BIRD IN THE FIELD SO GAILY SINGING.
GREEN GRASS IS GROWING, SOUTH WINDS ARE BLOWING,
WE HAVE COME TO TELL YOUOF A MERRY SPRING.’
I GLANCED SOMEWHAT AT THAT OPEN WINDOW.
FOR THE DIRECTION OF SONG DID APPEAR,
IN AMAZEMENT MY EYES FELL UPON HER,
WHAT A LOVELY LADY TO REVERE.
ME HEART SAID.`EBEN,
YOU’VE JUST GOT TO GET ACQUAINTED.’
SO WITHOUT HESITATION,
ME QUICKLY PREPARED TO DRAW NEAR.
IF I MAY BRAG JUST A LITTLE,
I WAS SOMEWHAT PUT TOGETHER
FOR A MAN OF SIX FOUR.
YOUNG LADIES AT TIMES MADE THE STATEMENT,
`WHAT A HUNK TO ADORE!’
WELL, I STOOD SLIGHTLY IN THE HALLWAY,
FULLY DRESSED AND NEATLY PRESSED.
TAPPING GENTLY ON THE DOORWAY,
FOR I MEANT TO IMPRESS.
SHE SAYS, `EXCUSE ME, MY CHILDREN,
I HAVE A VISITOR AT THE DOOR.
KEEP WORKING, AS YOU HAVE BEEN,
I’LL BE BACK TO ASSIGN MORE.’
SO GLIDING SWIFTLY AND MOST GRACEFULLY,
AS SHE MOVED ACROSS THE FLOOR,
OUR EYES MEET SQUARELY FOR THE FIRST TIME,
AS WE MET AT THE DOOR.
SLIPPING OUT INTO THE HALLWAY,
SMILING SWEETLY SHE DID ASK,
`MAY I HELP YOU WITH SOMETHING,
REQUIRING A QUICK TASK?’
ME HEART LEAPED WITH EXCITEMENT,
AT THOSE WORDS SWEETLY ASKED.
ME THINKS, EBE,
YOU’VE BEEN HELPED MUCH
MORE AT THIS MOMENT,
THAN ANY ONE TIME IN THE PAST.
WELL, ME STATE SOMEWHAT AWKWARDLY,
AS I MADE AN ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN,
THAT I WAS STROLLING PAST THE WINDOW,
AS ME HEAR SOMEONE SING.
AND COULDN’T HELP BUT TO OBSERVE YOU,
GLANCING THROUGH THE WINDOW PANE.
AND IT IMMEDIATELY APPEALED
TO ME TO GET ACQUAINTED,
YES, GET ACQUAINTED BY NAME.
`MARY’, SAID SHE,
AS SHE SO SWEETLY PROCLAIMED,
WITH THOSE BLUE EYES SPARKLING,
YOU COULD TELL BY HER ACTIONS,
SHE MUCH WANTED TO IMPRESS.
WHAT AN APPEALING FEMININE FIGURE,
AS CURLS TUMBLED DOWN ON
THAT LOVELY LITTLE DRESS.
ME SAYS, `ME NAME IS EBEN MCGRAYLAND,
ON DUTY SPENDING SOME TIME AROUND.’
SHE ASKED QUITE QUICKLY,
`DO YOU KNOW STEEL WILL MCGRAYLAND?
FOR THAT NAME IS RENOWN,
HIS NAME HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED,
FAR AND WIDE IN THE TOWN.’
ME SAYS, `THAT WAS ME KID BROTHER.’
`OH!’, SHE SO SWEETLY EXCLAIMED,
AND THOSE BLUE EYES SPARKLED BRIGHTLY,
AS SHE PONDERED THE NAME.
ME GLANCED AT HER FINGER,
IT WAS CLEAR, TO MY DELIGHT,
SO OLD EBE STATED BLUNTLY,
`MAY I SEE YOU TONIGHT?’
HER ANSWER WAS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THINGS STARTED HAPPENING ARIGHT,
SAYING, `I’LL BE HONORED TO SEE YOU,
AT SEVEN AT MY HOUSE TONIGHT.’
MY WOUNDS HAD MENDED NICELY,
WALKING ONLY WITH A SLIGHT LIMP.
DOC, HAD DONE A FINE JOB,
REMOVING SHRAPNEL FROM ME
RIGHT LEG AND HIP.
THREE WEEKS OF CHARMING COURTSHIP,
THE DAYS QUICKLY SLIPPED BY.
I RECEIVED ORDERS ONE MORNING
TO RETURN TO THE SHIP,
AND OUR HEARTS SANK TOGETHER,
KNOWING WE’D BE PARTING
TO MAKE SUCH A TRIP.
ONLY THREE WEEKS,
THEN BACK TO THE PACIFIC,
ALONG THE WAR FRONT TO CRUISE,
LET’S SHARE ALL THE TIME WE MAY,
WE HAVE NO TIME TO LOSE.
SO MY DEAR I MUST GO,
AND YOU DEAR, MUST STAY.
THAT DISTANT BUGLE SOUND MAY,
DRASTICALLY CHANGE OUR WEDDING DAY.
SHE SAID, `EBEN, MY FIRST LOVE,
WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL,
I’LL WAIT FOR YOU FOREVER,
MY LOVE SHALL GO WITH YOU,
WHEREVER YOU SAIL.
I MUCH PREFER TO BECOME UNITED,
IN THAT LITTLE CHURCH IN THE DELL,
WHERE YOUR MOM AND DAD WERE MARRIED,
AND THEIR VOWS BECAME AS THOUGH WELD,’
FOR THERE THEY WERE UNITED,
BENEATH THE OAK, NEAR THE MILL,
BENEATH THAT OLD CHURCH BELL.
MARY AND I SOON MADE ARRANGEMENTS,
TO FLY BACK TO THE PLACE OF MY BIRTH.
AND WERE GIVEN AN HONORABLE RECEPTION,
AS THAT GIANT BIRD THROTTLED
DOWN HER ENGINES,
SETTLING SLOWLY BACK TO EARTH.
AS THE PLANE TAXIED DOWN THE RUNWAY,
WE COULD PLAINLY BEHOLD THE THRONG,
MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION
WE BOTH SHALL CHERISH,
AND A WARM FEELING WE BELONG.
WELL, AFTER A DAY OF CELEBRATION,
THE BUSTLE QUIETED DOWN,
PREPARATION FOR A QUITE WEDDING,
CLOSE FRIENDS OF OURS AND RELATIVES,
LOVINGLY GATHERED IN OUR TOWN.
BUT SOME LITTLE BIRD TOLD THE STORY,
WHILE ON THE WING,
OR SAT ON THAT NEW TOWER,
AND DID MELODIOUSLY SING.
ONCE AGAIN THEY FILLED THE DELL,
SO WE HELD IT OUT ON THE LAWN,
UNDER THAT OAK, `NEATH THE BELL',
ME BEING THE OLDER BROTHER
OF THE BELOVED STEEL WILL.
MOM AND MARY TOOK TO EACH OTHER,
LIKE A SWAN TO A POND,
MOM HAD INHERITED A LOVELY DAUGHTER,
AND WITH JOY SHE REMAINED,
DRAWN BY TRUE LOVE TO EACH OTHER,
LIKE A MOTH TO A FLAME.
I SOON GOT ME ORDERS,
AND TO THE WEST COAST DID FLY,
BUT THE BIG BOMBS PUT AN
END TO THE STRUGGLE,
THINGS SETTLED BACK AND THE
WAR SLOWLY DIED.
I WAS VERY SOON DISCHARGED,
RUSHING BACK TO MY LOVED ONES
AND THE PLACE I CALL HOME.
PUTTING COMPLETELY BEHIND ME,
MY STRONG DESIRE TO ROAM.
AS I APPROACHED THAT TINY SHANTY,
FROM THE PRESSURES OF
WAR TO COME UNWOUND.
DEAR OLD MOM WAS SITTING THERE
SINGING LULLABIES WITH MARY,
WHAT A PRECIOUS MEMORY SOUND!
I MADE A FRANK STATEMENT,
SOME YEARS IN THE PAST,
THIS TITLE OF ME WOULD CHANGE,
AND HOW MY FUTURE WOULD CREST.
WELL, I’VE GROWN A LITTLE OLDER,
AND ME FUTURE I SHALL TEST.
WITH BOTH HAND ON THE PLOW,
I’M GOING TO GIVE IT MY BEST.
SOMEONE, SAYS TO ME, `EBEN,
OPEN A STORE IN THIS TOWN,
FOR WITH THE NAME OF MCGRAYLAND,
NO MAN IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD
ATTEMPT TO HOLD THAT MAN DOWN.’
WELL, MARY AND I RENTED A BUILDING,
THAT HAD SAT EMPTY ON A LARGE
PLOT OF GROUND.
YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT THERE
WAS ENOUGH PARKING
FOR ALL CARS IN THE COUNTY,
AND ALL SMALL TOWNS MILES AROUND.
ON A PLAQUE ON THE BUILDING,
STANDING OUT BRIGHT AND BOLD IS A SIGN,
`THE MCGRAYLAND TEXTILES,
THE HOUSE OF FINE CLOTHES.’
AS WE TURNED UP THE STEAM,
AND LET THE HAMMER FALL,
CUSTOMERS CAME IN DROVES,
COME ONE AND COME ALL.
IN THAT QUAINT LITTLE VILLAGE,
THAT NAME DID MAKE AN IMPRESSION.
AS THE MIGHTY WAR GROUND TO A HALT,
AND WE MOVED SLOWLY THROUGH
THE HARD THIRTIES DEPRESSION.
WITHIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS,
WE HAD A GRAND OPENING AT ANOTHER SITE.
AS WE ROLLED UP OUR SLEEVES,
PUTTING OUR SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL,
MAKING HARD WORK OUR DELIGHT.
WE HIRED ALL THOSE MINERS,
THAT HAD MADE MINING THEIR CRAFT,
THAT SCRAMBLED TO SAFETY,
FROM THAT EXPLODING MINE SHAFT.
WELL, YOU NEVER SEEN SUCH WORKERS,
FOR GREAT LOVE THEY DID SHOW,
FOR STEEL WILL HELD THAT TIMBER,
IN THE MINE SHAFT BELOW.
WHEN LITTLE WILL WAS BORN,
THE WHOLE NATION SEEMED TO FALL,
MY DEAR MARY WAS DEARLY LOVED
BY YOUNG AND OLD,
FOR THEY CAME IN DROVES,
TO SEE LITTLE WILL IN MARY'S
BOSOM CUDDLED THERE TO BEHOLD.
FIFTEEN YEARS HAS NOW PASSED,
LITTLE WILL HAS GROWN TO BIG WILL,
AS A GREAT HELP IN THE CHAIN,
AS STORES BEGAN TO OPEN FROM
LOS ANGELES TO NEW YORK, FROM FLORIDA TO MAINE.
AS THE CHAIN CONTINUES GROWING,
FOR BUSINESS REASONS SOME WERE ASSIGNED TO FLY,
MAINTAINING A TIGHT GRIP ON MATTERS,
SOME WERE DESTINED TO DIE.
ALL THINGS WERE MOVING SMOOTHLY,
BUT ONE THING I'VE GOT TO TELL,
AS HEAD OF A LARGE CORPORATION,
DIFFICULT THINGS CONFRONT YOU,
THAT SADDENS HEARTS FOR A SPELL.
I'D MADE ARRANGEMENTS IN LATE NOVEMBER,
TO FLY A YOUNG MAN AND HIS WIFE,
HIGH ABOVE THE ALLEGANIES,
ENGINE PROBLEMS DEVELOPED,
COSTING THEY AND MANY OTHERS THEIR LIFE.
BIG TOM AND NOLENA COUNT,
WERE AMONG THE CHAIN'S MOST PROMINENT COUPLE.
FLIGHT TRIPS WERE NOT UNCOMMON,
AS EXECUTIVES WERE MOVED ABOUT,
IN THE CHAINS GROWTH AND SHUFFLE.
LITTLE TOMMY AND DELENA,
REMAINED AT HOME DURING THAT MEMORABLE FLIGHT.
WHAT A HEART RENDING THING TO SEE,
AS THE COUPLE TO THEIR HOME WERE TRANSFERRED,
THAT WARM AUTUMN NIGHT.
HEARTS SEEMED TO BURST WIDE OPEN,
AS THE COMMUNITY GATHERED NEAR,
THOSE WORDS PENETRATED EVER SO DEEPLY,
AS THEY VIBRATED MIND, HEART AND THE EAR.
THEY RAISED THEIR VOICES IN UNISON,
AND SANG FOR ALL PASSING TO HEAR,
THEY SANG STEEL WILLS MEMORABLE PLAQUE SONG,
LIKE THUNDER FROM THAT MIGHTY THRONG DID APPEAR.
IT WAS LATE IN THE AUTUMN,
INDIAN SUMMER WAS RECLINING.
EVENING SHADOWS WERE LENGTHENING,
AS THE SUN WAS DECLINING.
FURNACE FIRES WERE NOW CRACKLING,
AND THE AIR IS FULL OF SNOW,
TEMPERATURES DIPPING QUITE QUICKLY,
TO TWENTY-TWO BELOW.
NORTHERN WINDS WERE SWEEPING SOUTHWARD,
A BITTER CHILL IS IN THE AIR.
LEAVING HOME SEEMED NEAR IMPOSSIBLE,
ONLY THE BRAVE WOULD EVER DARE.
HIGH WINDS ARE HOWLING WILDLY,
AS HEAVY DARKNESS SETTLES IN,
FORECASTS WERE FOR A BLIZZARD,
AND NO ONE KNOWS ITS DREADFUL END.
THE DISCOURSE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN,
THE FUNERAL HOME IS PACKED,
HUNDREDS NOT ABLE TO ENTER,
WERE STANDING OUT NEAR THE BACK.
ALL ATTENTION IS ON THE SPEAKER,'
AS HE SLOWLY TOOK THE STAND.
LIFTING THE BIBLE UP BEFORE HIM,
HOLDING IT FIRMLY IN HIS HAND.
SPEAKING SLOWLY HE SPOKE IMPRESSIVELY,
IN A CALM AND EVEN TONE.
AND HE THUMBED THE PAGES GENTLY,
AS HE SENT THE MESSAGE HOME.
ALL ARE MOURNING THE LOSS OF THE YOUNG COUPLE,
AS EVENING SHADOWS DEPLETE,
NO ONE IS AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING,
SOME FEW BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET.
EVENING SHADOWS HAVE NOW DEPLETED,
HEAVY DARKNESS HAS SETTLED IN,
SUDDENLY TWO LITTLE ORPHANS ARE FOUND MISSING,
TO THE SHOCK AND FEAR OF THEM ALL,
AS RELATIVES SEARCHED FRANTICALLY,
ALL ROOMS AND THE HALL.
THE SERMON IS SOON OVER,
ALL ARISE TO DISSIPATE.
WRITTEN IN THAT WIND AND SNOW,
IS THE DESTINY OF THEIR FATE.
EARLIER THAT WARM EVENING,
UNDETECTED BY THEM ALL,
DELENA AND TOMMY STRODE DOWN THE STREET,
NEAR THE PARKS WATERFALL.
NO ONE CAN CENTER THE REASON,
AS THEY STRODE DOWN THAT STREET.
BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON,
TOMMY REMOVED HIS SHOES,
EXPOSING HIS TINY LITTLE FEET.
NEAR THESE FALLS, THERE SETTING QUAINTLY,
WAS AN OLD BUT STURDY CHURCH,
SITTING DOWN THERE, THEY HUDDLED CLOSELY,
AS BIRDS SANG SWEETLY IN THE TOWER,
WHILE OTHERS WOULD SIT AND CHIRP.
AN UNACQUAINTED PASSERBY, PAUSED BRIEFLY,
AND LITTLE DID HE KNOW,
WHAT ETERNALLY WOULD BE WRITTEN,
IN THE COMING WIND AND SNOW.
TWO LITTLE ORPHANS, A BOY AND A GIRL,
SAT DOWN IN THE OLD CHURCH DOOR,
THE BOYS LITTLE FEET WERE AS BROWN AS THE CURLS,
HANGING DOWN ON THE GIRLS LITTLE DRESS.
"WHY DON'T YOU RUN HOME TO YOUR MAMA?",
I SAID, AND THIS WAS THE MAIDENS REPLY.
"OUR MAMA IS DEAD, UP IN HEAVEN, YOU KNOW,
AND OUR PAPA HAS GONE JUST BEFORE.'
THE CHURCHMAN CAME EARLY TO RING THE CHURCH BELL,
AND FOUND THEM ALL COVERED SNOW WHITE,
THE ANGELS MADE ROOM FOR TWO LITTLE ONES TO DWELL,
IN HEAVEN WITH THEIR PARENTS THAT NIGHT.
THEY BURIED THEM TOGETHER IN THE NEW CHURCH YARD,
'NEATH THAT HUGE NEW TOWER.
ON EACH OF THE FOUR GRAVES THEY PLACED A ROSE.
CAUSING ALL PASSING BY TO ADMIRE.
TO THE AMAZEMENT OF THEM ALL,
THEY RAPIDLY GREW,
AND THERE THEY WOULD GROW NO HIGHER.
AND THERE THEY TIED IN A TRUE LOVE KNOT,
'NEATH THE DOME OF THAT MAGNIFICENT SPIRE.
LITTLE WILL IS NOW CALLED BIG WILL,
AT THE NEW MCGRAYLAND HIGH,
IN HONOR HE DID PASS.
HE WORKED HARD AT ACADEMICS,
A BRILLIANT YOUNG MAN,
CARRYING A 4.0 AVERAGE,
AND GRADUATED WITH HIGH HONORS,
AS BOTH VALEDICTORIAN
AND PRESIDENT OF HIS CLASS.
BUT WILL HAS NOT ONLY AN OUTSTANDING,
BRILLIANT MIND,
HE EXCELS IN MANY SPORTS,
HE EXCELS IN MANY SPORTS,
AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE.
MANY COLLEGES, ARE NOW TAPPING QUITE
VIGOROUSLY AT HIS DOOR,
BUT HIS MIND IS QUITE SET AS A RHODES SCHOLAR,
OXFORD, YALE AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
AND MANY, MANY MORE.
HE'LL COME TO BE AS HE TURNED TO ACADEMICS,
WHAT HIS FUTURE HOLDS WE SHALL SEE,
IT SOUNDS SOMEWHAT BRAGGADOCIOS,
AS WE ENDEAVOR TO EXPLAIN,
BUT YOU MAY FEEL AS WE DO,
IF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WERE THE SAME,
AS OUR SON CARRIES PROUDLY FORWARD
OUR WHOLE FAMILY NAME.
I HAVE MY PICKUP,
MARY HAS HER LITTLE CAR.
WE COULD NOW BUY THIS TOWN AND ALL TOWNS,
WITH MANY, MANY ACRES FOR MILES AROUND.
BUT WE LIVE VERY MODEST,
IN OUR HOME NEAR THE STORE.
WITH MOM AND DAD LIVING BESIDE US,
IN A LOVELY COTTAGE NEXT DOOR.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Copyright 1995 William V. Gray
"HOBO STEW"
ON THE EVENING AIR THERE'S AN INVITING AROMA,
AS YOU STROLL THE PATHWAY TO THE CAMP.
AN OPEN FIRE IS BURNING BRISKLY,
PROVIDING THE HOBO HIS ONLY LAMP.
LARGE STONES WERE PLACED IN ORDER,
PROVIDING A WIND BREAK TO THE FIRE.
AND A WALL PREVENTING A SPREAD THROUGH CAMP,
FOR THE FLAME WOULD FLARE MUCH HIGHER.
ABOVE THE FLAMES SITS AN OPEN POT,
NEAR THE FALL OF EVENING DEW.
IN THE POT IS A LEGENDARY DISH,
APPROPRIATELY NAMED; "HOBO STEW".
IT BECOMES QUITE DIFFICULT TO WRITE A RECIPE,
OR ATTACH ANOTHER NAME,
FOR IN THE POT INGREDIENTS WERE DEPOSITED,
AND NERE REMAIN THE SAME.
GENERALLY HAM, CHICKEN, OR BEEF,
WAS THE FLAVORING OF THE DAY.
GARDEN FRESH OR CANNED GOODS FROM THE
CELLAR WOULD AWARD YOUR EVENING STAY.
MOST HOBO'S BY NATURE,
WERE A WORKING, GENEROUS LOT
AND WOULD SHARE WITH ALL THOSE PRESENT,
WHAT WAS BREWING IN THE POT.
THE CAMPS BECAME MORE NUMEROUS,
AS THE YEARS SLIPPED QUICKLY BY.
FOR HARD TIMES BEFELL THE MANY,
AS THEY SLEPT OUT 'NEATH THE SKY.
BATTERED HATS BECAME THEIR PILLOWS,
AS THE NIGHT WOULD SETTLE IN,
PERHAPS A DREAM OF WOES WOULD HAUNT THEM,
AS THEY REMINISCED OF WHENCE THEY'D BEEN.
MOTHER EARTH BECAME THEIR MATTRESS,
THE PESKY MOSQUITO BECAME THEIR FRIEND,
AND YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR,
TO THE RAILS THERE SEEMED NO END.
HUNGER PANGS WERE CALLING LOUDLY,
AS THE LIGHT BURST FORTH FOR DAWN.
THEY'D APPROACH A HOUSE MOST CAUTIOUSLY,
FOR OLD ZEEK MAY STROLL THE LAWN.
AS THEY WORMED THEIR WAY THROUGH THE VILLAGE,
VERY METHODICALLY, THEY KNEW WHAT TO DO.
HAND OUTS WERE WHAT THEY WORKED FOR,
TO FILL THAT POT OF STEW.
ON THE EVENING AIR THERE'LL BE A DELIGHTFUL AROMA,
AT THE FALL OF EVENING DEW.
GARDEN FRESH OR CELLAR CANNED GOODS,
ANOTHER DAY HAS BEGUN ANEW.
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