China Dolls in Memphis

      We were sitting down in Beebe, in old Quapaw Hall.

I had lived in room 105 since way back in the fall.

I had  been without a girlfriend for a month or two.

Henry knew I was restless, in need of something new.

We talked about martial arts.  Henry liked Bruce Lee.

When we talked about our favorite foods, he said, “Come home with me.”

Mom will fix you Chinese food for each and every meal.

Then we’ll take you to Memphis.  How is that for a deal?

Be my guest at our Chinese New Year party there

And at all the China dolls we will get to stare.

Come with me and you will see a most beautiful sight.

The China dolls in Memphis there on that night.

I believed his promises. That they would come true for me.

When Henry took me to see the China Dolls in Memphis Tennessee.

      That Friday night in Earl every dish of food was grand.

I wandered about what all Henry had planned.

Saturday morning we walked all over that little town.

Henry was anxious for the sun to go down.

He described all of Memphis and the Memphis lights.

Said he knew I would love the many Memphis sights.

The grand old tall buildings that towered over the streets,

Of the music found in Memphis and its many different beats.

From blues on Beale Street, to Soul recorded at Stax,

Rock-a-Billy at Sun, where Elvis sang in golden slacks.

The food would be delicious, some hot, some cool, some sweet,

And all of the girls there would be kind and easy to meet.

He painted a beautiful picture.  I dreamed of how it would be

When Henry took me to see the China Dolls of Memphis Tennessee.

      As the sun started to sit we loaded up in his family’s car.

From Earl over to Memphis it is not very far.

The lights of Memphis appeared as we crossed the river.

What Henry had promised he was about to deliver.

They took me on a tour through Memphis along the way.

I will always thank them for that wonder filled day.

We came to the building where the party was to be.

He said, “You’re going to be impressed with what you’re about to see.”

People were filling the room, there were many rows of tables.

I saw so many things there, I thought were only fables.

The moon was rising in the Memphis sky,

As all the China Dolls smiled and said, “Hi.”

Henry said, “You may fall in love.  I said, “That may come to be.

When Henry took me to see the China Dolls in Memphis Tennessee.

Yes, it was way back in nineteen seventy two.

 I fell in love with Memphis and the China Dolls too.

Earl and the party were both good for me

When Henry took me to see the China Dolls in Memphis Tennessee.

 

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