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.

 

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

Teardrops upon the Strings

You can see him on Beale Street.

Worn out shoes on his feet.

Just an old blues bum like all the rest.

Most people ignore him but those that know him well

Will drop a few dollar bills into his guitar case.

Then he’ll sing a song and his guitar rings.

Puts real emotion into everything.

But he always ends with the same sad song.

He’ll sing, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

Teardrops upon the strings.

It happens every time he sings.

He loved her. He lost her.

Now there’s no meaning in anything

Except for, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

He can sing the blues. He can sing rock-n-roll.

He can sure lay down some good old soul.

He’s even been known to do a little western swing.

But no matter what you have him play

He always ends the same way.

He’ll sing, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

Teardrops upon the strings.

It happens every time he sings.

He loved her. He lost her.

Now there’s no meaning in any thing

Except for, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

He sings the last line in that song.

About a love that’s so long gone.

It’s his song written for her

The only woman he truly loves.

It would mean the world to him

If she would come see and hear

Him sing, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

Teardrops upon the strings.

It happens every time he sings.

He loved her. He lost her.

Now there’s no meaning in anything

Except for, “Teardrops upon the strings.”

So many teardrops upon the strings.

Look at his teardrops upon the strings.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

Opelousas Sandy

    

      I heard of Opelousas a long time ago
from a girl I met on the banks of the Buffalo.
She spoke of Opelousas and their church down there,
of Louisiana and their Cajun fare.
With all of her friends we walked through the park.
By a big bon fire we talked way past dark.

      I still recall Opelousas Sandy.
She stood, she stood so tall.
I loved to hold Opelousas Sandy
as we'd watch the river flow along.

      They talked of how they loved the river up here.
I loved it each time she let me hold her near.
I got to go along on their float trip.
Paddled her canoe. Showed her how a rock could skip.
Opelousas Sandy was a dream come true.
Anything she said I would Quickly do.

      I still recall Opelousas Sandy.
She stood, she stood so tall.
I loved to hold Opelousas Sandy
as we'd watch the river flow along.

      Sandy made me wait seven long days
for that first kiss. It put me in a daze.
The last day came on the river bank.
Her smile asks, "Are you ready?" I did'nt have to think.
She said, "I'll always remember this week.
Her voice I hear. Her kisses I seek.

      I still recall Opelousas Sandy.
She stood, she stood so tall.
I loved to hold Opelousas Sandy
as we'd watch the river flow along.

      Her memory stayed. But Sandy's gone.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

Hold Me Again

Hold me again. Like you did when we were friends.

Hold me again. Then maybe I can let you go.

Let you go out of my life, away into your world.

Hold me again, my friend.

Hold me again. The way you did when we first met.

Hold me again. Then I can say, “I don’t regret,

falling in love with you with all my heart and soul.”

Hold me again, dear friend.

Hold me again. As if it were for the last time.

Hold me again. Then we’ll go our separate ways.

Never to touch any more the rest of our Life’s.

Hold me again, Sweet friend.

Hold me again, so I can see, the sun once more,

Hold me again, before the clouds, come rolling in.

I’ll stand tall, Walk away, you will be free,

Hold me again, my dear sweet Friend.

Please --------, hold meet again, my dear, sweet friend.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

Helena

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Play the blues until daylight.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Play the blues until daylight.

Because when I’m home I have to be too quite.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

Goin’ down to Helena no matter who I have to fight.

Gonna’ sing about my woman.  Sing about her just for spite.

Gonna’ sing about my woman.  Sing about her just for spite.

Gonna sing about how she quit treatn' me right.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

Goin’ down to Helena no matter who I have to fight.

I once met a man. He was a terrible sight.

I once met a man. He was a terrible sight.

But he could play the blues. All the girls treat him right.

So we’re goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

We’re  goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

Goin’ down to Helena no matter who we have to fight.

When I head home, I’m gonna’ take some barbecue.

When I head home, I’m gonna’ take some barbecue.

Gonna’ eat and sing the blues, dream of Helena and you.

Because you are the people I love to sing to.

Oh yes!

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

I’m goin’ down to Helena. Goin’ down to Helena.

Goin’ down to Helena no matter who I have to fight.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

About Memphis

Don’t tell anyone about Memphis.

Don’t tell them that she made me cry.

Don’t let them know she left me lonely.

I don’t know why she said goodbye.

Memphis was such a stunning beauty,

With that long, silky hair.

I would have spent, a lifetime with her,

I guess she grew tired, of my love.

Don’t tell anyone about Memphis.

Don’t tell them that she made me cry.

Don’t let them know she left me lonely.

I don’t know why she said goodbye.

I fell in love, with her quickly.

She touched me deep, within my heart.

I will never forget her.

I shall always miss her smile.

Don’t tell anyone about Memphis.

Don’t tell them that she made me cry.

Don’t let them know she left me lonely.

I don’t know why she said goodbye.

If I ever find another,

Who can mend my broken heart.

I will forever, stand by her.

And give her my, undying love.

Don’t tell anyone about Memphis.

Don’t tell them that she made me cry.

Don’t let them know she left me lonely.

I don’t know why she said goodbye.

I don’t know why she said goodbye.

Don’t tell anyone about Mempnis.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

I'm A Lover

I’m a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

I am a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

Loved a woman. Woman left me.  Now I fight with old misery.

I’m a lover .I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

I am a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

Love to hurt, over you, so I fight to save your memory.

I’m a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

I am a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

Love to dream, about you, then I fight to write an old blues song.

I’m a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

I am a lover. I’m a fighter. I fight the blues every day.

Loved a woman. Woman left me. Now I fight with old misery.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.

When I Drive By

I used to go see Lavern and Max.

That’s where I always bought my snacks.

They had a fine little place.

Grew older, got a car,

Bought their gas, then I’d go far,

Out in the country to see their girl.

She was sweet as the flowers smell in the early morning air.

For my achin' heart she sure had the cure.

Long soft and shiny was the way she kept her hair.

I’ll always think of her when I drive by out there.

Worked six days on a dairy farm.

Awoke to a five o’clock alarm.

But I kinda liked my job.

Yet when I’d put all my hours in.

I was ready to see her again.

I’d go see Lavern and Max’s girl.

She was sweet as the flowers smell in the early morning air.

For my achin' heart she sure had the cure.

Long soft and shiny was the way she kept her hair.

I’ll always think of her when I drive by out there.

Suddenly they just moved away.

The shelves are empty to this day.

Where I once picked out my sweets.

I don’t know where they went or why.

But it still makes me start to cry,

When I think about my country girl.

She was sweet as the flowers smell in the early morning air.

For my achin' heart she sure had the cure.

Long soft and shiny was the way she kept her hair.

I’ll always think of her when I drive by out there.

© 2011 A.L. Shipman, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Watermark template. Powered by Blogger.