Susil

Profile

Username:
susil
Name:
Susil
Location:
Carthage, MS
Birthday:
01/05
Status:
Single
Job / Career:
Other

Stats

Post Reads:
126,813
Posts:
759
Photos:
4
Last Online:
> 30 days ago

My Friends

22 hours ago
> 30 days ago
> 30 days ago
> 30 days ago
> 30 days ago
> 30 days ago

Subscribe

News From Mississippi

Life & Events > The Crying Man
 

The Crying Man

I was writing out some bills in my little office and listening to old Ray Charles records when Dottie unexpectedly showed up. (I bought a record player just so I could listen to those scratchy old records.) Ray was singing Old Man River and Dottie who is no fan, said it's no wonder you feel depressed listening to that. I think Old Man River is from the musical Showboat.
The chorus sings first: "let me go way from the Mississippi; let me go way from the white man boss; show me that stream called the river Jordan; that's the stream that I want to cross."   Then Ray sings: "You and me, we got to sweat and strain; bodies all achin' wracked with pain; tote that barge, lift that bale, and if you drink a little scotch, you know you're gonna land in jail."
Then he sounds like he's crying when he sings "You know I get weary; and so sick of trying; I'm tired of living, but I'm scared of dying, but that Ole Man River-- he must know somethin' but the man don't say nothin' -- I know he just keeps rolling, rolling along."   
I turned Ray off rather than depress Dottie the optimist. You either feel Ray in your soul or you don't and that's okay.    susil

posted on Aug 22, 2008 1:13 PM ()

Comments:

You should be able to listen to whatever "moves" you and "speaks" to you, no matter what kind of emotion it may bring. Music that inspires someone to feel something... anything... is a powerful thing.
comment by shesaidwhat on Aug 26, 2008 4:58 AM ()
Hi Sue,
I have 45's, 33 and 78s. I keep a player that will play
all of them. I even have some old one sided records. They
are sort of redish pink in color. I haven't been into them
in a while.
comment by larryb on Aug 25, 2008 5:40 PM ()
I feel sorry for Dottie. Cannot appreciate Ray Charles? Oh, that man had soul!
comment by dragonflyby on Aug 23, 2008 8:41 AM ()
I've never heard Ray Charles but to me the songs sound really cool. I like all sorts of music, so much that I have no friends lol
comment by lynnie on Aug 22, 2008 5:41 PM ()
LOVE Ray Charles!!
comment by marta on Aug 22, 2008 2:52 PM ()
HUGS> I love the sound of records. I grew up listening to my mom's records & it just takes me home when I can hear that scratchy sound. Ray is amazing.
comment by panthurdreams on Aug 22, 2008 2:25 PM ()
How can anyone NOT love Ray Charles singing one of my all-time favorite spirituals?
comment by redimpala on Aug 22, 2008 2:14 PM ()
He can always move you with a song, he's fantastic
comment by elfie33 on Aug 22, 2008 1:45 PM ()
Some people are afraid of deep feeling and she could also just not hear the music. Some people are tone deaf. So you can play it when she's not around.
comment by tealstar on Aug 22, 2008 1:24 PM ()
Interestingly, one of my professors at the Bible Institute quoted that last stanza you wrote in one of our classes and I've been intrigued by it ever since. Nice post!
comment by jerms on Aug 22, 2008 1:24 PM ()
I think that all art forms have something to say about our culture and us as individuals. True art must touch us. Ray Charles does that.
comment by angiedw on Aug 22, 2008 1:22 PM ()
Ray Charles has always been a personal favorite. You want depression? Listen to his "Born to Lose." But his voice is great and a lot of his stuff really rocks!!
comment by looserobes on Aug 22, 2008 1:16 PM ()

Comment on this article   


759 articles found   [ Previous Article ]  [ Next Article ]  [ First ]  [ Last ]