Regretfully, I used to make fun of country songs, mostly ones from the 1950-60s with ‘raggely tales’ and nasaly twangy voices and bluegrassy sounds. Since I went out of my way to avoid listening, I wasn’t aware of new influences, like honky tonk, New Orleans and Mississippi Delta blues, and rockabilly, which were changing country music from solemn and sappy to sexy and sassy. Fortunately, a very wise and savvy Frenchmen pointed out the many improvements and improvisations made to the genre. He took me to task for ignoring and ridiculing this American made cultural tradition. He said that for a lady that loved storytelling, I was missing some of the best ones. He was right. So I began listening and enjoying the outlaw singers, like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon, and Hank Junior. I even chuckled at country songs that joked about having a red pickup truck, getting drunk and being propped against the jukebox, and wallowing in the mud of love.

By the 80s country music had gone mainstream and it was cool to be country. Nashville became a mecca and Hollywood stars wanted to wear rhinestone boots and release hit country songs. I learned how to 2 Step and even took a square dance class for a college credit. I took guitar lessons and bought a keyboard, but my musical ability and voice is so far from pitch perfect people have actually paid me to stop strumming or singing (OK, they bought me drinks to shut me up). Today, although I embrace most types of music, I must admit there’s a little bit of Hollywood in me that would love to see one of my poems turned into a country song. Who knows, Nashville is just a few hours away. Here are a few contenders…anyone got a guitar or a fiddle?

Who Elected You? (a boot stomping tune)

I don’t follow leaders and I’m not a social feeder

I won’t nod my head—I’m a rebel
born and bred

Got my own voice, my own two feet

So can you tell me please

Who elected you to speak?

Got my own money, buy my own drinks

So I wanna know—can you tell me please

Who elected you to think?

I wanna know, who elected you?

I’ve never done hard time, keep my nose on the line

I ain’t committed no bad crimes, I find my own relief

So tell me please, what is it you need?

I wanna know, who elected you

Who elected you to lead me?

Her-i-can

Some nights when twilight calls

When day’s been loud and long

And the moon beckons from behind clouds

Displaying a hazy golden ring

I know what’s coming and I think

How am I going stand—one more her-i-can?

Refrain: Her-i-can—I can’t explain

Her-i-can, who’s to blame?

When she drops down

We always go…another round….

She was born when a blizzard’s blight

Darkened the day and lit up the night

She grew up chasing storms

She was far from a normal kind of girl

She’s my joy; she’s my pain, ain’t she grand?

She’s one badddd her-i-can.

Die Loving–A Mushy One

Spoken: you said what I did was a crime—I should be doing time

Go ahead tell the jury—just don’t forget—the rest of the story…

I know leaving and losing, bitching and boozing

But I just can’t recall—why you left

Why it matters at all.

I can’t catch a break

I’m a fool that gets flung; the bee that gets stung

The dope that gets smoked

And I just can’t recall—why it matters at all.

I know the blues; how to make hearts ache

All the liars, and all the fakes

But I just don’t understand

Why I care, why I still give a damn.

I know crying and moaning, tossing and turning

So why can’t I see it through?

Guess there’s just no getting over getting over you.

Families all gone, I guess nothing lasts long

At least no one I care about will know

Mistakes I’ve made, how little I got to show.

Darling, the candles just a nub, only dregs in my cup

The sun’s long gone

And the face in the mirror—looks all wrong.

End of the road, end of this song

No, I’m not gonna cry, and I’m not saying why

I’m just passing the time, till my candle burns high.

c Jo Hannigan, all rights reserved