by Pa Rock
Poetry Appreciator
American music legend Willie Nelson turned eighty-five yesterday, and, by most accounts, is going as strong as ever. Nelson, a seminal figure in American music, was a salaried songwriter in Nashville working for fifty dollars a week when he penned "Crazy," a song that became an instant hit for singer Patsy Cline. In the intervening years he has written more than three hundred songs and recorded many of them himself. In addition to "Crazy," Willie is known for writing hits like "Shotgun Willie," "On the Road Again," "Hello Walls," "Matador," "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground," and "Funny How Time Slips Away."
A few decades ago Willie Nelson got caught up in a tax mess that left him owing millions to Uncle Sam. As penance, and as a way of getting that debt paid, he booked a threatre in Branson, Missouri, and performed nightly in front of live crowds for a couple of seasons. Each night he played music for two solid hours, without a break, and then left the stage sweating and hosted a receiving line where he shook hands with the starstruck tourists, posed for photos, and signed autographs. I know that because myself and two of my children (Molly and Tim) stood in one of those lines one night and had a few moments of conversation with the country superstar.
The song which follows as today's poetry selection is by Willie the outlaw, and it serves as sort of a rowdy capstone to a long and boisterous career. (The actual recording features Willie along with Snoop Dog, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson.) Please enjoy this fresh breeze emanating from an old soul.
Happy birthday, Willie. May you be around to enjoy many many more!
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
by Willie Nelson
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Now, you won't see no sad and teary eyes
When I get my wings and it's my time to fly
Call my friends and tell 'em
There's a party, come on by
Now just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
When I'd go I've been here long enough
So you'll sing and tell more jokes and dance and stuff
Just keep the music playin',
That'll be a good goodbye
Roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Hey, take me out and build a roaring fire
Roll me in the flames for about an hour
Then take me out and twist me up
And point me towards the sky
And roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Poetry Appreciator
American music legend Willie Nelson turned eighty-five yesterday, and, by most accounts, is going as strong as ever. Nelson, a seminal figure in American music, was a salaried songwriter in Nashville working for fifty dollars a week when he penned "Crazy," a song that became an instant hit for singer Patsy Cline. In the intervening years he has written more than three hundred songs and recorded many of them himself. In addition to "Crazy," Willie is known for writing hits like "Shotgun Willie," "On the Road Again," "Hello Walls," "Matador," "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground," and "Funny How Time Slips Away."
A few decades ago Willie Nelson got caught up in a tax mess that left him owing millions to Uncle Sam. As penance, and as a way of getting that debt paid, he booked a threatre in Branson, Missouri, and performed nightly in front of live crowds for a couple of seasons. Each night he played music for two solid hours, without a break, and then left the stage sweating and hosted a receiving line where he shook hands with the starstruck tourists, posed for photos, and signed autographs. I know that because myself and two of my children (Molly and Tim) stood in one of those lines one night and had a few moments of conversation with the country superstar.
The song which follows as today's poetry selection is by Willie the outlaw, and it serves as sort of a rowdy capstone to a long and boisterous career. (The actual recording features Willie along with Snoop Dog, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson.) Please enjoy this fresh breeze emanating from an old soul.
Happy birthday, Willie. May you be around to enjoy many many more!
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
by Willie Nelson
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Now, you won't see no sad and teary eyes
When I get my wings and it's my time to fly
Call my friends and tell 'em
There's a party, come on by
Now just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
When I'd go I've been here long enough
So you'll sing and tell more jokes and dance and stuff
Just keep the music playin',
That'll be a good goodbye
Roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Hey, take me out and build a roaring fire
Roll me in the flames for about an hour
Then take me out and twist me up
And point me towards the sky
And roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die
And if anyone don't like it, just look 'em in the eye
I didn't come here, and I ain't leavin'
So don't sit around and cry
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.
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