a Classic tune -- Night Train
Press release!! I have started posting on my Christmas Tree blog tonight. Click here to see Tree # 01 for 2023.
The year was nineteen fifty-three,
I had just dropped out of college
A few months, I adjusted well
a job in the watch factory
Lincoln, Nebraska did me fine
Father wanted his pickup back
said "It's time for you to get a car"
Nineteen fifty Studebaker
Starlight Tudor was fine for me
I soon joined a group, well two groups
My favorite would carouse the streets
Tire and go to one fellows home
Another Jim, folks had left town
A bunch, we'd entertain ourselves
Boys, sometimes boys and girls, we'd meet
Meet and drink, drink and dance or chat
Play some games--when things slowed some left
Others would nap, played some records
One song we left playing all night
'Twas a new tempo, made the charts
"Night Train", played and played, played some more
Over fifty years, Classic now
Not ever sung, it has no words
Memories brought to light tonight
- - -
[click on the lower left, it will 'open' and play]
- Photo and Poem Copyright, Jimmiehov 2023, All Rights Reserved
- I am linked with I am linked with Kim at dVerse "Without Words" at
where she wants us to write about a "piece of instrumental song," not words having words. She said Jazz is okay, I'm sure this one, Rythm and Blues #1 at one time, fits. Play it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaFWKYqGrP0, good for sleeping too.
- Click here to read more writing tonight on our prompt topic.
[picture of my toy 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe, a cast iron model of my first car]
[I have quite a few cast iron 1:18 scale toy cars, this one included.]
- I did have more life than this back then. My other group, yes, but some dating also. I had a 'steady' for about a year and a half, until her former boyfriend came home from the Army. She had worked with me, but left that day, I never saw her again, nor ever saw him. I did see her little brother that we fished with at a tourist stop in Oklahoma, just talked a little bit. Didn't mention her sister, I didn't ask.
- I also went back to college, also working at NASA Houston as a Ford Motor Company contractor Aerospace Engineer and ended up with three degrees. Married too, five children. I left NASA in 1980 and taught in a community college for 22 years. I retired in 2001. Must buy that CD.
..
posted by Jim @ 12/05/2023 09:14:00 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Jim, that’s a great piece, especially for night-time listening, although it’s morning now over here – still great. I love the memories it brought back for you and the little film that is playing in my head, with you driving to work in the watch factory in your Nineteen fifty Studebaker Starlight Tudor, and carousing the streets with you group of friends. I so enjoy your autobiographical pieces – such a different teenage-hood to my own.
I love how music can evoke such memories. Thank you for sharing, Jim!
The music matches the memory in a kind of contrapuntal fashion, your words filling in the details, the rhythm and ease of the jazz filling in the flow of life at the time. Loved this, Jim.
Earthy piece of music Jim I enjoyed it. It’s got a real crawl and drive to it. I liked it. Also, the Studebaker is cool I know it’s a toy but it’s still cool. I actually owned a real life Studebaker, 1953 model many years ago the car was way ahead of its time zone wise. Nice work here my friend. 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
Oh... I had never heard this before, but some music really brings us back don't they (and I managed to find your song on Spotify, so it is now on the playlist)
What an interesting trip down memory lane. Loved your poem and the music is intriguing. Was it on a 78 rpm recording? Well done.
Oh Jim! In the 50s we weren't certain what the flutters were all about BUT I can tell you when we heard and slow danced to Night Train ... we HAD them. Thanks for the memories and the thrills.
Jim loved the reminiscing and can see the house party in my mind.
Those carefree days Jim, I like the jazz piece and your words capture its - for me- jaunty nature and the happiness of those times.
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