In this, one of the most emotional weeks of my life, Kathy and I went to see Kate Campbell perform in Atlanta. She performed with her friend and bass player, Don Porterfield, at the Theatrical Outfit, a fine theater in downtown Atlanta. I was thrilled at the prospect, in part, because of a song Kate has been performing a lot lately, called Crazy in Alabama. She wrote the song in 1995, but it has acquired a special relevance in light of historic events.
I heard Odessa’s mind was sick
That she was crazier than hell
The police caught her turning tricks
Down at the Blue and Gray motel
Odessa was the neighbor’s maid
She had ten mouths at home to feed
More below the fold.
I heard Kate Campbell perform this song for the first time in 2004 or 2005. I had never heard of her before, but I had not even heard all the lyrics of the song before tears were pouring down my cheeks. I have had the same experience with that song (and others of hers) quite a few times since, and tonight is no different. Kate comes from the same South where I grew up, with many of the same experiences, with many of the same reactions, so her genius and her creativity touch me on deep levels.
They bussed her kids to Birmingham
And put her in the county jail
Nobody seemed to give a damn
They say a white man posted bail
My dad said not to breathe a word
I told my brother all I heard
Of course, the levels do not have to be so deep these days, because my emotions are so near the surface. I watched a fine man place his hand upon a Bible earlier today, and the same deep joy and deep emotions streamed down my cheeks just the same.
And the train of change
Was coming fast to my hometown
We had the choice to climb on board
Or get run down
It was crazy there were grown men fights
Over segregation and civil rights
Martin Luther King and the KKK
George C. Wallace and LBJ
And when the National Guard came in
I thought the world was gonna end
It was crazy in Alabama
CNN showed the entire ‘I Have a Dream’ speech yesterday. I cried hot tears during that, too. Dismay and regret and wonder why this has taken so long ... . You know, according to Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) live in the moment. If dogs experience different energy from their ‘owners,’ they (the dogs) change and reorient their behavior almost immediately, which bewilders the owners. They think Cesar is a miracle worker (which he IS!), but he says dogs can change quickly because they live in the moment, not in the past, and making dramatic changes happens very fast for them.
Of course, changes can happen fast for our species, too, if we are receptive and if we live in the moment. I have to tell you, just speaking for myself. It is much easier to live in the moment now than it was yesterday. Than it has been for the last eight years.
Down at the corner Dairy Dip
They sold soft ice cream for a dime
White people ordered from the front
The side was for the colored line
We all were told they had their place
Because they were a different race
We spent hot summer afternoons
At the public swimming pool
Where the privileged and the few
Played on their island of cool blue
Brown children watched outside the fence
It never made one lick of sense
So, even if there is regret at the slow pace of social change, I have great joy that we are where we are now. And, perhaps, as my President, Barack Obama says, looking forward is the way to go. My feeling is that MLK Jr. would approve with some sense of satisfaction.
My momma yelled child get inside
Drew the drapes and locked the doors
We watched the marchers passing by
Felt the rumble heard the roar
They all held hands they sang and wept
And freedom rang in every step
Freedom rang in every step ... I saw that, today, too. In the strides taken by my President and the First Lady of the land. I saw it in the steps taken by the millions on the Mall, and in the videos of campaigners for truth and justice and progress over the last 45 plus years. I see it in the steps taken today by our gay and TG brothers and sisters, in the steps we take with them, in the words we share, here on dKos or elsewhere in the world at large. Nothing in today’s world gives me greater pleasure than the perception of this freedom ringing in our many steps.
Cause the train of change
Was marching through my hometown
We had the choice to climb on board
Or get run down
It was crazy there were grown men fights
Over segregation and civil rights
Martin Luther King and the KKK
George C. Wallace and LBJ
And when the National Guard came in
I thought the world was gonna end
It was crazy in Alabama
Here is a video of my friend, Kate Campbell, performing this song. Be patient with her, she transposes two words late in the song, but it will convey her incredible creativity and heart all the same. I am including the complete lyrics, all together, from her website, in a comment, below. By all means read along as you watch.
If you wish to listen to the CD version of this song (I HIGHLY recommend this!), it may be listened to for free on Rhapsody, here. It is song #14 in this list, and will require six minutes and three seconds of your time, WELL worth it. This version has some fine piano accompaniment, as well. (As I understand it, it is possible to listen to up to 25 songs on that site without any registration or commitment. And the music plays in your browser.)
On to tonight’s comments! sardonyx has very graciously assembled the TC box comments for me, and has done the Top Mojo, too, so please thank him accordingly with a tip, below. Or two. :)
From MsGrin:
In Mel Carne's diary Cheney's in a wheelchair!, Bensdad tells us we shouldn't rejoice.
From ScottyUrb:
Whom do rationalcauses and unfinished60sbusiness wish could be alive to see this inauguration?
From Spathiphyllum:
In kos's front page post-oath diary, It was Roberts' f'up, Hesiod tells it like it is.
From Dem in the heart of Texas:
In catilinus's recommended diary, YesSHE did, there was a wonderful thread that starts here. Kudos to psilocynic and droogie6655321 for a great exchange that gave me a laugh and made me miss my mom!
From AJ in Camden:
This comment by MacJimi in Trapper John's diary Preemptive Note to Wingnuts and PUMAs.
From bubbanomics:
A falme diarist makes a pitiful attempt at dissecting President Obama's "trips" in speaking today. Observing the President's exclamation that "it's warm," the diarist closes with an especially sad statement: "No, Mr. President. I can assure you it wasn't warm. I've got my eyes on you."
ooooo! Fortunately for us, Marcion provides the perfect rejoinder.
From Angry Mouse:
So many great comments today, but here were some of my favorites:
Archangel writes a note.
david mizner has us think about this.
arielle says it's a great day.
From sardonyx:
Upon hearing last night that Dick Cheney had injured his back while moving, spyguy999 writes about ingratitude.
In kos's story Hoping for Obama's failure, davewill reminds us of a previous era of high favorability numbers.
Edgewater writes This day is already changing things.
From Purple Priestess:
In Chris Rodda's diary about an e-mail received by MRFF, funluvn1 tells us what Rick Warren was really thinking today.
From asimbagirl:
This comment from MufsMom—and the follow up—are hilarious responses to Roberts', um, screw up of the oath delivery today. They caused much hilarity at the Inauguration day festivities that I'm attending with TC's own CS Kendrick, along with Floja Roja, lulu57, donnamarie, politik, jez, rkelley25, and reahti—plus assorted respective spouses and children.
From nightprowlkitty:
joanneleon hit one out of the ballpark in buhdydharma's Question diary today.
Here are my humble selections, please add your own, below! :)
bejammin075 has a parting gift for the former president. ;x
Here's a riddle for you! Why did Chief Justice (and I use the term loosely) botch the Oath of Office? Here is Gooserock's theory! :)
MiscastDice gives us a perspective on Rick Warren.
Top Mojo (cskendrick/sardonyx-style) excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments, and Cheers and Jeers:
1) I hereby acknowledge by Jerome a Paris — 189
2) Fein has been clear on that for a while by teacherken — 140
3) Had to post this pic by turneresq — 107
4) It's amazing what three little words by logsol — 102
5) Here's a shout out to by Andrew C White — 97
6) Cool! by buhdydharma — 94
7) It could be called the Mom Hall of Fame. by psilocynic — 86
8) Soliciting funds by droogie6655321 — 81
9) The moms of great men and women should have a by psilocynic — 81
10) I watched from the break room by droogie6655321 — 80
11) I imagine the Republicans will continue by tovan — 78
12) Excellent! So it begins by marketgeek — 78
13) It's from the Constititution by MufsMom — 76
14) America and Americans are exceptional by drag0n — 72
15) well, yes by Jerome a Paris — 72
16) If you find enforced approval by Edgewater — 71
17) There was plenty offensive about that prayer... by Shes a Riot — 71
18) I just saw an End The War ad on our NBC station by highacidity — 70
19) I am so completely cereal by droogie6655321 — 70
20) I took the day off by anotherdemocrat — 69
21) Thanks for reminding us all... by David Kroning — 68
22) Even the Moonies know that the tide has turned... by David Kroning — 68
23) When I read your diaries by psilocynic — 67
24) I think Byrd was overcome with emotional distress by slinkerwink — 66
25) And he chose to do the right thing... by kurious — 65
26) That Chris Wallace is a jackass. :) nt by missLotus — 65
27) Oh, Bush is sitting there listening to Obama by Inland — 64
28) Please, no... by highacidity — 62
29) Did you read the diary? by inclusiveheart — 62
30) Rick Warren did not say a prayer... by David Kroning — 60
31) I received a telephone call from my Republican by rontun — 60
Top Mojo with No Exclusions:
1) Tips for this being a new day! by Bidabunch — 604
2) Yes we did. by Angry Mouse — 537
3) Tip Jar by Chris Rodda — 498
4) Tip Jar - 20 January by Jerome a Paris — 438
5) I haven't seen that many swearings-in... by droogie6655321 — 352
6) tip jar n/t by Sahdad — 344
7) Tips For LBJ. by Frank Cocozzelli — 304
8) Free tip: by catilinus — 267
9) tips for change. by Zain — 266
10) . by buhdydharma — 260
11) Thank You. by Lying eyes — 234
12) Mug for major mojo (aka tip jar) by teacherken — 216
13) Tip Jar by Muzikal203 — 190
14) I hereby acknowledge by Jerome a Paris — 189
15) Tip from a Christian. by HeyMikey — 146
16) Fein has been clear on that for a while by teacherken — 140
17) Tips/Recs for Creepy Prescience by Brainwrap — 120
18) Had to post this pic by turneresq — 107
19) * FIRST !!! * by Al Rodgers — 104
20) It's amazing what three little words by logsol — 102
21) Here's a shout out to by Andrew C White — 97
22) No. It's because by TomP — 97
23) Peace to the new President... by JeffLieber — 96
24) Tip jar? by HeidiEight — 95
25) WTF is going on here? by Mumon — 94
26) Cool! by buhdydharma — 94
27) omg! by slinkerwink — 94
28) And further... by Dallasdoc — 93
29) God Bless America by DrFrankLives — 92
30) The second best part... by wmtriallawyer — 87
Thank you for reading tonight!