Ten years ago when I first read The Grapes of Wrath, one short chapter really impacted me. At the time, even though I hadn't really touched a guitar for years, I thought I must absolutely write a song about it. I even knew what the title would be: Texas Boy, Cherokee Girl. Now the years have rolled by and the song has finally been written. All the best lines were contributed, as you might expect, by John Steinbeck. :)
Besides me doing the stuff I do, this song includes piano parts inspired by my lovely daughter, Allie, as well as a wonderful violin played by Allie's best friend, Sarah Thorten.
lyrics
She said, “Spin, spin me around.
But don't let my feet touch the ground.”
So he took her hand
And led her out within reach of the band.
As the music started to play
They let themselves fall under its sway
An old man's guitar starts to beat like a heart
The square closes up as the dancing starts
Feet beating dull strike the bare, dusty ground.
Hands reach and swing and hair starts to fall down
But, oh won't you look at that Texas boy!
His long legs loose, feet tapping with joy!
See how he swings that Cherokee girl!
She's red in the cheeks, gasping with every twirl!
Texas boy's hair falls into his eyes
Can't get no air though his mouth's open wide
Look at her panting, see her chest heave
Some say she's winded but don't you believe
The boy and the girl dance one final song,
Because the moon will rise here before too long.
Now they are steppen' away into the dark,
Towards the warmth of the shadows past the dyin' fires' sparks.
And they both think that no one see's 'em go
But they can't be hurt by what they do not know:
That in this held breath all men want to be him instead
And every woman would go where Cherokee girl is led.
Her pa moves to stop 'em cause he clearly sees
But he might as well stop the sap from rising in the trees.
So he stops his walking, feeling weak in the knees,
And watches the dying embers soaring up on the breeze.
credits
from Blood&Honey,
released May 13, 2010
Written and performed by Stephen Cluff with violin by Sarah Thorten.
Four indie-pop reflections on growth and loss from the Australian singer-songwriter, sustained by robust pianos and fervent vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 29, 2024