Warning: Undefined variable $subject in H:\root\home\paulpara2-001\www\bigmuddy\2014pix\calhoun.html on line 31

(Click any of the picts below to view the picts as a slideshow)

Fred's family lived in a condo, across the tracks from high school Free period, we'd be up there drinkin' tea -happy memory Fred's mother lived in a bathrobe, and frowned more than she spoke She'd emerge on rare occasions for coffee and a smoke Fred's brother lived in his bedroom, without much to feed his soul But a couple thousand 45's, and a love for rock and roll Fred said he'd been suicidal, and he had a rare affliction With no moisture to his body, he used lotion by the carton Fred's brother used so much lotion, of this one special brand That each year they sent a company pen, to thank the nation's dryest man Fred's Dad bought a little farm, a bet for better days Where we cleared out box elder trees for a week of summer days When we finished high school, all their kids were grown Fred's Dad moved his quiet wife out to that quiet farm Fred's Mom was long recovered, and his brother, twenty-seven Set to marry his first girlfriend, a nineteen year old woman They offered thirty dollars, I thought it quite a thing To mark the priceless honor of singing at the wedding And so they came to walk between new and old family And stood in humble joy before the minister and me But I recoil to recall the twisted things he said His words flowed on like oily snakes that rent the air and fled And he could quote the words of Paul, and Jesus' death and rise But he could not see the holy thing that stood before his eyes He told them where the spirit lived, he warned them how it moved As if true love, the miracle, could somehow be improved I saw the bride's glad shining eyes glaze over and go dull The groom stood grey and vacant now where late his heart was full But something more than anger caused my voice to ring And gave me breath to sing their song, better than I can sing And when my part was over, all praises to the muse It wasn't just the old folks that were crying in the pews Fred's brother lives in Wisconsin, four children to his wife He still has to put on lotion every morning of his life