Saturday…

The Winamp machine was playing this song last night. For some reason it just didn’t sound quite right and I couldn’t figure out why… I mean I knew the song… Knew it really well… But not the Jimmy Buffett version. So, I went into google mode… And the answer was obvious… Mary Gauthier…

When I wandered over to her website and read the story behind the song

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On the afternoon of July 20, 2002, I rolled into Greenfield, Mass., to perform at the Green River. The colorful beauty of the day had me smiling, and to top it off there were dozens of multi colored hot air balloons in the fields waiting to set sail. The weather was perfect for a music festival, sunny warm, slight breeze, and low humidity. I remember thinking this is going to be a great weekend as I entered the festival’s performer check-in area to get my credentials.  I was particularly looking forward to seeing my friend Dave Carter who was also playing the event.

I wasn’t there in line waiting for my laminate for 5 minutes when someone, a stranger, came up to me with a somber look on her face and asked, “Have you heard about Dave?” I said nothing, frozen there, afraid of what was coming next. “Dave had a heart attack yesterday, he’s gone. We lost him.” I said, ”Dave Carter? The songwriter? Are you sure?” I had a feeling there was some kind of mistake being made. Someone else came up, and they told me it was true. Dave passed away the day before, after a morning jog, and Tracy was still holed up in the hotel room. I grabbed my phone and called her, then got back in my car and went straight over. It was an awful, awful day. I will never forget it. Dave Carter was one of the true greats, and his timeless songs will live on forever.

BEHIND THE SONG: WHEEL INSIDE THE WHEEL

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So… On a flight up to a show in Canada, inspiration struck and Mary spent time between sets writing the song that became Wheel Inside a Wheel. And it’s Mary’s version of the song that has become ingrained in my braincells…

LYRICS
A parade of souls is marching across the sky
Their heat and their light bathed in blue as they march by
The All Stars play When the Saints Go Marching In
A second line forms and they wave white hankies in the wind

Satchmo takes a solo, and he flashes his million-dollar smile
Marie Laveau  promenades with Oscar Wilde
Big Funky Stella twirls her little red umbrella to the beat
As the soul parade winds its way down Eternity Street

Souls ain’t born, souls don’t die
Soul ain’t made of earth, ain’t made’a water, ain’t made of sky
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel 
And roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
 
Mardi Gras Indians chant in the streets at sundown
Spyboy meets Spyboy and Big Chief meets Big Chief uptown
They circle and sway in their rainbow-colored feathers and beads
They prance like peacocks, children of slavery freed

Souls ain’t born, souls don’t die
Soul ain’t made of earth, ain’t made’a water, ain’t made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel 
Roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

The Krewe of the Crossbones parades into the midnight sun
They march through the fire and come out beating homemade drums
While the French Quarter Queens in their high-heeled drag disguise
Sing “Over the Rainbow” ‘til Judy Garland quivers and sighs 

Souls ain’t born, souls don’t die
Soul ain’t made of earth, ain’t made’a water, ain’t made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel 
And roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

Flambeau dancers light the walkway to Lucky Pierre’s
There’s a party tonight and all the girls are gonna be there
Sipping wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talking trash
It’s a red carpet, black tie, all night, celestial bash

Souls ain’t born, souls don’t die
Soul ain’t made of earth, ain’t made of water, ain’t made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel 
Roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Yeah, roll on brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

Here’s the original I can’t ever unhear…

Y’all stay safe, stay healthy, and say a prayer for our dysfunctional country and the world… I’ll catch y’all on the other side…