Chronicles Of Me
The Story Behind Let That River Wash Me To The Gulf Of Mexico
There is a story here and I think it is pretty clear and doesn't need explanation, but I want to add some other dimensions to the tale.
First, it is true. Second, it is an amalgamation of two experiences, one with my father and the other with my daughter.
My father had several heart attacks and other health issues but still lived alone in the manner he chose.
A few months before his passing, I stopped by his place and asked him a question: “What was your first childhood memory?”
That led to some pretty great stories!
It turns out that we had a lot of shared memories which were a generation separated, and of things that neither of us was aware that the other knew.
Just one example: There was a huge mulberry tree on a sandbar in the middle of the creek from which we both feasted, divided by 20 years. There were lots of others, and it was at that time that he told me that he had made plans for his cremation and wanted me to spread his ashes along that creek bank.
My daughter was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and told that she had only 2 years to live. She lived 5 years on her own terms. She was a fighter. She fought for the sake of the rest of us.
A year or so before she died I had 2 heart attacks in a 6 month period. She came to see me at the hospital and wanted to take me back home when I was released. In our conversation she said ”I will make you a deal: I won’t give up if you wont give up!”
Neither of us did!
The chorus of this song was inspired by her iron will.
Let That River Wash Me (To The Gulf Of Mexico)
Chorus
Ashes to ashes, iron turns to rust. It's better to die living than to grovel in the dust. And when the living’s over, turn me loose and let me go Let the river wash me to the Gulf of Mexico!
Verse 1
Before my father was my father, he took comfort in the breeze When the shade fell down upon him by the creek beneath the trees, He followed that old creek bank wherever it would go Where the water meets the water to the Gulf of Mexico!
Chorus
Ashes to ashes, iron turns to rust. It's better to die living than to grovel in the dust. And when the living’s over, turn me loose and let me go Let the river wash me to the Gulf of Mexico!
Verse 2
The time was drawing near. I didn’t know what I should know. So we drank a beer and talked about the row we had to hoe. Take my ashes to the creek bank, spread them out and let me go. Let it take me to the river and the Gulf of Mexico!
Chorus
Ashes to ashes, iron turns to rust. It's better to die living than to grovel in the dust. And when the living’s over, turn me loose and let me go Let the river wash me to the Gulf of Mexico!
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