Old Shoes & Picture Postcards

atavus:

Sarolta Bán

Website | Flickr | Facebook

The other song that was one of my first musical influences:

The Yellow Bandana - Faron Young (1962)

This is the story of the Yellow Bandana
A handsome young soldier and the girl named Rosana.

Oh, way down west in the winds on New Mexico
There lived a girl and the soldier who loved her so
And every night neath the full crimson moon above
This brave young soldier would pledge her his love.

And he gave Rosana his yellow bandana
To wear in her hair till he’s with her once more
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana
Mounted his pony and rode off to war.

His orders came and he had to ride west again
Seems that Apaches were causing unrest again
He kissed Rosana goodbye as he rode away
Promising this time he’d come back to stay.

And he gave Rosana his yellow bandana
To wear in her hair till he’s with her once more
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana
Mounted his pony and rode off to war.

That war was over and he came back home and found
That the Apaches had burned the whole village down
And neath the tree where he’d last kissed Rosana
Gripped on the cross was his yellow bandana.

And he gave Rosana his yellow bandana
To wear in her hair till he’s with her once more
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana
Mounted his pony and rode off to war.

He gave Rosana his yellow bandana
To wear in her hair till he’s with her once more
He gave Rosana his yellow bandana
Mounted his pony and rode off to war….

This song came to mind today as I was reading another biography of Tom Waits who apparently also listened to it as a young boy (it was released in 1959 - Tom was born in ‘49)

It is very important in my musical and overall development, as it was the first song / record I ever listened to. 

I stole the album from my dad - it was a Country and Western compilation album - and snuck into the attic where I had set-up my record player.

I didn’t like many of the songs on the album, but I loved this one and played it over and over again. Endlessly and for years.

I loved the rolling music, the exotic sound of Mexican rhythms, the narrative storyline, the drama and the romance. 

As a little boy I grew up dreaming of Felina and riding across the plains of Texas on my horse to escape the law by heading to the “badlands of New Mexico” … one day return to Felina, but hopefully without getting shot as I kept on doing in the song…

I started listening to this when I was around 7 or 8 years old. I think I wanted to sing and play guitar from then. Slightly less dangerous than killing cowboys and sherifs etc… and almost as romantic. Sort of.

“Back in El Paso my life would be worthless

Everything’s gone in life

Nothing is left

It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden

My love is stronger than my fear of death

I saddled up and away I did go

Riding alone in the dark

Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me

Tonight nothing’s worse than this pain in my heart”

And then the tragic end, a necessity in the tale of the Knight or in this case the Cowboy…

“Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel

A deep burning pain in my side

Though I am trying to stay in the saddle

I’m getting weary, unable to ride

But my love for Felina is strong

And I rise where I’ve fallen

Though I am weary I can’t stop to rest

I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle

I feel the bullet go deep in my chest

From out of nowhere, Felina has found me, 

Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side. 

Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for, 

One little kiss and Felina good-bye.”

Maybe one day I’ll play at Rosa’s Cantina and dedicate this song to Felina. 

Or whoever she has become now.

Coffee & Cigarettes - Iggy Pop & Tom Waits