September 15, 2022

"Always trust your cape..."

Back in the 1970s, Guy Clark used to play in my small NC-foothills hometown at a smalltown bar (then known as Fast Company) that featured live music on a small stage. My brother was known for belting out "Jumpin' Jack Flash" with his small hometown band from that stage. In front of the stage was a small dance floor; sometimes Brother and I would clear the floor with our dancing....

I was reminded of this song earlier this week when it played on my Pandora John Prine genre list. Hadn't heard it in at least a coupleish years; I'd forgotten about it. Now, I've probably listened to it at least 12 times. It's a good tune and words to have runnin' through my head.

Son visited me yesterday. First time I'd seen him since beginning/mid-April; he works in Alaska every spring and summer and got back to his home in SC last week. (Hubby saw Son in Alaska in August when Hubby visited Son up there.) It was good to see him. We talked and then sat around and listened to music. (And to me adding percussions with a coughing spell. It was productive. Ha.) I played "The Cape" for Son, and he really likes it. Hubby really likes it too...


Eight years old with a flour sack cape tied all around his neck
He climbed up on the garage, he's figurin what the heck
Screwed his courage up so tight, that the whole thing come unwound
He got a runnin start and bless his heart, he headed for the ground

Well he's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape

Now he's all grown up with a flour sack cape tied all around his dreams
And he's full of piss and vinegar, and he's bustin at the seams
So he licked his finger and checked the wind, its gonna be do or die
He wasnt scared of nothin, he was pretty sure he could fly

Well he's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape

Now he's old and gray with a flour sack cape tied all around his head
And he's still jumpin off the garage and will be 'til he's dead
All these years the people said, "He's actin like a kid"
He did not know he could not fly, so he did

Well he's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape

Yeah, he's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape

Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape