d.: That song that Cal.E. was singing yesterday at the end of the blog is called “Folsom Prison Blues, by Johnny Cash. It was written about a prison in California. It is about getting out of prison. However, Johnny Cash had only been incarcerated (briefly) in one place in his life- Starkville, Mississippi. The Man in Black” had just performed a concert at Mississippi State University and was seen wondering the streets of “StarkVegas” inebriated. The cops in that part of the country are very strict. Even a celebrity cannot get away with much
Someone who WAS in prison and wrote a song about his stay in it was the singer known as “Leadbelly.” He wrote the lyrics and the music to “Midnight Special” while incarcerated in Imperial Prison in Sugar Land, Texas (the name of the prison was later changed to “Central Prison.”) I live close to where that prison once housed inmates (and the building is still standing). I drive by that building quite frequently. On one of my voyages into Sugar Land, the song “Midnight Special,” which has been kept alive by several singers and bands, was playing on my radio. It made perfect sense when I observed the landmarks to which “Leadbelly,” was referring. (Ring.)
C.: d.c., I just wanted to call you and let you know that I arrived in Angola, Louisiana safely (although NOT without incident). The cops around here are REALLY strict!
d.: I know, Cal.E. I hope you did not talk to them. They might have kept you for “observation” if you did!
C.: I did not. I just hope that the police in the Mississippi Delta are more reasonable. That is where I am headed next!
d.: (Good luck with that!) It’s funny that you bring up those two locations, though, Cal.E. I was just talking to my Facebook friends about “Leadbelly” and the song he wrote at the Central Human Kennel in Sugar Land. He was incarcerated in both Louisiana and Texas in the state penitentiaries, where he supposedly wrote some of his music. I suppose it was easier to write in the human kennel, because he stayed in trouble in the free world.
Central, the oldest prison in Texas, claims Leadbelly wrote “Midnight Special” n that institution. However, I saw a documentary about the human kennel in Mississippi. It is in the Mississippi Delta, where you are going next. Leadbelly was born close to where that kennel is located. That documentary claims that he wrote that song about Parchman State Kennel in Mississippi, since he was born and grew up near it.
That’s the history lesson for today, Cal.E. I am at your mom and dad’s house now.
C.: Oh, you needn’t worry about feeding the animals while Mom and Dad are out of town. I fed the two cats before I left, and I gave Buddy Bones a peace offering of food. It should satisfy his hunger for a while (or maybe longer).
It is sad that Dad sold the family ranch, but the developers offered him too much money to turn down. He wanted to travel before he died. He had some work friends who died suddenly. That encouraged him to follow his dream, so he sold the ranch and retired. Mom was happy because she wanted to travel, too.
d.: What did you give Buddy Bones?!!
C.: Oh, I gave him some delicious chocolate cake, some chocolate covered raisins and some grapes.
d.: ALL of those are toxic to dogs, Cal.E., you know that! I must check on the animals quickly… Hey, Cal.E., do you know where the key to the house is? It is not in its usual place.
C.: I am just unpacking and emptying my pockets, then I will be right with you d.c. (uh oh).
To be continued
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