Remembering Joseph Hill on his birthday today - January 22, 2019 - by posting this eulogy I wrote over 12 years ago after learning of his passing. Joseph Hill & Culture As we ponder the great loss of Joseph Hill we reflect on his many works. Going back to the foundation of reggae music, Joseph brought forward a sound vibe that still echoes in my brain. As a top-notch vocalist, song writer, and human I'll never forget Josephs influence on me as a reggae listening youth. "Psalm of Bob Marley" brought a tear to my eye, now we need a "Psalm of Joseph Hill." With his straight forward lyrical statements he left no doubt about his meaning, now we need more straight shooters like him. His admonitions in "Youth Man Move" moved you to dance, moved you to take control of your destiny. In "Work On Natty" he stresses the importance of hard work, of being diligent in the face of poverty. I ask Joseph "Tell Me Where You Get It?" Now I ask...
Sonoran Barbacoa Sizzling peppers send smoke signals Carne asada sears over mesquite A hungry traveler lurks in the brush And dreams of something to eat On the road so long Himself grilled by the sun Nearly out of water And not out to harm anyone As a tendril of smoke fills his nose And a bastard buzzard circles overhead Smells from his youth tickle his soul And coax him back from the dead From menudo to adobo With rice and beans Con mas frutas y dulces He smells it all… it seems He thinks about Durango And cool mountain air And fresh roasted corn At the village town square He wishes he was there Or just up the arroyo Where blazing ranchero music Mixes with the smoke of grilled pollo And so off he goes With his hat in his hand Where he’ll join with those gringos… For his first meal in this land By: Jesse Alberson Tucson, Az
Pinche Pemex Station Beneath the rusted awning Of a sweltering Pemex station Where the stench of spilled diesel Mingles with exhaust... and sanitation Little relief from the heat 250 miles and no water to spare No place to retreat But a Pemex station so foul of air A mixed blessing it was When it was just over the horizon Not so much now... because They have no gas for the Datsun No refrigeration for the Topo Chico Whose cases sit full in the sun No toilet paper in the banos But that hasn't stopped anyone Cacahuates Y churros Are sold in the lot By Damas on burros Whose nostrils blow hot... Air so vile and fumes so strong Tempers are flaring, nerves set to fray Being told "it wont be long... Maybe tomorrow, maybe today" Stranded with roaches and rodents Scorpions and snakes Struggling with your Spanish While a roadkill carcass bakes Then a wall of dust Rushing with sound The color of rust Billowing and brown Gets dirt in your nos...
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