#239 / One More Sunday Sermon Song

It was hard to learn of Robie Robertson's death, on August 9, 2023. He was just eighty. I am going to be eighty pretty soon!

I am, more and more - and it is because I practice - a "Memento Mori" kind of guy. Still, I was not ready to hear the news, and to learn that Robie Robertson has moved on "down the line. " Bob Dylan said that Robertson's passing left "a vacancy in the world." I think that's so. 

While I love "Playing For Change," and all the songs presented on that platform, it is only Robertson's rendition of "The Weight" - helped along by Ringo Starr and other incomparable musicians - that will reliably bring me to tears. You can listen by clicking the YouTube link above. May Robertson's song bring you to tears, too.

"The Weight," I think, is another "Sunday Sermon Song," like the one from The Youngbloods that I featured a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to Robie Robertson, let's listen to the words of someone from Nazareth who tells us - who is telling us all - to "put the load right on me." 

Really, I mean it. 

Click the link and play the song. Join me in a salute to Robbie Robertson.

oooOOOooo

The Weight

I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I could lay my head
Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?
He just grinned and shook my hand
'No' was all he said

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me

I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I said 'Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown'
She said 'I gotta go but my friend can stick around'

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me

Go down Miss Moses, there's nothing that you can say
It's just old Luke, waiting on the judgement day
'Well, Luke my friend, what about young Anna-Lee?'
He said 'Do me a favour son, won't you stay and keep Anna-Lee company?'

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me

Crazy Chester followed me
And he caught me in the fog
He said, "I will fix your rack
If you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester
You know I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's okay, boy
Won't you feed him when you can?" (Yeah)

Take a load off, Fanny 
Take a load for free 
Take a load off, Fanny 
And you put the load right on me

Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, I know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (And, and)
You put the load right on me (You put the load right on me)

To Subscribe Just Click This Link

 

Image Credit:

https://youtu.be/ph1GU1qQ1zQ