1PM: i started work on a new 32x32” painting in oil on portrait linen, titled dancing figures. although it’s still early in the process, you can see the dancing figure on the left and the start of the singer holding a mike on the right. the setting is a taiko drumming concert in japan. i’m familar with this because we’ve had such concerts here in crestone in the recent past.
7:29 am this morning from our house
I learned about Joe Hill at Birchwoods, the summer camp near Huntington, Mass., which i attended from about 5 to 16 years old. Today I couldn’t get the song I Dreamed I saw Joe Hill Last Night out of my head, so i decided to post it to my blog.
This song will live forever in my consciousness, and so I offer my thanks to the founders of Birchwoods, Sonya & Otto Rosahn, whose vision made it all possible.
JOE HILL’s last poem, followed by the lyrics to the song i learned at Birchwoods:
My Will is easy to decide
For there is nothing to divide.
My kin don't need to fuss and moan.
"Moss does not cling to rolling stone."
My body?—Oh!—If I could choose
I would to ashes it reduce
And let the merry breezes blow
My dust to where some flowers grow.
Perhaps some fading flower then
Would come to life and bloom again.
This is my Last and Final Will—
Good Luck to All of you,
Joe Hill
Joe Hill
by Alfred Hayes
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I “But Joe, you’re ten years dead”
“I never died” says he,
“I never died” says he.
“In Salt Lake City, Joe,” says I,
Him standing by my bed,
“They framed you on a murder charge,”
Says Joe, “But I ain’t dead,”
Says Joe, “But I ain’t dead.”
“The Copper Bosses killed you Joe,
they shot you Joe” says I.
“Takes more than guns to kill a man”
Says Joe “I didn’t die”
Says Joe “I didn’t die”
And standing there as big as life
and smiling with his eyes.
Says Joe “What they can never kill
went on to organize,
went on to organize”
From San Diego up to Maine,
in every mine and mill,
Where workers strike and organize
it’s there you’ll find Joe Hill,
it’s there you’ll find Joe Hill!
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,
alive as you and me.
Says I “But Joe, you’re ten years dead”
“I never died” says he,
“I never died” says he.
“I never died” says he.