''When we pay our grocery bill, we just feel like making our will...''

"There once was a time when everything was cheap
But now prices nearly put a man to sleep…...
When we pay our grocery bill,
We just feel like making our will...''

Aν οι παραπανω στοιχοι δε σας θυμιζουν τιποτα, τοτε, ισως να μην εχετε ακουσει το πολυ καλο τραγουδι του Blind Alfred Reed: Hοw Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live? (διαβαστε τους στοιχους, πιο κατω) που το εγραψε στα 1929, δηλαδη μεσα στην "μαυρη εποχη" της λεγομενης Great Depression (παγκόσμιας οικονομικής ύφεσης).

Αξιζει να κανουμε καποιες συγκρισεις, μια και οι καιροι μας εχουν μεγαλες ομοιοτητες με τις κοινωνιοοικονομικες συνθηκες που ισχυαν την εποχη που γραφηκε το συγκεκριμενο τραγουδι.

Μετα τον Alfred Reed που το πρωτοτραγουδησε με συνοδεια βιολιου,  ο Ry Cooder, στα 1970, εκανε μικρες αλλαγες και αργοτερα το τραγουδησαν οι Del Lords στα 1984, (στο πρωτο τους αlbum Frontier Days).

Το 2006 το τραγουδα ο Bruce Springsteen (Seeger Sessions Band Tour) και αφου το ηχογραφει το συμπεριλαμβανει και στην επανεκδοση του album του: ''We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition'' (Oκτ. 2006).

Ο Springsteen κρατησε τη μουσικη του Ry Cooder και ενα μονο απο τους στοιχους του Reed. Oι υπολοιποι στοιχοι γραφηκαν απο τον Springsteen, σαν κριτικη εναντια στη κυβερνηση Bush που δεν ανταποκριθηκε εγκαιρα και  αποτελεσματικα στις καταστροφες του τυφωνα Katrina (Aυγουστος του 2005) στη περιοχη της Νew Orleans, Louisiana.

Σημ. Εχω ακουσει τους David Lindley + Ηani Nasser (1995) που κανoυν τη καλυτερη, κατα τη γνωμη μου, απ ολες τις βερσιον  του ομωνυμου τραγουδιου. Δυστυχως δεν υπαρχει το video αυτο στο youtube....

HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE ?

‘Blind Alfred Reed’ - 1929

There once was a time when everything was cheap,
But now prices nearly puts a man to sleep.
When we pay our grocery bill,
We just feel like making our will --
I remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt,
We could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt.
Now we pay three bucks or more,
Maybe get a shirt that another man wore --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Well, I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray,
Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound bag.
Now it's a dollar and a half beside,
Just like a-skinning off a flea for the hide --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Oh, the schools we have today ain't worth a cent,
But they see to it that every child is sent.
If we don't send everyday,
We have a heavy fine to pay --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Prohibition's good if 'tis conducted right,
There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight.
Officers kill without a cause,
They complain about funny laws --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Most all preachers preach for gold and not for souls,
That's what keeps a poor man always in a hole.
We can hardly get our breath,
Taxed and schooled and preached to death --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Oh, it's time for every man to be awake,
We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak.
When we get our package home,
A little wad of paper with gristle and a bone --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Well, the doctor comes around with a face all bright,
And he says in a little while you'll be all right.
All he gives is a humbug pill,
A dose of dope and a great big bill --
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?


Τhe Ry Cooder version /HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE ? (Alfred Reed)
I remember a time when everything was cheap
Now prices nearly puts a man to sleep
Well, when we get our grocery bill
We feel like making our will
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?

Well, the doctor comes around with his face all bright
And he says, "In a little while you'll be all right!"
Well, all he gives is a humbug pill
Dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?

Most preachers, well, they preach for gold and not for soul
Well, that's what keeps us poor folks always in a hole
Now, we can hardly get our breath
Taxed and schooled and preached to death
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live ?

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