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Wipe the Dust off Your Bellows

from 100 Summers by James Lee Baker

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about

For many songwriters, a prompt is often enough to warrant the exploration of some specific idea but, for me, I usually require some sort of emotional connection to what I am writing about. The tangible connection for this song was the departure of my late grandfather from this life. He was a very musical person — playing piano in his early days through his latter years until he could no longer accurately press the keys down on the piano because of his struggle with multiple sclerosis.

It was the first time that I ever lost someone that was close to me that I got to know as a person, so it was difficult to go through that experience. Such a transformation put perspective on my life as an individual, helping me realize the value of relationships and their temporal nature.

lyrics

Hey, it's Rick from the band
I’m sitting here at home
I thought I’d check in
Could you pick up the phone?

It’s been a few months now
and I know your life has changed
You and I, we haven’t spoken
since Holly passed away

I came to realize
Since my heart attack in April
I need to do what I love
as long as I am able

so I’m giving you a call
to see how you'd feel
About getting the band together for a meal

You could wipe the dust off the bellows
I’ll string up my guitar
We'll play the "Alligator Waltz"
or Buckwheat's "Back into your Arms"

Life is one big performance
and we are the stars
so wipe the dust off the bellows
Please come play your part

Back in the day
The ladies called you "the squeeze"?
Cause you'd steal a girl’s heart
When your fingers touched the keys.

But the only woman you fancied
All the boys wanted too
Thank God she had the moxie to propose to you

(Instrumental of chorus)

I think of her smile in the front row
And if Holly were here today
I know that she’d want you
To take the keys out and play

But I’m running out of tape
On your answering machine
So give me a call back
When you’re free

You could wipe the dust off the bellows
and play "The King of Zydeco"
I’ll take the harmony
And you can break out your solo
Life is one big performance
and we are the stars
So wipe the dust off your bellows
And come play your part

Wipe the dust off the bellows
of your heart

credits

from 100 Summers, released September 4, 2020

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James Lee Baker Denver, Colorado

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