Utah

by Ralston Bowles

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about

This was written upon the learning of Utah Phillips passing. This song is only found on a compilation disc which was made as a fund raiser for kids at risk in the public schools to help after school programs in art and music for them.

You can read a review at: www grcmc org wyce

There was a first volume which included a number of musicians and can be found at Amazon by searching for Standing Together

lyrics

Cleveland, Ohio, May '35
Bruce Duncan Phillips newly arrived
Edwin and Francis activists true
Their union and labor brought the world you

Dishwasher, stock clerk, odd jobs you could get
Gathering stories from the people you met
You gave them music and you sang them to all
Giving the hobo the right to stand tall

Utah, Utah, You let us see what you saw
The world is tragically beautiful

It was need, not greed, took you off to war
Korea took three years and apparently more
They taught you to shoot and left you depressed
You served your country but it served you less

So back to the States and back to the rails
Back to Salt Lake where you path crossed Joe Hill's
And you learned in war that peace is the best
And everything else is just shades of death

Utah, Utah, You let us see what you saw
The world is tragically beautiful

A wordsmith, alchemist, teller of tales
Of blue collar workers and riders of rails
You borrowed this culture never stealing a thing
And gave it all back in words all could sing
A storm was reported the day that you died
And at 73 well you had quite a ride
And as thunder rolled in like rail-less train
Your heart hopped aboard humming
"Wish i Could Be the Rain"

Utah, Utah, You let us see what you saw
The world is tragically beautiful

credits

released May 21, 2015
Ralston Bowles - vocals and guitar
Drew Howard - slide quitar
Greg Baxter - engineer

license

about

Ralston Bowles Grand Rapids, Michigan

shows

May 1

The Ark

Ann Arbor, MI
May 2

Flint Local 432

Flint, MI
May 3

The Acorn

Three Oaks, MI
May 4

The Alluvion

Traverse City, MI
May 5

Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA)

Ludington, MI

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