W.C. Handy

by Frank M. Roberts

October 2016

A few years ago, a moneyed cat spent his kid's allowance to buy the original lyrics to the Don McLean song about, "American Pie," paying a measly $1.2 million. Pish-tosh!. How paltry can you get? Another moneyed gent purchased Bob Dylan's original manuscript of, "Like A Rolling Stone," for $2 million.

The 'sort-of'pie classic song is filled with mysterious meanings which he seldom talked about. It's interesting because it tells of the death of some rock 'n roll icons. Some consider the song to be a farewell to the American dream. British music critic, Alexis Petridis, offered this bit of complexity: "American Pie" is the accessible farewell to the '50s and '60s."

If you say so, Alexis. He also says that the song's chorus, "is so good, it lets you wallow in the confusion and wistfulness of that moment, and be comforted at the same time."

The composer's explanation of his decision to sell the original lyric sheet is less romantic, and, maybe, less confusing. It's practical - downright capitalistic, comrade.

McLean told Rolling Stone, "I'm going to be 70 soon. I have a wife and two children. I want to get the best deal that I can for them. It's time."

All right - bless you, Don. The composer told People Magazine, "there is no poetry and very little romance in anything, anymore, so it is really like the last phase of "America Today." (American music today would really choke him up).

The most important part of the song, an explanation we can all understand, has to do with the death of Buddy Holly and some musical friends - Richie Valens, and J. P. Richardson, known as 'The Big Bopper.' (He was also a deejay).

The Bopper was a victim of fate. Waylon Jennings had given him his seat in the doomed airplane. They were part of a tour called, "Winter Dance Party," and were ready to take off from Clear Lake, IA. Two things worked against them: The weather was bad, and the 'pilot' wasn't certified to fly. Shortly after take-off the plane, named "American Pie" crashed. Everyone on board was killed.

Look at the ages: Holly was 22, Valens only 17.

Thirteen years after that tragedy, McLean wrote his nearly nine minute piece about, "the day the music died."

As a baby of the swing era, I can't help thinking about the day swing music nearly died with the death of Glenn Miller, whose plane also took off in bad weather.

McLean admitted that he purposely penned complex lyrics that were open to individual interpretation. He noted that the song was, "an indescribable photograph of America that I tried to capture in words and music. I wanted to make a whole series of complex statements. The lyrics had to do with the state of society at the time."

To budding songwriters, he offered this advice: "I would say (to them) to immerse yourself in beautiful music and beautiful lyrics and think about every word you say in song." (Today??).

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Gettin' personal, I have something I consider even more valuable: a personally autographed copy of "Memphis Blues," handed to me by hand - W. C. Handy, that is. The 'Father Of the Blues' is most famed for the most popular blues song - "St. Louis Blues." Background: My father had a one man printing press business (he called it 'Active Press' so the name would be first in that category). He printed those blank sheets used by songwriters for their words and music and, when I was out of school, I was his 14-15-year old delivery boy. Mr. Handy was one of his customers. After delivering the wares, I stayed around and talked to him. I remember him as an affable, white-haired gentleman.

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Here is someone you never heard of, yet it's estimated that he recorded about 200 songs. His biggest hit, released in 1941, was "Death's Black Train Is Coming." In it, he calls down the spirit of A. Hitler, consigning him to HELL!

In those days it would have been referred to as 'a response song' - voices following his verses.

The Rev. J. M. Gates worked out of Atlanta. He 'sermonized,' something he began in 1926. He was big on 'hell' and 'damnation', often calling for punishment for sinners. By the time the dictator came onto the scene, the good reverend had him in his sights. (Ironically, sort-of -- at the same time there were some Americans rallying in behalf of der feuhrer).

In "Death's Train Is Coming," Hitler is scheduled for permanence in hell.

Gates had a large following. Depending on the source, he died in 1941, 1942 or 1946. The funeral in his home town attracted several thousand mourners. He had preached in Atlanta for three decades. Gates sermonized and sang about gates --- the gates of hell.

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Naturally, I have some 'hell' jokes: 1)A meek gent arrives there and makes himself right at home. One of the residents said, "you act as if you own this place." The meek one says, "I should. I got it often enough from my wife." (Now, guys, you know that doesn't hit home). 2: This is interesting, but you may have to think about it: "Henry dies and goes to hell. Satan gives him a choice of two doors to go through for eternity. Henry smiles as he sees a group of people standing up to their waists in garbage. They seem to be having a good time as they sip their coffee. Henry thanks Satan and goes thru the door. Just as he enters, Satan says, "okay gang - coffee break's over. Everybody on their heads again."

Finally, two quickie thoughts: "Where do people in hell tell each other where to go?" The devil answers the phone: "Hell, yes."

'nuff.