Day 24 – Total confirmed cases in US: 399,929

“To believe in this living is just a hard way to go…”

Here is just one of those confirmed cases. And one of the other number, the more horrific number: 83,471 deaths. He’s probably shaking God’s hand as you read this. Or maybe he’s kissing that pretty girl on the Tilt-A-Whirl.

I saw John Prine once. July 11, 1982, if the ticket stub is to be believed. On the same bill were Loudon Wainwright III, Leo Kottke, Tom Rush, and Jesse Winchester. Those were in the days that crowds of people were comfortable breathing the same air. The same air that carried such sound waves as John’s voice and guitar.

 
When I get to heaven, I’m gonna shake God’s hand
Thank him for more blessings than one man can stand
Then I’m gonna get a guitar and start a rock-n-roll band
Check into a swell hotel; ain’t the afterlife grand?

And then I’m gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I’m gonna smoke a cigarette that’s nine miles long
I’m gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-a-Whirl
‘Cause this old man is going to town

Then as God as my witness, I’m getting back into show business
I’m gonna open up a nightclub called “The Tree of Forgiveness”
And forgive everybody ever done me any harm
Well, I might even invite a few choice critics, those syphilitic parasitics
Buy ’em a pint of Smithwicks and smother ’em with my charm

‘Cause then I’m gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah I’m gonna smoke a cigarette that’s nine miles long
I’m gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-a-Whirl
Yeah this old man is going to town

Yeah when I get to heaven, I’m gonna take that wristwatch off my arm
What are you gonna do with time after you’ve bought the farm?
And them I’m gonna go find my mom and dad, and good old brother Doug
Well I bet him and cousin Jackie are still cutting up a rug
I wanna see all my mama’s sisters, ’cause that’s where all the love starts
I miss ’em all like crazy, bless their little hearts
And I always will remember these words my daddy said
He said, “Buddy, when you’re dead, you’re a dead pecker-head”
I hope to prove him wrong, that is, when I get to heaven

‘Cause I’m gonna have a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah I’m gonna smoke a cigarette that’s nine miles long
I’m gonna kiss that pretty girl on the Tilt-a-Whirl
Yeah this old man is going to town
Yeah this old man is going to town