“Now the sun's gone to hell and
The moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die”
Ever since I first heard this song, it came out in 1985 so I would have been 14 going on 15, I have said that I wanted the above lyrics written on my tombstone. I did want it changed slightly so it said everyone instead of every man, though. At that age I thought it made me seem cool and dark to think about things like that, but looking back I realize that it was more likely something I subliminally thought I needed to decide. My grandmother Rhodes used to take me to the cemetery on Father’s Day every summer that I visited her. We went to pay respects to my father, her son, who passed before I was born. When I was older and could make the walk from her house to the cemetery on my own, I would go up by myself sometimes and sit with him and chat. I guess sitting up there surrounded by death and tombstones it would make sense that I would naturally think about those things.
Later though, it was the passing of my brother Shane that changed the way I heard this song. It became about losing the one person who had experienced the same childhood I had. Since Shane was only 2 years younger than me and the other 3 boys were 8, 10 and 12 years younger their experience was different than mine and Shane’s. Shane and I went through some shit together as kids. Those things made it feel like we had gone to battle together and made sure we had a really strong bond as siblings. So, the following lyrics are the ones that make me think specifically about him.
“And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms”
Then my baby brother went off and joined the army and did 3 tours of duty. These lines make me think of him.
“Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battle raged high”
Larry’s Perspective:
I grew up as the middle child - I had an older sister and a younger sister. So multiple whammies - no brother(s); the only boy in the house; a middle forgotten child. But it was during the 80's - I take that as a win!
So it stands to reason that I can only speak to this song in the abstract - situations where I was part of a work team trying to get something done.
I didn't say sports teams because that was not my thing. Again - band / pep band geek (at least it was drums!); drama club; that kind of thing.
Essentially, in all honesty, when I look back on my life there really isn't anything I've done that comes close to the weight this song is conveying.
Shannon has shared in the past specific directions I have regarding this song for her, and it has been a long-standing order/request. So I'm really curious to hear her thoughts tonight...
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?
Ghost of a Chance 