‘The Final Curtain Call’ by Zoolon
‘I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded in hatred’
Bob Dylan from the song ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’
I was having my hair cut the other day. The barber who comes from a country a long way away asks me if I’m the ‘musician bloke’. I verified that that was possibly me. So, even though he’s got a load of people sat there waiting for a haircut, he goes and gets his flamenco guitar from out the back. He tells me he’s been playing for 15 years or more. He takes a seat. He plays guitar. Sublime music. Made me shiver. He lets me have a go. Flamenco’s not my specialty but I do OK.
Then he tells why he took up the flamenco guitar. Where he came from is a country where the regular people live in fear – I’ll not name him or the country; it doesn’t feel right. Anyway, his older cousin back when was heralded as the ‘best flamenco guitarist in the land’ but the government had censored his kind of music. He got taken away, tortured for weeks on end then shot dead – just for being a musician! All true, by the way – no fiction. The barber took up playing guitar in honour of his cousin and to put up two fingers at the regime that killed him.
The story inspired me to write these words. I’ll have to grow my fingernails seriously long and brush up my flamenco technique if I’m ever going to get a song out of it. It sings more like an audio poem or nearly a rap right now.
FARAWAY FLAMENCO
In faraway places he puts on a show
Picado style, tirando and tremolo
The maestro with his cedarwood guitar
Played flamenco style, in the café tea total bar
They say he was the best musician in all the land
Acclaimed, adored, always played on demand
But suddenly his world went cold and dark
When from the shadows came an oligarch
Got told flamenco ‘violated good taste and decency’
Locked him up, tortured him, sadistically
At first light in a courtyard up against a wall
Shots rang out, he took his final curtain call
It happened then, it’s still happening now
The Crescent Moon fights with an ‘up for it’ Holy Cow
The ghetto’s Star of David never castes any light
One less artist on the stage tonight
His god forsake him when he was most alone
Where his body lies?
In a place unknown
Here’s an example of flamenco guitar from the great Yannick Lebossé.
For streaming and downloads of my albums on Bandcamp;
Apart from Yannick Lebossé & Bob Dylan – Copyright © 2018 Zoolon Audio. All rights reserved. Unauthorised copying, reproduction, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting prohibited.
It all happens , Lord Zoolon. Gave me the chills, this poor guy’s story. So sorry for him.
Lyrics are great.
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Thank you, Lady Yasmin. I still think you ought to be President of the World. These rotten things wouldn’t happen then. ~ George
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No, you would make a better president. You already have experience ruling your country, Lord Zoolon.
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I wouldn’t make a better president. I’m too random. You, Lady Yasmin have the heart to get the job done.
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Random , lol whatever is that. The world needs to be dancing to Lord Zoolon’s tune. You can’t argue with that.
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A sad tale George. What could possibly be wrong with music, I suppose it’s like burning books , the fear that the masses may learn something and rise up against tyranny. Wonderful lyrics, beautiful!
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Thanks for reading, Holly. In some countries – re Google – I discovered it’s the flamenco dance that some devout religious people think is out of order, so I guess killing the music man was just par for the course. Thanks again ~ George
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Ye Gad, not the Flamenco Dance? Well, it’s no wonder then (tic). Love the post George.
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I think in some countries passion for/of anything is a crime. Sad. Odd. Stupid. Shame.
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it Seems loss of control is the big fear. 😊 have a good day.
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It wouldn’t be so bad if those in control promoted a bit of fun.
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😊
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What a tragic story. Your lyrics are perfect.
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Thank you. It certainly is tragic. I’m glad he told me his cousins story, but part of me wishes he hadn’t. Thanks again ~ George
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This made my heart stop. This story and your words will stay with me for a long time. Thank you for sharing this and for following such a moving inspiration.
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Thank you. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was fiction not fact. It would also be a good thing if more people on this dying planet were like you – compassionate and feeling the story told. Thanks again ~ George
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Terrible thing. Tragic and I don’t know if those things will ever stop happening unless people rise up, in mass, and fight back. Great post.
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Thanks. You’re spot on right. All I wonder about is the question, ‘are there enough good people around? The revolution is just a tee-shirt away – I hope. Thanks again ~ George
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Wonderful story
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Thanks for reading.
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pleasure
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Wow.. how sad is that story ..loved the words you wrote about him`
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Thank you. It was a truly sad story. The worst bit is that I have no reason to doubt that it’s all true. I guess that’s another good reason why I prefer animals to humans. Thanks again ~ Zoolon aka George
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me to zoolan. animals have more compassion than humans
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I agree 100% IA, and even if animals don’t/didn’t have the benefit of compassion humans have but rarely use, animals do the stuff animals do. Humans have no excuses. That makes animals OK for me. Thanks again ~ George
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Thanks for sharing this sad and touching story. I love flamenco guitar, and I can play a bit, not as good as the guy in the video you posted. 🙂
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Thanks. I just signed the hedgehog petition. I like hedgehogs. ~ George
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Thanks, George! I saw you posted it on Twitter too. xo
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Thanks for letting me know about the petition. Of course I posted it on Twitter. Hedgehogs are important.
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You have a beautiful heart, George. Sad and outrageous death of the flamenco guitar player. Love the music.
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Thanks. It certainly was outrageous. Death by art. Not good.
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It can be so easy to forget how a thing we love can be twisted by others so they can deem it “illegal.” Powerful song, my friend,to keep the memory of a powerful life burning.
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Great lyrics, George. Sorry for the man. We don’t value our freedom enough.
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You’re right. We moan about the rain and the far from centre ground politicians but at least I don’t get murdered for playing my guitar.
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Yes. But probably many people do.
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You cannot argue with Lady Yasmin.
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True enough, Chris.
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‘I walked ten thousand miles
in the mouth of the internet’
… But always great to read
your creative posts, George.
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‘And I walked ten thousand more!’ Crap joke I know. Thanks for reading, David.
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“My flaming flamenco pleasure” ~ David of the Ghetto
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Wow, that’s some story. Things like that shouldn’t happen but unfortunately, they do. Thank you for the follow!
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Thanks. I hate injustice, so I write my songs about it. One ear listening is a result. Thanks for reading, ~ George
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👍
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Flamenco will always live in the hearts and spirit of the people. Yes, I do believe animals have a lot more wisdom than we do.
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Generally I can pick up a string instrument of any kind and play it. Flamenco guitarists have my total respect.
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Totally enjoyed Rainbows End! TY!!!
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Thanks Resa. Rainbows End was one I enjoyed writing. So glad you liked it ~ George
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Love these Inspirations of yours💪👌😘😁br Paulina
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Thanks again. I never go out looking for a story. They just seem to happen. Odd really. ~ George
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It’s exactly the same with me 😉👌stories happen to me 😉weird isn’t it?!
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Beautiful. Reblogging to sister site “Timeless Wisdoms”
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Thanks for that, Anna. Best wishes ~ Zoolon aka George
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😊
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