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Tim Ryerson's Blog

About Tim Ryerson
(Show Details...)
Bloggers PhotoRetired from the printing business in 2011...now happily living in Ponchatoula, LA close to my wonderful (and enormous) family. The bio picture is me holding one of my six great-grandchildren...I spoil all of them rotten because that's my job.
My goal is to write a halfway decent poem sometime...My favorite poets are Robert Frost and Edward Arlington Robinson

 

Most Recent Blog Post


An Underrated Poet
Blog Posted:3/20/2013 11:26:00 PM

 

Not many people realize that Hank Williams was much more than just a red-neck, honky-tonk country singer. He was also a superb poet…Example:

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry: Written and Sung By Hank Williams

Hear the lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I’m so lonesome I could cry

I’ve never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die
That means he's lost the will to live
I’m so lonesome I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome I could cry

In my opinion, the last two verses are some of the finest poetry I have ever read, old or new…
How about y'all?...What do you think of these lyrics? And if you feel so inclined, tell me about your favorite song lyric or lyrics or song writer, etc...Thanks!

Just couldn't resist adding this lyric by the late, great Waylon Jennings...This song was responsible for launching the 'Outlaw country' revolution in the early 80's (Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Hank Williams Jr. and Jerry Jeff Walker to name a few)...It mocks the Nashville establishment and calls for a change...Many people mistakenly credit Hank Jr for writing this song, although he did do his own version, which was actually a bigger hit than Waylon's origional..

I Don't Think Hank Done it This A'way: Written and sung by Waylon Jennings

Lawd-it's-the-same damn tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and big shiny cars
It's been the same way for years
We need to change...

Somebody told me when I-first-came-to Nashville
Son you fin'ly got-it-made
Old Hank made it here (and-we're-all-sure-that-you-will)
But-I-don't-think-Hank done it this a'way
No-I-don't-think-Hank done it this a'way

Ten years down the road doin' one night stands
Speeding my young life away
Tell me one more time just so's I'll understand
Are you sure Hank done it this a'way
Did-old-Hank really do it this a'way?

I've seen the world with a five piece band
Lookin' at the back side of me
Singing my songs (and one-a'-his now and then)
But-I-don't-think-Hank done 'em this a'way
No-I-don't-think-Hank done 'em this a'way

Take it home...

***Wylon's guitar licks starting the song, in between each verse and at the ending fade-out are hypnotic and stunning...he purposely uses only one chord with awesome results (Hyphens are used to help demonstrate how the song was sung)


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  1. Date: 4/3/2013 4:16:00 PM
    I'm going to see Kris Kristofferson in two weeks. The outlaws have had their share of hits. Slow Movin Outlaw is one of my favorites of Waylon's. Kristofferson was quite a poet with Me and Bobbie McGee, Why Me Lord, Jody and the Kid, Sunday Morning Coming Down, but Hank Sr. started it all, bringing country music to the nation.

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  1. Date: 4/1/2013 7:19:00 PM
    Awesome write and awesome opinion. I felt the lyrics

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 9:01:00 PM
    I dont know this singer but I really like the lyrics. Indeed, the last two verses are awesome.

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 5:27:00 PM
    Another thought...There was a contest awhile ago. A Hank Williams tribute. You had to pick a song of his and write a poem about it. I picked "I'm so lonesome I could cry"...You might want to go and look up the contest...There were some really good ones...Linda

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    Rutherford Avatar Linda Rutherford Date: 3/21/2013 5:32:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    Oh my...just went and looked...that contest was in 2009...kind of forgot how long ago it was...lol...Oh well...Linda
  1. Date: 3/21/2013 4:22:00 PM
    Tim, yah love Hank...

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 2:30:00 PM
    oh, and who can forget simon and garfunkel? and even Johnny Cash! didn't he have a few poetic type songs he wrote?(maybe ones like a Boy Named Sue were written by other people FOR him to sing!)

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 2:28:00 PM
    there are some music singers/writers that I really love but right now their names are not coming to my memory. A few were Gordon Lightfoot, Don Mclean, Cat Stevens, Beatles of course, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Neil Diamond, and many others.

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    Wilson Avatar Deb Wilson Date: 3/22/2013 9:11:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    you mentioned all the ones I was thinking of Andrea..so great all of them..now one of my new favorite singer/songwriters is Adele...
  1. Date: 3/21/2013 2:27:00 PM
    Yes, I think a lot of artists in pop music as well as country are also poets!! I wish I knew a really good friend that lived near me who could "hear" notes and compose music to go with my lyrical poetry. Can you imagine teaming up with a musical person and writing songs together. What a dream that would be!!(especially if they got heard by the whole world!!)

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 1:59:00 PM
    So true, Tim! I LOVE the first verse of this song. What a talent to have - writing poetry and music and somehow making them work together. I see Rick already mentioned them below, but I would also add Leonard Cohen and Gordon Lightfoot to your list :)

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 11:54:00 AM
    I also love Hank. But I think my favorite is Marty Robbins. His El Paso and Big Iron are two of my favorites. As you can tell...I'm a big fan of gunfighter songs. lol Linda

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    Ryerson Avatar Tim Ryerson Date: 3/21/2013 12:06:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    Wow Linda, what a coincidence!...While reading your comment it just so happened I was listening to 'Don't Worry' (about me) By Marty...listening again right now...
  1. Date: 3/21/2013 9:44:00 AM
    Well said Tim, poetry is every where if we would but look. Your point confirms that all poetry needs to be read (perhaps sung) aloud. Rgds Brian

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 8:45:00 AM
    Indeed.......song writers are poets in every sense of the word. Quite often I'll read a poem here on the soup, and can imagine it set to beautiful music.....some of our contests with that in mind have inspired great song lyrics by our Soupers. Hard to beat Lennon/McCartney as writers....and as Craig mentioned Paul Simon......Jim Croce' comes to mind...some of my fav lyrics were his .........there are amazing song writers......poets in every sense of the word

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 8:40:00 AM
    I agree Tim, these songs are so beautiful, and when you stop and read the lyrics, you realize just how poetic they are. Thanks for sharing this.

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 8:20:00 AM
    Right Tim, and so many lyrics written by, frequently, very young writers not yet inhibited by sophistication. One of my favorites was Paul Simon who wrote many, but lyricists stayed more simple because the key usually to top songs has been the beat and melody with the lyrics, except for hooks here and there, playing second fiddle. That being said, these are very well done and I didn't realize Hank wrote them---personally, I like the BJ Thomas cover on this song circa 1965.

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 8:16:00 AM
    Lovely Tim..tmks for sharing

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 6:21:00 AM
    Tim you are right, this poem is a gem for sure. That last two stanza's are stunning and very deep as deep as it gets. Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes the best of poem (songs)don't get the recognition they deserve for some odd reason. Have a great day. Hugs and luv, Gail

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  1. Date: 3/21/2013 6:02:00 AM
    Tim you are so right. I agree that Bob and Joni are supurb and we Canuck have Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and Stomping Tom Connors who recently passed away and wrote over 300 songs about Canada and it's people. So many out there (Lennon/McCartney ). Have a great day! Rick

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  1. Date: 3/20/2013 11:35:00 PM
    I also think that Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell are master poets who simply put their poetry to music...

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My Past Blog Posts

 
Well, Here I Go Again - Your Favorite Poem or Poems
Date Posted: 5/19/2013 11:20:00 AM
More Good Lyrics (Funny Ones)
Date Posted: 5/10/2013 8:01:00 AM
WOW
Date Posted: 4/15/2013 6:22:00 AM
UNDERRATED POETS - PART II
Date Posted: 4/10/2013 2:20:00 PM
An Underrated Poet
Date Posted: 3/20/2013 11:26:00 PM
Who is Your Favorite Poet, Poets, Poem or Poems?
Date Posted: 3/5/2013 6:14:00 AM
What's Your Favorite Music?
Date Posted: 2/26/2013 5:17:00 PM
The Soldier Who Saw Everything Twice
Date Posted: 1/30/2013 5:17:00 PM
Lay Back The Darkness
Date Posted: 1/4/2013 6:45:00 PM
My Favorite Movies - Favorite Movie Scenes
Date Posted: 11/17/2012 6:40:00 AM
My Favorite Movies - What about you?
Date Posted: 10/10/2012 6:19:00 AM
Isaac Update
Date Posted: 9/3/2012 5:38:00 PM
A Grim Anniversary
Date Posted: 8/28/2012 5:05:00 PM
Hello Again!
Date Posted: 6/30/2012 9:11:00 AM
Out on a limb...hope it don't break! (Limerick)
Date Posted: 1/17/2010 12:29:00 PM
Testing
Date Posted: 1/17/2010 8:44:00 AM
Posting a Picture
Date Posted: 11/24/2009 6:35:00 AM

My Poems

12345678
Date PostedPoem TitleFormCategories
5/22/2013Read 'Um Like a BookTetractyslife,
5/22/2013Hank's PentameterSenryumusic,
5/18/2013Commercial Slam - Part IILight Poetryfunny,how i feel,
5/16/2013The Day I Saw the Earth MoveChokanature,
5/15/2013Tale of the TigerTankasports,
5/15/2013How ISenryuhate,love,lust,
5/13/2013Different Strokes for Different FolksFree verse (vers libre)racism,
5/13/2013All Kinds of AbuseList relationship,
5/11/2013No TomorrowFree verse (vers libre)life,philosophy,
5/10/2013More Good Lyrics - See BlogLyricmusic,
5/9/2013Never MeantSenryulove,lust,
5/8/2013Anything and Everything: My Heart DesiresFree verse (vers libre)life,
5/8/2013JonahMonorhymelife,religious,
5/7/2013Somewhat Repetitive Fickle Foolish FootlesFootlefunny,giggle,life,
5/6/2013Sweet Silver BlueKyriellelost love,
4/14/2013Ego ElevatorLimerickfunny,girl,
4/14/2013First StirringsChokagirl,passion,
4/14/2013On Troubled ShoresHaikunature,
4/12/2013The Box by the BedFree verse (vers libre)grief,loss,
4/12/2013Wild HairLight Poetrynostalgia,
4/11/2013Sight, Scent and SoundHaikunature,
4/11/2013Coming Out of the CageLight Poetryanimal,funny,
4/10/2013Comfortable SilenceSenryulife,love,
4/9/2013Where the Wind BlowsNarrativenatural disasters,nature,
4/8/2013Even MORE Somewhat Twisted Thoughts of the DayLight Poetryfunny,me,day,horse,love,m
12345678

My Photos


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Fav Poems

Poem TitleFormCategories
The Sowing Free verse (vers libre)devotion
A "Brush" with HorrorLimerickfunny
The Ice EnchantressBlank versefantasy,sea,seasons
Kiss MeLight Poetrypassion
DearestRhymedevotion,faith,mother,upl
He's Their Grandpa Free verse (vers libre)dedication,husband,
Causalities of WarElegydeath,war
Christmas Miracle in the Ghetto (Co-written with John Moses Freeman)Narrativefamily,holiday,hope,uplif
Immortality Free verse (vers libre)dedicationheart,music,hea
A Boston Tea Party PreludeFree verse (vers libre)lost lovehusband,husband,
Alliums Cloud My HeartLanterneintrospection
I want your SEEDSFree verse (vers libre)adventure,funny,old,old,
Sleeves of the SoulFree verse (vers libre)depression,imagination,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
Carrie Richards United States Flag United States Read
MoonBee Canady United States Flag United States Read
Andrea Dietrich United States Flag United States Read
Brian Strand United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Poet Destroyer A United States Flag United States Read
Jayne Eggins Australia Flag Australia Read