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Alice's Restaurant

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving, Despite the turkey meal, If I missed Arlo Guthrie’s song, My husband at the wheel. For every year, Thanksgiving Day, As it approaches noon, We find the FM station That’s all set to play that tune. It’s part of our tradition As we take our turkey jaunt To join with Arlo as he sings About that restaurant. The words are mostly spoken And it’s twenty minutes long, But it’s a way to join my past And present, with a song. For flashing to the 60’s In the way that that song does, Reminds me of those days gone by And life the way it was. If someone said one day I’d sing With my kids ‘bout the draft, It would have sounded crazy And I’m sure I would have laughed. On Turkey Day, we did just that, Our voices at full blast; And I thank Arlo Guthrie For that linkage to my past. (for Paula Swanson's "Traditions" contest)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




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Date: 4/9/2013 3:39:00 PM
Back when records would scratch and skip. That song was long and quite a trip. He gave us joy each time we listened. That trip to the dump seemed to some how glisten.
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Date: 12/28/2011 8:05:00 PM
I remember that song. It was hardly ever played on AM radio because the album version is about 23 minutes long. Good write and congratulations on winning in the contest with it.
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Date: 12/20/2011 6:56:00 PM
Congratulations on your win in the contest, Ilene! Merry Christmas to you! Love, Annalise
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Date: 12/20/2011 5:24:00 PM
Ilene, you look to young to be a child of the 60's (which I am!) I have this album along with my 800 other albums and singles. I have only heard some of this song. Never listened to the whole 20 min. version. Arlo's voice sounds unique, like his amazing father, woody. Good poem and good win!
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Date: 12/19/2011 2:04:00 PM
Lovely and interesting tradition. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
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Date: 12/19/2011 1:27:00 PM
Congratulations on your win in Paula's "Traditions" contest Ilene. Love, Carol
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Date: 12/5/2011 6:37:00 PM
Including Alice....
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Book: Shattered Sighs