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Bessie Delany

from American Bridge by Two Ones

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about

Written by Rick in 1995 after reading a USA Today article about the life and death of Bessie Delany. Resurrected from his songwriting archives for the debut album by Two Ones, "American Bridge."

lyrics

Bessie Delany was 104
One day she said “Don’t want to live anymore”
She died in her sleep
Without so much as a peep
And that’s the way I want to go

That’s the way I want to go
Right on up to heaven with a tag on my toe
Look down on those mourners as they cry o’er my grave
And sing Hallelujah! My soul has been saved

Now Bessie Delany was a hero of mine
Well educated and ahead of her time
She conquered her fears
Throughout all of those years
And that’s the way I want to go

That’s the way I want to go
Right on up to heaven with a tag on my toe
Look down on those mourners as they cry o’er my grave
And sing Hallelujah! My soul has been saved

Now Bessie Delany never married, you see
Why waste all that passion on the birds and the bees
Her message to you, “Do the best you can do”
And that’s the way I want to go

That’s the way I want to go
Right on up to heaven with a tag on my toe
Look down on those mourners as they cry o’er my grave
And sing Hallelujah! My soul has been saved

credits

from American Bridge, released December 29, 2020
Rick Matter: Acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Mike O'Shaughnessy: Electric guitar, bass, lap steel, backing vocals

Recorded at Laissez Faire Studios and Country Dark Studios, Sandy, Oregon

Written by Rick Matter

cp1995/2020 Rick Matter/Two Ones
cp2020 Sleeping Brothers Records

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Sleeping Brothers Records Portland, Oregon

Semi-fictional netlabel reissuing homemade albums from the catalog of Long Island's 90s tape label Big Casserole Records as well as releasing new music from same old guys & gals. Check out the hiss! NY/OR/CA.

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