The Monday Blues

I recently found out that a gal I dated years back passed away.  We remained friends long after the break up. We’d catch up on the phone when we could and often send each other text messages.  Our last text exchange was on her birthday in June.

I’ve stated before that the older we get, the more we ponder our mortality.  My friend was only 52 years old.  When friends younger than me start to pass away, I wake up thankful for another day.

Doyle Bramhall wrote a song called “Life By The Drop.” It was recorded by Stevie Ray Vaughn and appeared on his last album “The Sky Is Crying.”. While some think the song was written because Bramhall was jealous of Vaughn’s success, Bramhall ‘s widow says otherwise.  She states that it is about “living life one drop at a time.”

Stevie Ray and Doyle grew up together.  They played music together in Dallas as well.  They remained friends until Stevie’s tragic death.  Bramhall also co-wrote Vaughn’s hits “The House Is Rockin'” and “Tightrope.”

I find myself today living every day as if it was my last.  Living life “one drop at a time.”

I love the vocal on this, but also love the guitar sound.  It’s one of my favorites from SRV.

Life By the Drop

Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was til the end
We played outside in the pouring rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You’re living our dream oh you on top
my mind is aching, ‘ Lord it won’t stop
That’s how it happens living life by the drop

Up and down the road in our worn down shoes
Talking about good things and singing the blues
you went your way and I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

You’re living our dream oh, you on top
my mind is aching, ‘ Lord it won’t stop
That’s how it happens living life by the drop

No wasted time, we’re alive today
Churning up the past, there’s no easier way
Time’s been between us, a means to an end
God it’s good to be here walking together my friend

We’re living our dreams my mind’s stopped aching, ‘
That’s how it happened living life by the drop
That’s how it happened living life by the drop
That’s how it happened living life by the drop