Comments: Laura - 2004-09-21 00:27:24 I still like the bitter "Burning Down Ypsilanti" best. Eric, may I ask--any progress in setting those lyrics to music? I'm dying to hear a performance of that song. * * * * * * * * * * * * lynne - 2004-09-21 07:47:21 This one seems like it should be a country song or something. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-21 08:55:42 It does...he comes 'round to the Ark once in awhile. * * * * * * * * * * * * eric - 2004-09-21 09:04:19 howdy laura i contacted 1 person about writing the music for the song,they are in rehersal at the moment.i have other options however... i have worked on it a bit,added a few simple words to even out the meter of it .. read your post about "the orphan train" it was an incredible play ! i was almost getting teary when i saw it - very moving.... this site is way cool ! be well * * * * * * * * * * * * Remainder of the lyrics - 2004-09-21 09:04:31 CHORUS: And the cars keep a rolling And my days are quickly gone As my nights turn into morning Take me back where I belong I went from town to town until my pocketbook was empty When I pulled into Michigan my pride was wearing thin I remembered my old Uncle Frank who lived in Ypsilanti I went knocking at his door and he kindly took me in I asked him if he knew of any work I might be gettin' He said he'd ask around awhile and see what could be done And when he took me down I was as nervous as a kitten My first day on the job at a place called Willow Run. They put me on the second shift at good ole "Generous Motors" They trained me for one hour, then I was on my own They stuck me on the rivet gun and when the shift was over My ears were hot and ringin' and my hands were cold and numb I went out after work with the boys to do some drinking They said I'd be a shop rat before the week was through I didn't tell them boys just what all that I was thinking I thought I'd rather hang myself than live the way they do. I told myself I'd work a while and make a pile of money Then fix up my jalopy and I'd be on my way But twenty years have come and gone and you might think it's funny But every night I go to sleep a-dreaming of that day. I'm stepping on the throttle, but I'm still losing power My paychecks come and go just like the chassis on the line The hookers on the street sell their bodies by the hour And I know they love their job about as well as I like mine Now the boys down in Detroit have been sharpening their axes They say the cars we're making they just don't know how to sell So they're shutting down old Willow Run and moving down to Texas Well adios amigos, kiss my ass and go to hell Leaving Ypsilanti, but I'm not sentimental Got just one more thing to do before I shut my mouth Sell the place up north and buy a Lincoln Continental Just another General Motors rivethead a-goin south * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-21 09:17:55 Wow, a lot of people saw what sounds like an excellent play! It's on my list if it comes around again. Your kind comment makes my morning brighter--thank you eric. any coolness to be unearthed on ypsidixit is due only to the combined effort of kind readers and their incredible range of backgrounds, areas of expertise, and experiences. I am glad to hear that "Burning Down Ypsilanti" is still on the stove...can't wait to hear it! * * * * * * * * * * * * Vince Prygoski - 2004-09-24 14:34:27 "Rivethead" is also the title of a book by Ben Hamper, a Flint native and friend of Michael Moore. The book covers much of the same ground as the song regarding the often bitter realities of blue collar factory work. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-24 14:45:02 Aha--that's it--I *knew* I'd heard that somewhere, but couldn't remember. Sounds good to me--it's on my library list; thank you Vince. * * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: your name: your email: your url: back to the entry - Diaryland