Galveston

Today I'm reading the news about Hurricane Rita, hitting the Texas town of Galveston. Fortunately the devestation was no where as bad as in New Orleans when Katrina hit a few weeks ago. Yet this was not the case in the year 1900 when 6000 residents of Galveston perished.

Jim Webb is one of my favorite songwriters. His list of well known songs is endless.

Not many people realize that his song "Galveston" is about a soldier that was caught up in the Spanish American War that occurred from February 1898 to December of the same year. Within just 3 short four line verses and a chorus the feelings of soldiers everywhere are expressed. The fear they have of losing their lives and their yearning to be back home with those that they love.

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowin'
I still see her dark eyes glowin'
She was 21 when I left Galveston

Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing
While I watch the cannons flashing
I clean my gun and dream of Galveston

I still see her standing by the water
Standing there lookin' out to sea
And is she waiting there for me?
On the beach where we used to run

Galveston, oh Galveston, I am so afraid of dying
Before I dry the tears she's crying
Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun
At Galveston, at Galveston

Glen Campbell's voice and the wonderful guitar melody played on a Danelectro 6 string bass, and Webb's arrangement make this one of the memorable songs of all time.