This morning I was listening to “Brand New 64 Dodge” by Greg Brown which always gets me thinking about being a father. You see, this song is about Greg’s childhood memories of his dad. Realizing that I too am creating my own son’s childhood one moment at a time, I asked myself:
How will this moment give him strength at times when most people fold? How will this moment help him know how to love the unloved? How will this moment will make him feel secure within himself when he’s all alone?
Money comes out of Dad’s billfold. Hankies come out of Mom’s purse.
The engine hardly makes a sound even when you put it in reverse.
It’s got a push-button transmission,hardtop convertible, 4-door.
It’s November of ’63 and the brand new Dodge is a ’64.
And we’re rolling slow down Main Street – the asphalt and gravel crunch.
Church is finally over and we’re going to have our Sunday lunch.
And then I will play football with my buddies down in park.
Later I’ll dream about my girlfriend as I lie alone in the dark.
She’s got short red hair and blue eyes and her swimsuit’s also blue and her little brother is retarded, but Jesus loves him, too.
And Jesus loves our president, even though he is a Catholic.
There’s a lot for a boy to think about as he walks along the railroad tracks.
And my sister won’t get carsick
‘Cause we’re going only half a mile
And the car still has that new car smell
And dad looks like he might smile
And the world is big and full of Autumn
And I’m hungry as can be
And we’re in our brand new ’64 Dodge November of ’63
Here’s a version of “Brand New 64 Dodge” I found performed by Peter Mulvey and Drew Nelson
