Those old country songs aren't sentimental, when sung by old country people who have lived them. They're a witness to reality, and also life as a narrative, not merely a series of feelings. I grew up listening to This Old House, Hobo Bill's Last Ride, and The Wreck of Old 97, in between mostly hymns. Underneath it all, there was bedrock, as you hit on here.
A Bluegrass Wake, at Image Journal.
Those old country songs aren't sentimental, when sung by old country people who have lived them. They're a witness to reality, and also life as a narrative, not merely a series of feelings.
ReplyDeleteI grew up listening to This Old House, Hobo Bill's Last Ride, and The Wreck of Old 97, in between mostly hymns. Underneath it all, there was bedrock, as you hit on here.