Life by the Drop

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

You're livin' our dream, wo you on top
My mind is achin', Lord it won't stop
That's how it happens livin' life by the drop

Up and down that road in our worn out shoes
Talkin' `bout good thangs, singin' the blues
You went your way, I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter of time

Refrain

No wasted time, we're alive today
Churnin' up th' past, there's no easier way
Time's between us, a means to an end
God it's good to be here walkin' together my friend

We're livin' our dreams
My mind stopped achin'
That's how it happens livin' life by th' drop

Lyrics by D. Bramhall and B. Logan
Sung by Stevie Ray Vaughan
********************************

"Life by the Drop"  This tune was posthumously published by Stevie's 
brother Jimmie.  The impact of this simple, almost biographical, song
(just Stevie and an acoustic guitar) lies in the fact that having 
recently "picked up the pieces" to his life, Stevie was killed in a 
tragic airplane accident.  Students seem to relate to this simple and 
powerful poetry matched with the guitar, and are especially sensitive 
to the change in the final refrain.

With about three or four days' warning, I have the kids bring in their 
favorite songs, with lyrics if possible.  I have them present their song 
to the class and tell them the following:
Group
Album
Song Title
What it's about or what it means to them.
Why it is so powerful in their opinion.

I've gotten everything from Country & Western to Headbanger music.  Either 
way, it's a lot of fun.