Bodhi-Dharma’s Work Song

by Gord Sellar

Chorus:
I’m a-walkin’ down this road,
Where it goes, nobody knows. (x2)

Verse 1:
One foot and then the other,
the footsteps one by one.
Five thousand miles to go
Before my walkin’s done.

Chorus:
I’m a-walkin’ down this road,
Where it goes, nobody knows. (x2)
I’m a-goin’ to the East,
Always famine, never feast. (x2)

Bridge:
cigarettes and tin cans in the ditch beside the road
old men fishing in the shade
choking on exhaust from trucks that rumble by
turning to the east… following my feet—

(Instrumental Solos)

Bridge:
cigarettes and tin cans in the ditch beside the road
old men fishing in the shade
choking on exhaust from trucks that rumble by
turning to the east… following my feet—

Final chorus:
Sit beneath the bodhi tree,
chewin’ on these leaves of tea. (x2)
Never sleep and always pray,
Swear we’ll all break out one day. (x2)
I’m a-walkin’ down this road,
Where it goes, nobody knows. (x2)


I wrote this song while I was with Dabang Band, but while we ran through it a few times, it never ended up being part of our repertory. I’d still like to turn it into something, but I would need a couple of days with some music software, and a couple of baritone-voiced singers, and some recording gear. Doable, but it’d take time. We’ll see if I ever get to it. If I find the sheet music around, I’ll post a scan of it here…

January 31, 2012

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