Back by popular demand, it's the song of the month. Well okay, it used to be the song of the week, but a) no one checks my page that often and b) I'm too damned lazy/busy to come up with a new song every week.

I've always maintained that people who bow down to the altar of the Toni Morrisons of the world (high school English teachers) are missing the real poetry of the post-nuclear-modernist-whateverthehellyouwanttocallit era. I have to think that reflecting back on history from 50 years in the future, people will more readily be moved by the words of a John Lennon or Elton John work then by even the likes of Alan Ginsburg. Hop on the wagon while you still can.

My song for July is one that, at least in my own experiences, is relatively obscure. It's a shame too because it's such a touching song.

The first time I ever heard it was actually on the BBC when someone was covering it. I have always had a soft spot for some of the folk-style music that was popular in the 70s- John Denver, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Mamas and the Papas, Jim Croce and the like. This artist, Harry Chapin, was also a great folk singer. He's probably best known for Cats in the Cradle, but this one strikes me as being just as poignant as his other classics.

The song is W*O*L*D, and it's about a middle-aged disc jockey who comes back to the wife and children he walked out on and begs her forgiveness as he realizes where life has led him.

W*O*L*D

Harry Chapin

Hello Honey, it's me

What did you think when you heard me back on the radio?

What did the kids say when they knew it was their long lost daddy-o?

Remember how we listened to the radio

And I said `That's the place for me'

And how I got the job as an FM Jock the day you married me?

We were two kids and I was into AM rock,

But I just had to run around.

It's been eight years since I left you babe,

Let me tell you 'bout what's gone down.

I am the morning DJ on W*O*L*D

Playing all the hits for you, wherever you may be.

The bright good-morning voice who's heard but never seen.

Feeling all of forty-five going on fifteen.

The drinking I did on my last big gig made my voice go low.

They said that they liked the younger sound when they let me go.

So I drifted on down to Tulsa, Oklahoma to do me a late night talk show.

Now I worked my way back home again, via Boise, Idhao,

That's how this business goes.

I am the morning DJ on W*O*L*D

Playing all the hits for you, wherever you may be.

The bright good-morning voice who's heard but never seen.

Feeling all of forty-five going on fifteen.

I've been making extra money playing high school sock hops,

I'm a big time guest MC.

You should hear me talking to the little children,

And listen what they say to me.

Got a spot on the top of my head, begging for a new toupee.

And a tire on my gut from sitting on my

But they're never gonna go away.

Sometimes I get this crazy dream

That I'll just drive off in my car,

But you can travel on ten thousand miles and still say where you are.

I've been thinking that I should quit disk jockeying

And start that record store

Maybe I could settle down if you'd take me back once more?

OK Honey, I see.

I guess he's better than me

Sure, Old Girl, I understand

You don't have to worry, I'm such a happy man

W*O*L*D, W*O*L*D, W*O*L, W*O*L, W*O*L*D*D*D

I am the morning DJ on K*H*J

Playing all the hits for you

Playing them night and day

The bright good morning voice who's heard but never seen

Feeling all of forty-five, going on fifteen

I am the morning DJ on W*O*L*D

Their site has a petition you can sign to show support for their efforts. I would appreciate it if you would stop by there and fill it out really quickly. Thanks.