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The Crossroads (Satan took the Greyhound)

from The Ghost Parade by Hemlock Smith

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lyrics

The Crossroads (Satan took the Greyhound)


I believe it was in 1932, or maybe early ’33, it so happened that Satan decided it was time for a little fieldtrip across the country, to keep in touch with the customers, so to speak…
He was dressed in plain, black clothes, legit and all, and he even paid his fare!
So there he was, on the left hand corner in the back of the vehicle, humming quietly, as the Greyhound mowed its way through the sleeping landscape. And, believe it or not, just after Clarksville, Mississippi, a young priest came to be seated right by his side.
After a while, they started chatting and the servant of God inquired whether or not he liked bus rides.

Satan didn’t move and thought about this for some time. Then, he replied, very softly:
“Well, it seems to me that travelling by bus kinda reminds me of life itself, you know. It’s either too short or too long, smelly, uncomfortable, and the price is way too high. And just when you think that you’ve finally made it, it stops in the middle of nowhere and leaves you stoned and quartered. To make matters worse, instead of wolfing down some nice hot breakfast, chances are you’ll be eating dust.”
Hearing this had made the priest so angry that he had to take a deep breath before he could even think about answering. But, right at this moment, tires screeching like a wildcat, the bus came to a halt on a dark and deserted crossroad.

Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…
The Crossroads…

“Oh, sorry about that, my friend” said Satan and quickly grabbed his belongings. “This is my stop and I’ve got a deal that needs closing!”
“You know…” he added with a smile, “a trip like that ain’t so bad when your pockets are full and you know exactly how it’s going to end.”
He then proceeded to leave the vehicle, leaving the priest all baffled and bewildered.
Satan stepped out onto the stony road and, within an instant, had vanished like the morning dew on a summer morn. Here one second, gone the next.

Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…
The Crossroads…

The priest actually didn’t even look up; he was still trying to collect his thoughts, his lips parched dry, the taste in his mouth bitter and stale…
“What on earth did he mean by that?” he mumbled as the Greyhound once again leapt into the night, As it turned left, and just for one second, its headlights brushed past a tall black man slowly approaching the intersection. The big fella put down his cheap guitar, cracked his neck and looked around. Someone was already waiting.

Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…The Crossroads…
Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…The Crossroads…
Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…The Crossroads…
Oh…Oh…The Crossroads…The Crossroads…

credits

from The Ghost Parade, released August 9, 2018
written by Michael Frei, Emilie Roulet and Fred Merk
Michael Frei: Vocals, Piano
Fred Merk: Electric Guitar, Loops
Emilie Roulet: Piano, Vocals
Théo Missillier: Drums, Percussion
Recorded: 16.6.2017 & 11.2.2018

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Hemlock Smith Lausanne, Switzerland

Hemlock Smith come from Lausanne (Switzerland). Since 2002, they’ve released 7 regular albums with intelligent pop, as well as 2 soundtracks for silent film and 2 collaborations with Noise duo Les Poissons Autistes. Fronted by singer-songwriter Michael Frei, Hemlock Smith's distinctive voice is complemented by a talented band seamlessly blending Pop, Folk, Rock and Trip-Hop Sensibilities ... more

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