Lyrics

The Ballad of Michael Dorf

to ``The Ballad of Curtis Loew'' by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Well I used to read the law blogs ‘fore Manhattan stirred Hoping for some novel insight that purpovists prefer Memorize every new post, ride uptown on my bike Rush my way up to the seventh floor to pay respects to Mike Michael Dorf was a bright man, a torso way too long When he ran the point for Dean’s Cup his teammates sometimes yawned He always told the same bad jokes, took another swig of coffee I’d ask him about due process, and he’d just blink at me. Write me a brief Michael Dorf, Michael Dorf Well you help so many causes, who needs your efforts more People said he was snarky, man had himself some views ‘Cause Michael Dorf was the finest teacher Columbia chose to lose His exam was a day long and it messed with your head Made you think up was down and wish that you were dead (He was) available all the time for panels or these shows ‘Tween Sherry and him we had two folks whose reputations glowed Be in our show Michael Dorf, rap and dance Go slide headfirst into Bluebooks and down a hallway prance People said he was goofy, we're glad that it was true `Cause Michael Dorf was the finest showman Columbia chose to lose Yessir On the day we heard the news our finals kept us quiet No protests or petitions there should've been a riot If our school wants to double its profs to get back on the map Letting our best and brightest stars walk out the door is crap We'll miss you both, Michael Dorf and Sherry Colb We hope that Cornell brings you the hopes so dear you hold But people know something's wrong here; Columbia, we see through the spin ‘Cause losing Dorf and Colb's a screw-up that never should have been

Well I used to wake the morning before the rooster crowed Searching for soda bottles to get myself some dough Brought 'em down to the corner, down to the country store Cash em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care He used to own an old dobro, used to play it across his knee I'd give old Curt my money, he'd play all day for me Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew I got your drinking money, tune up your dobro People said he was useless, them people are the fools 'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues He looked to be sixty, and maybe I was ten Mama used to whip me but Id go see him again Id clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time He'd play me a song or two, then take another drink of wine. Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew I got your drinking money, tune up your dobro People said he was useless, them people are the fools 'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues Yes sir On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray Ol' preacher said some words, and they chunked him in the clay But he lived a lifetime playin' the black man's blues And on the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose Play me a song Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew I wish that you was here so everyone would know People said he was useless, them people all are fools 'Cause Curtis, you're the finest picker to ever play the blues

Original lyrics copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.