Here at MusicTAP, I find myself deeply affected by the news that Levon Helm (of The Band fame) is in the final stages of throat cancer. As his daughter writes on his official site, “Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.”
I’m no fan of the shortness of life. In fact, I bitch loudly about it to anyone that will entertain me. But it becomes even more ominous when the people that you have grown to love begin to pass from this life that we know. The Band has provided a stage of wonderful music and entertaining shows especially the beautiful The Last Waltz. It was sad enough to have Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko leave us in more tragic ways. It is equally sad to hear that Levon Helm is nearing the end of a decades long battle that will leave an equally massive void in the universe.
Unfortunately, many of us music fans can see the rent in the universe. We can feel the loss. And we sadden most.
Levon, all of us in the TAP community are pulling for a miraculous recovery for you. It’s all we can do.
We also want you to know how much we love you!
“Everybody listen to me
And return me my ship
I’m your Captain, I’m your Captain
Though I’m feeling mighty sick
I’ve been lost now days uncounted
And it’s months since I’ve seen home
Can you hear me, can you hear me
Or am I all alone
If you return me to my home port
I will kiss you, mother Earth
Take me back now, take me back now
To the port of my birth
Am I in my cabin dreaming
Or are you really scheming
To take my ship away from me
You’d better think about it
I just can’t live without it
So please don’t take my ship from me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I can feel the hand of a stranger
And it’s tightening ’round my throat
Heaven help me, Heaven help me
Take this stranger from my boat
I’m your Captain, I’m your Captain
Though I’m feeling mighty sick
Everybody listen to me
And return me my ship
I’m your Captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I’m getting closer to my home”
-I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)”
Grand Funk Railroad