Philo Beddoe
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Dolly Parton has a song called “Evening Shade” that tells the story of an orphanage where the children, abused and mistreated by the headmistress, Mrs. Bailey, decide to burn the place down, killing her in the process. Dolly Parton herself mentioned that radio stations refused to play “Evening Shade” due to its controversial topic, considering it “vulgar”.
I wouldn’t consider this a “song of the resistance”, but it’s definitely rebellious against unchecked authority.
[Verse 1]
My train of thought was broken by a sudden burst of laughter
Something badly needed to lighten up the chores
Seemed old Mrs. Bailey had accidentally fell
In the water being used to scrub the floors
Now Mrs. Bailey was the meanest matron at the home
She believed in lots of work with little play
And we laughed ’til we bent double
Though we knew we’d get in trouble
But trouble’s all we had at Evening Shade[Verse 2]
Now Evening Shade was where they claim to teach you understanding
To teach you love and keep you off the streets
And all the kids that live here are said to be a problem
Juvenile delinquents, so to speak
But understanding isn’t learned from punishment and anger
An iron hand has no gentle touch and love ain’t learned from hate
The reason we were there is cause we had no one who cared
But they cared even less at Evening Shade[Verse 3]
Little Susan Bradley, one night had wet her bed
Mrs. Bailey took the razor strap and beat her half to death
And I knew that something must be done to put an end to this
And so I started talking plans with the older kids
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[Verse 4]
Plans were that Joe Johnson would steal the kerosene
And I would get some matches when nobody seen
Becky Adams would make sure the kids were all outside
Billy Watson would look out for the evil eye[Verse 5]
Now Mrs. Bailey took a nap at three o’clock each day
We knew that she’d be a-sleeping as the plans got underway
Now that it’s all over and the sun is going down
There’s no Evening Shade because we burned it to the ground
Evening Shade was burning just like the hell it wasI have often though about running a local country music radio station that plays all of the old rebellious country music that no station will touch now a days. I’d call it Rebel Country.
I’ll start with this one:
One of my all time #1 songs is War Pigs by Black Sabbath!
The unofficial music video is outstanding.