kinks

[Michael Eisenstadt]

Harry,

I don't know if you have the time or inclination
but I for one would be interested if you would
write to us explaining what you make of the
lyrics. For example:

> Don’t you let the morning blind ya
> When on your sleeve you wore the yeller star.
> Old memories still live behind ya,
> Can’t you see by your outfit who you are.

The yeller star must refer to the yellow star
jews were made to wear in Nazi occupied
Europe before deportation to extermination
camps. Kinky identifies himself as a candidate
for being singled out for persecution and,
looking at what he himself is wearing (cowboy
outfit? Stetson?) he thinks "that is what I
am" (a Jew/cowboy, presumably). Note also
that the yellow star was worn on the chest,
not on the arm as Kinky seems to think.

I realize it's just a song even if the words
don't make too much sense.

How does this bear on whether he is a flake
or not?

At his Book People appearance, he seemed
intelligent and quite fast on his feet in answering
questions. As I said, he is quite full of himself
(for who is not?) but doesn't have the breeding
to keep it toned down. And he has no political
agenda which I believe has always been
necessary to get elected with.

He is eccentric (same as flake????) but it
is his conscious choice to appear so, it's
part of his chosen persona. He makes a thing
out of wearing a large hat indoors (real classy!)
and smoking a big cigar.Was it lit? I seem to
remember that it was, which was odd considering
that this was at Book People where the customers
are very granola oriented.

Mike

From: "Harry Edwards" <laughingwolf at ev1.net>

> For those who still see the Kinkster as a flake, here's the lyrics of an 
> old song of his:
>
> Ride 'Em Jewboy
>
> Ride, ride ¡®em jewboy,
> Ride ¡®em all around the old corral.
> I’m, I’m with you boy
> If I’ve got to ride six million miles.
>
> Now the smokes from camps are rising
> See the helpless creatures on their way.
> Hey, old pal, ain’t it surprising
> How far you can go before you stay.
>
> Don’t you let the morning blind ya
> When on your sleeve you wore the yeller star.
> Old memories still live behind ya,
> Can’t you see by your outfit who you are.
>
> How long will you be driven relentless ¡®round the world,
> The blood in the rhythm of the soul.
>
> Wild ponies all your dreams were broken,
> Rounded out and made to move along.
> The loneliness which can’t be spoken
> Just swings a rope and rides inside a song.
>
> Dead limbs play with ringless fingers
> A melody which burns you deep inside.
> Oh, how the song becomes the singers,
> May peace be ever with you as you ride.
>
> How long will you be driven relentless around the world,
> The blood in the rhythm of the soul.
>
> In the window candles glowing
> Remind you that today you are a child,
> Road ahead, forever rolling,
> And anything worth cryin’ can be smiled.
>
> So ride, ride ¡®em jewboy,
> Ride ¡®em all around the old corral.
> I’m, I’m with you boy
> If I’ve got to ride six million miles.
>