MY WRITERS SITE: The Midnight Special

The Midnight Special

Lead belly

The song “Midnight Special” is about a steam locomotive that used to pass the Louisiana State Prison and its light would shine into the cells. Prisoners developed a superstition that having the light shine on you would bring fortune and freedom.

Well, you wake up in the mornin', you hear the work bell ring

And they march you to the table, you see the same old thing

Ain't no food upon the table, and no pork up in the pan

But you better not complain, boy, you get in trouble with the man

Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me

Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me

Yonder come miss Rosie, how in the world did you know?

By the way she wears her apron, and the clothes she wore

Umbrella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand

She come to see the governor, she want to free her man

Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me

Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me

If you're ever in Houston, well, you better do the right

You better not gamble, there, you better not fight, at all

Or the sheriff will grab ya and the boys will bring you down

The next thing you know, boy, oh, you're prison bound

Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me

Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me

Let the Midnight Special shine a light on me

Let the Midnight Special shine a ever lovin' light on me

To my friends....

A referral point for my friends (personnel friends, meaning people I know in my personnel life) who want me to “Take a look at my stuff.” For years I’ve said sure, I’ll look at it, meaning edit it. But I have always forewarned them that I take the processes seriously and I won’t pull any punches and not to get angry with me. They always, always, always assure me that they want to a professional edit and that I shouldn’t pull any punches just because we’re friends. Then I edit their work and they get angry at me. So here’s what we’re going to do. If you want me to give my opinion on your writing or edit your work, the charge is $50.00 an hour with a four hour minimum. That should stop most of you from asking me to look at your work and while preserving our friendship.

Why this blog is here.

I am largely self-educated, and this blog is continuation of that education. I have an MFA, but that doesn’t have much to do with an education, not the kind I’m talking about. An advanced degree means I am able to follow instruction.

Never ending self-education means I adore knowledge and enlightenment of both the ordinary and the odd and that’s what this blog is about. It is by me, written for my benefit. You are more than welcomed to drop by as often and for as long as your heart desires.

John William Tuohy

I was born and raised in Connecticut and now live in rural West Virginia with my wife, Mary, and my dog Eli.

I hold an AA and MA in literature and an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University. I spent most of my career as a political consultant and hated every living second of it.

I am produced and award-winning playwright. (Cyberdate, The Hannigans of Beverly, etc.)

I am the author of 12 books on traditional organized crime, an autobiography (No Time to Say Goodbye) two books of short stories (Short Stories from a Small Town, Washington Behind the Monuments) a novella (Imago Summer, 1971) and several books on Connecticut history. I proud to be the historian of Ansonia Connecticut. I sit on the board of Mt. St. John's School.

I occasionally and reluctantly work as an editor but only when I need money to travel.

I am an accomplished amateur photographer, a frustrated painter and not a half-bad gardener and I cook. I collect coins, stamps and political memorabilia. I love film so much that I built a large theater in my home. (I also wrote "On the Waterfront: the Making of a Great Amercian film")

Welcome

The Midnight Special