He'd come to town with his old wool hat pulled down,
Surrounded by the dogs that were his friends,
At times, too drunk to stand, he'd shake familiar hands,
And sit around the ESSO station 'til his loneliness would end.

And all through the night a faded yellow light,
Would burn inside the room where he would stand,
And play the old Victrola and drink his rusty wine,
And conduct the Mozart music with his hard and shaking hand. (Phil Brown by David Mallett)


Just a ragged old man, and his ragged old dog,
A ragged old life, in a ragged old world. (Utah Phillips)

Now I know I will not find you, you're gone from all but memory,
For I am told that one who loves you, has strewn your ashes on the sea. (Ashes on the sea, Utah Phillips.)

Utah told me that the first time he heard me sing his song, he had to pull over and weep. He was unable to see to drive. I will always treasure that memory.