I stumbled across an article online about the man who inspired Joni Mitchell’s song ‘Carey’. I haven’t heard that song in years but oh how I used to love it! It’s so exotic and carefree and just a fabulous tune.
So of course I had to listen to it again. And it is just as wonderful and fresh as ever.
Provided to YouTube by Rhino Carey · Joni Mitchell Blue ℗ 1971 Warner Records Inc. Unknown: Henry Lewy Guitar, Vocals: Joni Mitchell Producer: Joni Mitchell Drums: Russ Kunkel Guitar: Stephen Stills Bass Guitar: Stephen Stills Writer: Joni Mitchell
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldn’t sleep
Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here Carey
But it’s really not my home
My fingernails are filthy, I got beach tar on my feet
And I miss my clean white linen and my fancy French cologne
Oh Carey get out your cane
And I’ll put on some silver
Oh you’re a mean old Daddy
But I like you fine
Come on down to the Mermaid Café and I will
Buy you a bottle of wine
And we’ll laugh and toast to nothing and smash our empty glasses down
Let’s have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Let’s have another round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town
Come on Carey get out your cane
I’ll put on some silver
Oh you’re a mean old Daddy
But I like you
Maybe I’ll go to Amsterdam
Maybe I’ll go to Rome
And rent me a grand piano
And put some flowers ’round my room
But let’s not talk about fare-thee-wells now
The night is a starry dome
And they’re playin’ that scratchy rock and roll
Beneath the Matala Moon
Come on Carey get out your cane
I’ll put on some silver
We’ll go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldn’t sleep
Oh you know it sure is hard to leave here
But it’s really not my home
Maybe it’s been too long a time
Since I was scramblin’ down in the street
Now they got me used to that clean white linen
And that fancy French cologne
Oh Carey get out your cane
I’ll put on my finest silver
We’ll go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
I said, Oh, you’re a mean old Daddy but I like you
But you’re out of sight
© January 18, 1971; Siquomb Pub Corp
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