A Cowboy’s Faith: Songs Tell County’s History

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“Hello. This is Monte Selby. I have a grant to write and sing songs about Morris County. Several people suggested I talk to you. Could I come by your office and visit?”

Sure, that’ll be fine.

Reflections from growing up in a farm town became one song Monte and Martin Selby presented in concert.

 

LAURA MAE

 

Laura Mae is your best friend

Always smile and say hello

Deliver groceries to your home

That’s my job, off I’d go

Twice a day, I’m on the go

 

My whole life, I’ve ridden my horse

Love to be a cowboy – rope and ride

Nearly 50 years, had the time of my life

But back as a kid, I had to bide my time

Mama had work, gotta bide my time

 

You see, Daddy had an accident on the farm

So Mama said we gotta make money somehow

A few years later what mama found was a

Grocery store in the middle of town

Right on Main Street, middle of town, they’d say….

 

Laura Mae is your best friend

Always smile and say hello

Deliver groceries to your home

That’s my job, off I’d go

Twice a day, I’m on the go

 

Times back then were not like now

I’d walk’n your house to the kitchen floor

Open your fridge and cabinet doors

I knew every house and so much more

Just a kid, but I knew much more

 

I knew who smoked, and who liked cheese

What they’d drink, and what they’d read (red)

Who baked cookies and homemade bread?

They’d give me treats I’ll never forget

Christmas time, I was very well fed.  Because…

 

Laura Mae is your best friend

Always smile and say hello

Deliver groceries to your home

That’s my job, off I’d go

Twice a day, I’m on the go

 

Saturday night, farmers all come in

Some would trade their eggs and milk

We’d stay up late, get the orders filled

Charge the ticket to their bill

Charge the ticket to their bill

 

Some pay quick, some pay slow

Sell a few calves to get cash flow

Might take a year, to pay what they owe

Laura Mae just let it go

She’d been there too, years ago.  That’s why…

 

Laura Mae is your best friend

Always smile and say hello

Deliver groceries to your home

That’s my job, off I’d go

Twice a day, I’m on the go

 

The Morris County Kansas Legacy Project was funded by the Morris County Arts Council and Historical Society. Ten songs were based on conversations with 24 longtime Morris County citizens for the concert in Council Grove. Three have references to the grocery story including fire destruction in 1978.

The concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=198&v=TbLxhSu0JoI.

Reminded of Psalm 42:8: “God promises to love all day, sing songs all night.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

XIII–6–2-3-19

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