John Gorka - Oh Abraham (2021)

Home Video #41 and this week’s One Song Concert is Oh Abraham which first appeared on my 2001 CD The Company You Keep.
I hope you like it!
John
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Venmo: @John-Gorka

Lyrics 'Oh Abraham' (2021) :

I see a penny and I pick it up
If not the money
I could use the luck
And if it's face down
I turn it over
Head for Wood Avenue
Between Inman and New Dover
Back in my home town

Gas is cheaper where I'm from
But the driving's not so good
People go and stay where they should not
And they don't do it like I would

Work is not the same as before
More soft wear hands in the hardware store

Oh Abraham look at all the money now
Oh Abraham good night
It's your party but
I'll cry if I want to
I wouldn't care how much they have
If they would only do what's right, not far right

I was born by a Kerouac stream
Under Eisenhower skies
They saw freedom as a big idea
Now it was right before my eyes

They said Jack helped to build the Pentagon
And Ike built this interstate that we are off and on

Oh Abraham was it all about the money then
Oh Abraham good night
It's your party but
I'll cry if I want to
All powered up and charmed with might
So we are right, we're always right, right

We're right, they're wrong
Let them get their own song (2X)
I see a penny and I pick it up
99 more and I have a buck
Abe you were born in old Kentuck'
But we still miss you here

[fenceriding]

I’ve been listening to this song for half my life and I just realized that’s Nanci Griffith harmonizing.

[Folkapotamus]

Saw you last night in Nashua. I had forgotten just how much I love your music!

[patricianocerabrandy]

Lovely to hear about Colonia Thanks for the wonderful memories

[nightingaleofsorrow]

Love love this one John! I am drawn to these sweet and soft ballads where I get lost in the words and melancholy. 💕

[sakka]

One of my favorite songs from Mr. Gorka! I love the imagery of those old boy godless politicians and the beatniks, happy on red dot production type of song. Even though I only support purple micro dot via Prince and Michael Hedges laboratory - Ha!

[dsimms]

Beautiful song, wonderfully recorded. You're getting real good at this. Thanks for my weekly fix

[jimthumerzs]

That sounded great!

I love the line "More soft wear hands in the hardware store"

Though, I often think of it as "More software hands in the hardware store" since the big box places are more about what computer algorithms analyzing what to stock and sell, than old tradesmen passing down their knowledge and advice to customers. Sorta the same, but different.

[nandunnebyington]

Gratitude and respect, John Gorka. Your art sustains my spirit.

[PiperbonesJ]

I’m sending this to Joe Scarborough. Now. Hope it gets through, John. All the way to the heart of things. I think that’s where you’ve always lived, man. Peace and blessings...James

[BenBigelow]

This was my presentation to John Gorka. It’s a part of me always. And beautiful poetry. Thank you John!

[markmetcalfe]

What an apropriate song after this week, Love you John

[Keithx]

More relevant than ever. Thanks John!

[lilysyaya]

A beautiful song, I love your style of music and singing. Thank you. You tell stories in your songs. We travel on a journey as we listen. 🌺

[CTAfman]

Prachtig, bedankt! (from the Netherlands)

[mqmurphy]

One of my favorites from a favorite album. Thank you, John.