(For Nick Cave)
The spindly showman
Shuffled on stage
Dressed as black as night
He bowed in front of the audience
Sang his soul right out of sight
With a click of his fingers
His band joined in
Woodwind, brass and bass
A solo duly followed
From the bearded guitar ace
The crowd went wild with abandon
Cheering and stomping their feet
Applause shook the arena
As the fans were given a treat
The spindly showman reached right down
And grabbed a hand in the crowd
He sang straight into a woman’s eyes
She wouldn’t forget how loud
His voice spoke to everyone
Of universal truth
His lyrics, like an elixir
Leading all to the fountain of youth
As the Midnight Man jerked and shook
In what passed as funky dancing
He strutted his stuff from left to right
His fancy pants a prancing
His outrageous moves and his profanity
Entertained in no small measure
The crowd went home happy
Wrapped in a blanket of guilty pleasure
Stereo Story #595
More Nick Cave stories: Where The Wild Roses Grow, Into My Arms, The Mercy Seat.
