Detroit singer Sixto Rodriguez's sweet voice and socially conscious lyrics
made him a legend in apartheid-era South Africa. This photo appears on the cover
of his second album, Coming from Reality (1971).
I was born for a purpose -
to mock your words & actions
Narrow framed, a circus of white lies -
I thrust this light, causing a chain reaction
You could not find my carcass
Nor my guitar to silence the attraction
My music rose in the streets & old churches
To tell a gospel truth, freedom, my soul's passion-
Posted for: Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Thanks to Marian for introducing his music to us ~ Shared with Poets United: First Verse - Body
Picture credit: here
ahhhh, perfect. "you could not find my carcass nor my guitar." an enigma! definitely some larger purpose behind all of this. lovely words, Grace. love.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marian for introducing this music legend in South Africa ~ Amazing singer ~
DeleteI love this, Grace. It's gritty and packs a punch.
ReplyDeleteMy music rose in the streets & old churches
To tell a gospel truth
Thank you Kerry ~ It was interesting to see the impact of his music & lyrics in your nation's history ~
Deletenice...sounds like a pretty cool guy, with a message....sometimes that truth is subversive as well and causes discomfort with the higher ups....not a bad thing at all...
ReplyDeleteSome words are indeed meant to cause discomfort with the higher ups ~ Thanks for the visit Brian ~
DeleteSomethings sure shouldn't be silenced indeed, the cat never shuts up at his feed haha happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend too Pat ~
DeleteI really appreciate your recognition of Rodriguez' living out his purpose despite what appeared to be a lack of interest in the work. We must find our bliss and chase it, embrace it. Blessings, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim ~
DeleteDoesn't he just look unstoppable in this photo? And your words mirror the image perfectly, Grace. I can read your poem and almost hear the words in his voice. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteK
He does indeed Kay ~ Thank you ~
DeleteAmazing poem! So glad I listened to this wonderful singer, truly gifted. Thank you for bringing attention to such a talented man.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem to match his beautiful voice. Wow! I wasn't expecting that voice at all. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe are all the richer for being introduced to this talented man. Your poetry is awesome ... he was born with a purpose.
ReplyDeleteIt goes without saying that when his records were produced (not promoted) his voice and lyric were as good as but well overshadowed by Bob Dylan and other folkies of the time.
ReplyDeleteSixto spent the majority of his life working construction in Detroit and hanging out with guys in empty fields sitting around a burn barrel. A man has to make a living and his guitar wasn't doing it for him here. he lost faith in himself as a working musician.
With "Sugarman" people are discovering what a lot of us knew at one time. But Detroit talent has to move away to lose the stink of the factories to be heard. That's why Barry Gordy left in the 70's with MoTown.
We do have a petition right now, with his backing, to place him on the ballot in the next election cycle for Mayor of Detroit.
You do know that all of the records sold in Australia and South Africa he never saw a dime of royalties from eh? Hell he didn't even know they were being re-mastered and sold until the South Africans came to see if he was still alive.
Look at an up to date picture of him now and you will see what a Detroit face looks like. A Most Disgusting Song from the same record.
We watched the Oscar winning documentary on his life, Searching for SugarMan last night and we were blown away by his journey. What struck us most was his humility and gratitude, not bitterness for what could have been, including the money that should have been his. The faces of those SF fans are surreal, against the dark streets of the Detroit. I now have a better appreciation of your writing ~
Deletegreat to read these comments from Detroit!
DeleteGrace, I think your poem captured his purpose very well indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary ~
DeleteI love learning about singers, writers, pets, etc. from the 60s and 70s whose work was geared toward raising social awareness.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully told,I really like the line:
ReplyDeleteNarrow framed, a circus of white lies -
Thank you for giving us the heads up about this artist. I will look for "Searching for Sugarman".
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem Grace, gritty, telling it how it was and is,,,from the story of this man's interesting life,,and music,,,
ReplyDeletePowerful ending, Grace!!! Love this, "My music rose in the streets & old churches
ReplyDeleteTo tell a gospel truth, freedom, my soul's passion-" Well written piece!!
Love Rodriguez, loved' Searching for Sugarman', love your poem. xx
ReplyDelete