For months I'd waited, wild anticipation in my head,
The concert tickets lying on the nightstand near my bed.
His music always filled my head and overtook my mind
Reminding me of youthful days now left so far behind.

Now here I was, face shining brightly, in row C-14,
The concert hall filled with more bodies than I'd ever seen!
The tickets had sold out in minutes many months ago
As folks from every walk of life had paid to see his show.

So there we were - the old, the young, the fogeys and the hip,
A manifest as strange as Noah gathered for his ship.
His timeless songs and gravel voice had brought us all on board
And we were set to cruise the seas of memories explored.

At once the lights grew dim. I heard the band strike up a beat.
A zillion hands exploded as we all jumped to out feet!
He stood there, microphone in hand, acknowledging our cheers
Then poured out words which had become our anthems through the years.

I am - I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair

The air was now electric as our voices sang along.
It seemed the whole crowd knew the words to every single song!
His voice - our voices - all together, shattering the night,
Hands moving, bodies swaying, faces beaming with delight.

and the radio played like a
carnival tune
as we lay in our bed in the
other room
when we gave it away
for the sake of a dream
in a penny arcade
if you know what I mean

With fine strokes of a master's hand, a tapestry was drawn
Of names and faces, times and places all too quickly gone.
I felt the long hair on my neck, the sandals on my feet.
My body felt rejuvenated more with every beat.

Love on the rocks
Ain't no surprise
Pour me a drink
And I'll tell you some lies
Got nothing to lose
So you just sing the blues
All the time

His voice was belting out the tunes, the band was cooking now.
The rafters were still holding up the roof - don't ask me how!
One hit after another, million sellers in their day
Made problems in our real lives grow small and fade away.

It used to be so natural
To talk about forever
But 'used to be's' don't count anymore
They just lay on the floor
'Til we sweep them away

I must confess that it was hard to judge which song was best
But there was one I'd hoped to hear much stronger than the rest.
Each time a new song started I held breath, expectantly,
With hopes to hear my favorite one but it was not to be.

At last the night was over. He bowed deeply to applause
And left the stage. Of course nobody left the hall because
We all knew well that he'd come back to give us some encore
So, as tradition calls for, we kept screaming for one more.

The lights went out - the hall went black, applause and cheering died.
The only light five thousand candles swaying side to side.
We all stood there in total silence...who knows for how long?
Waiting for his re-appearance and one final song.

At back of stage one spotlight then came on and brightly shone
Its light to silhouette the figure at the microphone.
His head was bowed, his arms stretched wide - it was incredulous!
The outline of the figure looked like Jesus on the cross!!!

The crowd recovered from its shock. I heard the oohs and ahs
And then the clapping rose up to a thunderous applause!
We screamed! We clapped! We whistled! We gave out a giant yell
While waiting for his voice to sing those words we knew so well.

Hot August night
And the leaves hanging down
And the grass on the ground
Smelling sweet
Move up the road
To the outside of town
And the sound of that good
Gospel beat
Sits a ragged tent
Where there ain't no trees
And that gospel group
Telling you and me..........

The concert hall was gone. I stood out in a field somewhere
Where one huge canvas tent had quickly sprung up from nowhere.
I saw the fire and brimstone man shake fists while raising cain
And we all screamed out with delight as he reached his refrain...

It's Love, Love
Brother Love's Traveling
Salvation Show!
Pack up the babies
Grab the old ladies
Everyone goes
Everyone knows
Brother Love's show!!!

He was the preacher...we the flock. He had us 'neath his spell
As he ran back and forth across the stage while raising hell.
His sermon was OUR sermon - words of glory were our own.
His message was to tell us that we'd never be alone.

Take my hand in yours
Walk with me this day
In my heart I know
I will never stray
Halle, halle, halle, halle,
Halle, halle, halle

Then, once again, the last refrain
And we screamed like we were insane!

It's Love, Love,
Brother Love's Traveling
Salvation Show!
Pack up the babies
Grab the old ladies
Everyone goes
Everyone knows
Brother Love's show.

The hall then turned to black. When lights came on our man was gone,
The emptiness of stage reminding us that life goes on
But every face that left there had a warm and glowing smile
And there were twinkles in our eyes that lasted quite a while.

He'll never know the difference he made in me, I guess.
For him it was another show to give - no more, no less
But he gave me a memory I know will never fade
And I will always love the man and music that he played.

I've had my goods and bads of life - I've had my ups and downs.
I've had things which created smiles and ones that deepened frowns
But every time I need a lift when troubles get me low
I bring back thoughts of Brother Love and his salvation show.