Chuck Berry Recites a Poem (or Part of One) at The Argosy

For Illustrative Purposes Only.  Objects in Chuck Berry's
Actual Rear View Mirror May Appear Larger

At the Argosy, when one of the guitars went out of tune, Chuck recited part of a poem.  It was beautiful to hear-- a version of the one he put out as "My Dream" on the album San Francisco Dues, and he recited it perfectly, with a great cadence and just enough drama.  He didn't finish though, and kept threatening to during any lulls in the music.  (There weren't many that night!)  It's a work that works best when he's performing it, and I wish I could post the version we were treated to, or the musical version, with Chuck's interesting piano in the background, but the former is only in our memories, and the I couldn't find the latter.  (Those Youtubers need to get cracking!)  But here are the words.  And if I'm right, the dream's become a major league reality.

When I build my home, 

That I shall have some day; 

It'll be like I want it 

Oh - and I mean that in every way. 

I have yet to see any 

That would cope with the style - 

Of the house that I dream of; 

That I'll build after a while. 

The roof of it will have peak lines, 

And contours that dip; 

And form shadowy eaves, 

Where the little raindrops can drip. 

... That sweet pitter patter, 

Of raindrops at play - 

Is such a beautiful sound 

On a quiet gloomy day. 

You know, when the wind is high, 

And the storm gods race, 

And I'll be snugged up 

By my fire-place. 

Maybe feeding my little dog, 

Or playing with my little cat. 

But unconsciously yearning, 

And wonderin' where you're at. 

But when the meadow is shadowed 

By that old sinking sun; 

And the roses are bowing 

For the dew drops to come; 

At my old upright piano, 

With pure ivory keys, 

I'll just plunk out some vibrations 

Of whatever I please. 

Sometimes it'll be classics, 

Sometimes lullabies; 

But mostly rock n' roll 

That I'll surely improvise. 

[ Lyrics from: ] 

And with my favorite guitar, 

I'll be just strummin' away 

And bidding goodbye, 

To another beautiful day. 

A portrait of my angel, 

That I love most of all - 

I'll have painted from a snapshot 

Onto my bedroom wall. 

Where the suns warm rays, 

And the moon's cold beam 

Will cast her reflection, 

As I lay there and dream. 

You know, I can't deny 

But it makes me so sad, 

When I think that I've lost 

All that I could have had. 

It was best for her - 

And I guess I, I know; 

That she measured my love - 

And then asked me to go. 

Then finally my house, 

I will have it complete. 

And I'll take up a smoke, 

Sitting by the window sill. 

And I'll read my many books 

That I'll have in my bachelors nest; 

While the sun goes drooping 

Down in the west. 

And I'll feel that gold, 

Warm light on my face; 

And then I'll start trippin' 

To some far off place. 

That through all of my travels, 

I must have missed somewhere - 

A place that I might find 

My angel someday. 

And I'll leave all that I have 

To the gods, up above; 

And go spend my life searching 

For the angel, that I love. 

For all of my dreams, 

Would be but a souvenir; 

Compared to the one 

That I love so dear.