Please note that the videos with the songs embedded were posted by some great Parrotheads on YouTube and not my creation.
African Friend (1973) is one of my favorites from the Son of a Son of A Sailor album and well proves that one of the things that Jimmy Buffett does best is tell a story; he is a writer at heart. This story is about a man from Africa visiting Haiti, we're never told why but there is some political feeling to his visit. Looking forward to some free time, he goes to a casino, plays craps and runs into the narrator (I always think it is Jimmy, but who knows). They have a great time gambling, winning, drinking and ending up on the "steps of a whorehouse".
The African man is asked to leave the country and leaves the narrator a note which has my favorite Buffett lines in it: "It was a pleasure and a hell of an evening, surely was our night to win". I think of these lines every time I've had a great night doing anything especially gambling. The American and African became friends for a night and who knows, maybe always.
What are your thoughts on this song?
Always a fan of the Buffett and of old pirates! Happy A to Z!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those songs I've heard, but never really paid attention to the lyrics before. This is going to be a really interesting month...and what an excellent start. :)
ReplyDeleteGood song, Pam. And I know why you like it ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics are a great story, a story which reminded you of something you will carry with you, that makes it a great song in my book!
ReplyDeleteHaiku A (#861)
LOVE Buffett.. and so wish he would play "over here" takes me back to my college days & my years sailing in the Caribbean... :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess he doesn't play Europe too often. I do think he just went to Paris about 6 months ago. Sailing in the Caribbean, I'm so jealous.
DeleteI like songs that tell stories. Often they are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI love all of his songs, his voice and especially the lyrics. I am a new follower from the challenge.
ReplyDeleteYou can never go wrong with Buffett!
ReplyDeleteIt's impossible for me to find anything wrong with any Buffett song. I've always listened to the stories and they take me away. "African Friend" is one that defines friendships.
ReplyDeleteStopping by on the A to Z Challange from Debbie & Harry's Kitchen. And subscribing so I don't miss any Parrothead analysis!
Not necessarily a Parrot Head, but I do love JB!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with tackling the challenge on three blogs. I did it on four last year - never again!
Stopping by from the A-Z Challenge, blogging at Ross County Roundup and Write, Wrong or Indifferent.