Chapter 16: The Festival Part 2
"For our first performance ladies and gentlemen a clown. A clown most of you know as Wallace Clanton."
Everyone cheered and shouted for the clown known as Wallace.
"Tonight he will be sharing a story with us on how he first came to be a clown…" Dean was suddenly interrupted by a deep what seemed to be New York voice from back stage.
"Crying clown!" the voice shouted. My frown came back.
Everyone laughed as Dean continued.
"I meant Crying Clown. Ladies and gentlemen – Wallace the clown!" Dean left the stage and the curtain opened.
I flinched as I heard drums, over and over then I heard music that came from a fair I once heard outside the opera house, though this one was one where I swear I could just burst into laughs!
Suddenly a man came out, I expected to see a man dressed in a fluffy suit with all sorts of colors but no, this man was dressed completely like everybody else.
I muffled my thinking to listen to the words; two girls began to sing which I quickly recognized as Jennie and Bunny.
Goodbye cruel world!
Good bye cruel world!
Then the clown began to sing.
Oh goodbye cruel world
I'm off to join the circus
His voice was I should say quite well, the emotion in his voice was near amusing, but I was more impressed by how he used his voice. He was completely open with it.
Gonna be a broken hearted clown
Paint my face with a good for nothing smile
Cause a mean fickle woman
Turned my whole world upside down!
Jennie and Bunny sang again.
Goodbye cruel world!
Wallace continued.
Farewell to love
I'm off to join the circus
Gotta find a way to hide my tears
Then I'll have them rolling in the aisle
And I'll forget that woman
If it takes a hundred years!
Goodbye cruel world!
Oh Oh Oh
Step right up and take a look at a fool
He's got a heart as stubborn as a mule
Come on everybody
He's good for a laugh
And no one could tell his heart is broken in half
Well the joke's on me
I'm off to join the circus
Oh Mister Barnum save a place for me
Shoot me out of a canon I don't care
Let the people point at me and stare
I'll tell the world that woman
Wherever she may be
That mean fickly woman made a cryin' clown out of me!
Goodbye cruel world!
Shoot me out of a canon I don't care
Let the people point at me and stare
I'll tell the world that woman
Wherever she may be
That mean fickly woman made a cryin' clown out of me
Goodbye cruel world!
Goodbye cruel world!
Goodbye cruel world!
Wallace, Jennie, and Bunny took a bow and left the stage. People rose from their seats and applauded mister Clanton, Whistled for him shouted! I even stood and gave him my applaud. I was astonished by him. Not only by his voice but by his story. He's strong; he talks how his love hurt him and how he will do anything to get rid of his memory of her. He is saying goodbye to love. He doesn't need it. I wish I could have just as much strength to get rid of my nightmares.
Dean appeared on stage again.
"Thank you Wallace very much, and now my fellow friends our very own Gabrielle shall perform with Jennie and Bunny as her background! She wished to tell us how life was back then for her when she traveled with her family. Ladies and gents' I give you Gabrielle!"
The crowd burst into applauds. I quickly tuned to Thelma.
"Why does he not mention her last name?" I asked with a tight grimace.
"She doesn't have one, she's a gypsy. Well not really but sort of, she's Arthur Barstool's very own fortune teller." My eyes slightly widen. A gypsy?
I glanced up to see a woman who looked to be almost her early forties; her long black hair went wild down her shoulders, her dress was exquisite in its own way, red green and white, her golden jewelry shimmered and shined in the spotlight when her song finally started.
I was born in a wagon of a traveling show
My mamma used to dance for the money they throw
Papa would do whatever he could
Preach a little gospel
Sell a couple bottles of doctor good
Jennie and Bunny joined in.
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town they'd call us
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down
Picked up a boy just south of Mobil
Gave him a ride filled him with a hot meal
I was sixteen he was twenty-one!
Rode with us to Memphis
And papa would of shot him if he knew what he'd done
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town they'd call us
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down
I never had schoolin' but it taught me well with its smooth southern style
Three months later I'm a gal in trouble and I hadn't seen him
For awhile
Oh no!
I haven't seen him for a while oh no…
Suddenly a girl who looked to be in her early twenties came on stage, she resembled the older woman, my guess was she was her daughter, and I was right, the part the younger girl sang proved it.
She was born in a wagon of a traveling show
Her mamma had to dance for the money they'd throw
Grandpa do whatever he could!
Preach a little gospel
Sell a couple bottles of doctor good
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town they'd call us
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town they'd call us
Gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down
Everyone rose and clapped their hands. My ears were starting to hurt from all the noise; I'm probably going to have to deal with that for another half hour or so.
The song the mother and daughter sang was again surprisingly well sung and just…excellent. It was so amazing how these people could just poor their story in their music. Just like me.
Dean was back on stage.
"Thank you Gabrielle and Ivey. Now everyone our very own Netty Avery shall tell us her life with her sister Sofia."
Everyone cheered. Two black women along with two older men who one seems to be their father the other must be their brother walked on stage, the father went to a piano but as he tested a key I frowned deeply, the sound was almost as three echoes in one. But the sound was a sound I never heard and I was pleased to hear what was coming.
The older woman who would be singing had a red dress on showing her shoulders, while her young sister wore a white dress with a green Shaw held tightly around her to block her from the cold. They both looked beautiful no doubt, I was eager to know what her singing would be like.
Her brother put an instrument to his mouth and created a sound, after learning it to be a harmonica their father began to play the piano, and Netty began to hum.
Hmm, hmmm, hmmm,
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm,
Sister
You've been on my mind
Oh sister
Where're two of a kind soul
Sister
I'm keeping my eyes on you
I betcha think I don't know nothing
But singing the blues
Oh sister
Have I got news for you, I'm something
I hope you think that you're something too
Oh scufflin' I been up that lonesome road
And I seen a lot of suns going down
Oh but trust me
No low life's gonna run me around
So let me tell you something
Sister
Remember your name
No twister gonna steal your stuff away
My sister
We sho ain't got a whole lot of time!
So-o-o shake your shimmy
Sister
Cause honey the shug
Is feelin' fine!
Everyone jumped to their feet and began their loud clapping, I immediately joined in, and it was odd how her voice went very shriek then growl so deep. It surprised me and amazed me. I hadn't the slightest clue that a woman can have such a voice it was incredible.
She bowed and hugged her little sister. I smiled as her sister embraced her back. Oh how I wished I could have met my family if I had any. But never could I face my mother. How sad and lonely and angry at me for being so ugly.
I pressed the memories away as soon as Dean climbed the stage.
"Thank you Netty, beautiful singing as always! Now ladies and gentlemen, next performance is a dance buy the lovely couples who have been through so much to find each other after losing each other. They wish to tell us through their dance how passionate their love was and is before they were separated and after. Everyone I give you their dance "The Faded Passion!""
He quickly left and the curtains opened. In the middle of the spotlight was a man and woman, the man was in a black outfit, while the woman was in a black dress with her brown hair tightly held in a bun with a red rose in it. They were standing face to face looking at each other. Then the music started.
It almost sounded Italian; perhaps that's what they were. Their dance began and I was entranced by their slick moves of love. Their never lost eyes sight, they never left each other's gaze.
The music went stronger and their tango dancing fallowed its strength. When the music hit its climax so did they. A strange sort of beat hit the music making their dance flow gracefully yet roughly. They slid across the stage from one point to the next back and forth, their bodies close and entwined.
Oh how he whispered in her ears no doubt words of love. She smiled and they became more lustful. But then again hardly lustful, just a hint.
There was sadness in their dance and music, this is what they felt when they were together and away from each other. Their caresses of love, their fear of loosing one another so they never let go of each other, and happiness they have someone to hold on to.
The song slowly ended with a kiss. I closed my eyes and the image of Christine came into view. She slowly placed her lips on mine.
No!
My eyes jutted open as I saw the lovers leave the stage and Dean walked up.
"Thank you Adriano and Bella. That was more then magnificent! Now everyone, it gives me great honor to announce that my daughter Bunny Tamber will be performing tonight."
Everyone clapped for Bunny along with some gasps. I heard from across people saying how surprised they were when they heard Bunny's name, how last time she freaked and ran off before walking on the steps.
I looked at the small head that popped out of the curtains. It was Bunny. She searched the crowd over and over, until finally spotting me. She smiled and left. She was looking for me?
"Ladies and gents, I give you my daughter Bunny Tamber singing a small part of Barbara Allen!" Dean exited the staged and Bunny came in. Everyone was silent, which I thought was incredibly dim-witted! Silence always makes first timers nervous.
As Bunny neared the stage I without thinking stood and clapped. I clapped wildly for her. Then after seconds Thelma clapped with me, then after another second everyone began to clap.
Bunny slowly smiled and blushed. She swallowed and took a deep breath, everyone fell silent. Bunny began. Her voice was in perfect range, deep and her accent clearly showed. Her voice full of confident.
'Twas in the merry month of May
When all gay flowers were bloomin'
Sweet William's on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen
He sent his servant to the town
He sent him to her dwellin'
Sayin' "master's sick and very sick,
And for your sake he's dying
I think I was the first to clap. Bunny was a confident girl now, the song may be short but she sang it beautifully, I can only wonder if she wouldn't mind learning opera. Don't even think it!
Expecting Dean to come on stage Bunny stayed in place smiling at the clapping crowd who whistled for an encore. Then she opened her mouth to speak.
"Thank you for all being here. I have never been so confident thank you so, so much. But now ladies and gentlemen time to hear someone who hasn't sung in along time, ladies and gentlemen my mother Dolly Tamber telling of her love."
Dolly walked on stage looking beautiful as ever. She gave a dashing smile then began her song with Dreama at the piano.
If I should stay
Well, I will only be in your way
And so I'll go
And yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
Will always love you
Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have and all I'm taking with me
Goodbye, oh please don't cry
Cause we both know that I'm not what you need
But I will always love you
Will always love you
And I hope life will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love you
I, I will always, always love you
Will always love you
Will always love you
I will always love you
We stood and clapped. She was amazing, never have I heard such a voice, perfect pitch, perfect accent to match it.
She walked forward and took a bow. Then spoke.
"Thank you so much and now, a man who hasn't performed in a long time. He has his own story you know, about – well his life back then. Ladies and gentlemen I give you, my dear husband Dean Tamber as lead singer, my two sons Tommy and Noah as the background choir, Jonnie as banjo, his father Abraham playing the guitar, my daughter Dreama as violin and our dear friend Milo as stand up base. Everyone Man of Constant Sorrow!
And then they began starting with Jonnie then his father then stand up base then Tommy and Noah.
In constant sorrow through his days
Tommy held his voice low, while Noah went high. Then Dean sang.
I am the man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was born and raised
The place where he was born and raised!
Jonnie's father did his solo
For six long years I've been in trouble
No pleasures here on earth I found
For in this world I'm bound to ramble
I have no friend to help me now
He has no friends to help him now!
It's fare thee well my old lover
I never expect to see you again
For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon this train
Perhaps he'll die upon this train
Jonnie did his own solo.
You can bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleepin' in my grave
While he is sleepin' in his grave!
Dreama did her solo.
Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
My face you'll never see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I'll meet you on God's golden shore
He'll meet you on God's golden shore!
And thus the song ended. Everyone stood and clapped madly, myself included. Dean just gave I think a very big surprise, to me at least. I thought he had a good life, but no, from a brief explanation from Thelma she said he had escaped prison to find Dolly and tell her these things. Shocked I was indeed.
Dean walked up and bowed with his family. Jonnie had definitely proven himself truly great! From his father I have no doubts, for he too was brilliant. But Dreama, she surprised me. I have heard her play with Bunny but nothing this well. More then once she capture my attention with her playing. What else does she have in store?
"Thank you everyone, and now a song that Jonnie had wrote for us. Jennie and my wife Dolly shall be singing it." Dean stated.
I grinned, Jonnie said he was sure Jennie wouldn't sing this song and was surer someone else was going to help play it. But I guess things change in its ways. Dolly and Jennie walked to the center of the stage, Dreama still in her place, Milo still in his, while jonnie and his father switched instruments, Jonnie now held a guitar, while his father held the banjo.
He then began. Then in one swift moment Dolly and Jenny began to sing.
Love is pretty when love is new
Like a blushing rose
In a dazzling dew
Intoxicated like cherry sweet wine
When love is new its magic
Then Jennie sang.
Mother, oh mother
Why can't you see?
He's the only love for me
Why must thou be opposed to me?
Cause I'm asking for thy blessin'
Dolly sang.
Daughter, oh daughter
I know he's kind
You think he's handsome and you think he's fine
He'll use your body and tangle your mind
Too late you'll learn this lesson
They joined.
Love is pretty when love is new
Like a blushing rose
In a dazzling dew
Intoxicated like cherry sweet wine
When love is new its magic
When love grows cold it's tragic
Jennie sang
Mother, oh mother
He's not that way
He's touch just takes my breath away
You surly remember when you felt that way
When you and father first married
Dolly sang.
Oh yes I do remember it well
What first was heaven soon turned to hell
He left with another a year you was born
But I told you he's dead and buried
They joined.
But love is pretty when love is new
Like a blushing rose
In a dazzling dew
Intoxicated like cherry sweet wine
When love is new its magic
Jennie sang.
He love me true cause he told me so!
Dolly sang.
He'll break your heart when love grows cold.
Jennie sang.
I love him so, I love him so!
Dolly sang.
Then I pray your new love lastin'
Love is pretty when love is new,
Like a blushing rose
In a dazzling dew
Shines like diamonds
Like silver and gold
When love is new its magic
When love grows old its tragic
They joined.
Love is pretty when love is new
Like a blushing rose
In a dazzling dew
Intoxicated like cherry sweet wine
When love is new its magic…
Everyone stood and shouted while Thelma cursed madly. I frowned at her actions.
"Blasted Jonnie he's going to blow it! Can you believe he wrote that song and performed in front of mother and father! Worse enough he had mother sing it! Oh! Unbelievable!"
I almost laughed at her temper. I too would have been angry as well, Jonnie had to keep their secret engagement low and this…being the smart people the Tamber's are they would figure it out, but unfortunately they did not.
The two women took their leave while Dean walked in.
"Everyone Dolly, Jennie, and Jonnie!" everyone cheered. "Now I must say that is all for tonight but as always, our last joy for tonight his dancing!" everyone cheered louder making me squint.
"But! One last performance! My dear daughter Dreama has made a song but unfortunately it cannot be played without a pianist who can read music." Everyone fell silent. Dreama quickly stood on stage and in an instant had a small argument with her father, a bit I heard, something about I told you it cannot be played. Then Dean turned to the crowd. "Come on! With all the history of music here no one knows how to read music for the piano?"
This was my chance, but do I want to? My mind was everywhere! Then I finally made a decision.
I slowly raised my hand.
"I can." I shouted from the back. Dean searched for me, once I was found he gave a big smile and motioned me to the stage.
"Everyone Erik Munoire!" feeling more nervous then ever I made my way to the stage, looking up I saw Dreama completely shocked, I walked up to her but heard a few gasps once the light hit me. I slowly turned and I heard more gasps.
People were scared, I knew it. My blood went cold as I stared at one old woman who looked at me with pure disgust, though I couldn't help but think that I knew her once from long ago. But it all went away when I heard a faint clap. Then it got louder.
I searched the crowd to see who the mysterious clapper was. Indeed, it was Bunny, she was clapping wildly for me smiling more then ever, then clapping was heard from the side of the stage from Dolly, then Thelma, then Dean, then Tommy and Noah, and then – everyone was clapping!
I shut my eyes tightly then opened them, I was not dreaming.
Alright then, let the music begin.
I turned to Dreama, she still had wide eyes, I couldn't tell if she was surprised that I chose to help her perform her song, or if she was surprised of my face. Feeling a little uncomfortable I spoke when the applauds died down.
"Do you have the music?" I asked raising an eyebrow. She flinched.
"What?" she asked dazed.
"Music sheets so I can play it on the piano." I said a bit annoyed by her away ness.
"Oh yes I do." And with that she reached behind her and gave me the music sheets, I made my way behind the piano and sat myself down. Bunny walked on and Dreama handed her he music sheet. We set up the stage as the crowd silently waited for us.
I looked through the music. Finally after three weeks my hands, my body, my mind, my soul will be able to remember its feel for music! I looked at Dreama who nodded for me to begin. I nodded back and began.
As I slowly began the intro of the song I was suddenly drawn to it, almost the moment I felt myself play the music. But as I continued – Dreama came in, I was taken out of my world and my eyes were set on Dreama. Her eyes were closed as she played with heart and soul. She played with so much passion I almost missed a couple of parts.
We reached the idle of the song and the song was suddenly jolly, then I looked passed Dreama and saw Bunny join in. Her playing was well, but none could match playing like Dreama's. Bunny's part was now over, and the time came for me to stop playing and for Dreama to start her solo.
Silence, then the violin, it was quick yet with rhythm, it flow through gently and overpoweringly, no music has done this to me, oh how I loved the feeling of music taking over me, yet it was usually my music not someone else's. She played and played, and then I joined almost missing my cue.
We hit the climax, though this time it was my turn to bring the passion. I hit the keys, my finger sending a jolt of power through them making Dreama snap out of her trance and glance at me, desire was in her eyes. She looked at me in away I never her seen her look at me, it made me want her. That very moment she showed me the hidden fire buried deep inside her soul and how much she longed to release it. She wanted someone to release her. Someone she could trust, someone she could love.
We slowly ended the song, and we never glanced away, even when there was no more sound.
Then my gaze was forced away when a big gush of hands hitting hands filled my ears, and to the looks of it filled Dreama's as well for she flinched just as much.
I stood and walked to her. We stood on the stage, me next to Dreama, Dreama next to Bunny; we joined hands and took a bow. The feel of Dreama's hand in mine sent a jolt of electricity in my body making my heart pump, and the feel of Dreama's heart beat in my palm just told me she felt it too.
Dreama let go of her sister's hands and off she went to her mother hugging her greatly. But we never parted hands; we just stared at each other. Suddenly the curtains closed, and we were the left alone while the others were on the other side.
I didn't know what to do, the music that she sent me, the music I sent her, the passion we gave each other. Are hands were still tightly clasped together when suddenly in the darkness behind the curtains I pulled her close to my chest, placed one hand on her waist and the other on the back of her neck and placed my lips on hers.
She struggled for an instant then slowly relaxed, and then suddenly my tongue found hers. She gasped but gave in as she moved her hands up and down my chest making me groan in pleasure I pulled her closer to my chest she moaned. As much as I didn't want it to end it did, she pulled away pushing me away from her small body.
She turned to me, wanting to say something but didn't. She disappeared through the curtain. What had made me kiss her? Oh but that kiss! Indeed those lips of hers have never been touched. She slightly bit down on my tongue when I was kissing her; I didn't pull away but deepened the kiss. I didn't want it to end, but it did.
The passion that swarmed deep within my veins still lingered. I must never get attached with one such as Dreama; she was young, and innocent. She knows nothing. Neither does you genius!
I sighed swearing under my breath not to get attached to her. She wouldn't want me, she resisted at first. I bet if the passion she had was not in her at that moment she would have continued her try to resist that kiss.
Dreama now held a power over me I thought no one could have. But she did.
Oh God please, don't let me suffer again…
I know this chapter is long, but I thought it was cool, I enjoyed writing it! The songs just so you knwo are not mine they belong to the following:
"Goodbuy Cruel World" by Bobby Darrin
"Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves" by Cher
"sister" from the Color Purple soundtrack
and the song where the two lovers dance, the song I heard called Bella Donna is what they dance to just so you knwo, download it its really good!
"Barbara Allen" by Emmy Rossum
"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
"Man of Constant Sarrow" by The Soggy Bottom Boys
"When Love is New" by Dolly Parton & Emmy Rossum
and the last song performed by Erik, Dreama, and Bunny is called "chopin - nocturne for violin and piano" it is really a good song, if you download it, the piano is Erik, the violin is Dreama and the second violin that doesn't play much is Bunny.
ok thank you for reading so much! thank you and goodnight.
Crystal Lynn A.