Ten Miles East of Jones

This is for a project about rural America. This is a true story if you can call it a story.

The setting is an old what used to be fish house located about 10 miles due east of Jones LA, in the northeast corner of the state. Every Fri nite when it's warm, a group of older men and women come in, take out their guitars and fiddles and sing the old songs they grew up with.

Some don't hear too good any more, some play out of time, only one microphone, it's hot in the summer, mosquitoes are bad. Sometimes a few locals will stop in and listen. But there is a special spirit that fills that old fish house, one that makes you come out feeling good. Everything has a purpose I suppose. Not like the pickers and singers playing on Broadway in Nashville, but someday, even they, after they are done, may too wander into the fish house east of Jones.

I posted this on the internet about guitars and music as a request for help in putting it in the form of a song. It drew several responses but one in particular jumped right out. It came from David L. Donald from Brignon, Gard, France. David is a gifted musician and song writer, been in the music business most of his life. He and a buddy, Joe Wigfall from an unpronounceable village in Wales recorded it. It's amazing!

This song should be classed as a bit of classic country; Americana.
Here's the song 10 Miles East of Jones  Have a listen.

Lyrics

Friday night and the old folks, would gather to hear
Some songs from their pasts, and roll back the years
They'd sing out as one, on those the old melodies If their timing was poor, it would still leave them pleased

CHORUS :

Down by the stream, 10 miles East of Jones
All the people would gather, to rest all their bones
And hear some good picking, on country guitars
With fiddles and steels, come from near and afar

Round one lonesome microphone, the singers would stand
In the hot summer nights, swatting skeeters by hand
But a joy ous spirit, they would raise with their songs
They left no heart un-warmed, as the stream flowed on

Folks don't hear so good now, some play out of time
Still the old songs sound fine, and most often rhyme
So if ever you roam searching for a feeling of home
Just stop by the old fish house, 10 miles east of Jones

The Stream, Beouf River


The proverbial lonesome microphone


Ye Olde Fish House

The stream is actually the Beouf River the Fish House is close by.