St. Louis Cyclone Blues

Photo: St. Louis tornado aftermath, Sarah and Cook, 1927. Courtesy of AT&T Archives and History Center.

Lonnie Johnson (with uncredited assistance from Mary Johnson), "St. Louis Cyclone Blues," 1927:

I was sitting in my kitchen
Lookin' way out 'cross the sky
I was sitting in my kitchen
Lookin' out 'cross the sky
I thought the world was ending
I started in to cry.

The wind was howling
The buildings beginnin' to fall
The wind was howlin'
The buildings beginnin' to fall
I seen that mean old twister comin'
Just like a cannonball.

The world was black as midnight
I never heard such a noise before
The world was black as midnight
I never heard such a noise before
Sound like a million lions
When they turn loose their roar.

Oh, people was screamin'
And runnin' every which old away
Oh, people was screamin'
Runnin' every which old away
Lord have mercy on our poor people!
I fell down on my knees
I started in to pray.

The shack where we were living
She reeled and rocked but never fell
Lord, Have mercy!
The shack where we were living
It reeled and rocked but never fell
Have mercy!
How the cyclone spared us
Nobody but the Lord can tell.



Horrifically, St. Louis endured another cyclone/tornado/twister last night, on Earth Day.

Today's Rune: Harvest.