Dangerous Combinations

Day 39: Elleguacita

I went down to the crossroad
fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroad
fell down on my knees

-Robert Johnson

Oh Robert Johnson you didn’t sell your soul to the Devil at all, those silly people thought you did but oh no.  You just made a pact with my dear old Daddy, Ellegua, Papa Legba guardian of the crossroads.  Did you bring three pennies too? I hear he tuned your guitar for you.

I heard you had a keen ear Mr. Johnson and that that you and Willie Brown sat on tombstones writing music.  That you and Willie Brown imitated styles until you came up with your own.  You had your own bottleneck slide now didn’t you?

And where are you buried now Mr Johnson? This first grave or the second? Sonny Boy Williamson told you not to drink from the open whiskey but you paid him no mind.  So tell me Robert Johnson, was it a curse like they said? Or did that Devil do you in?

Early this mornin’
When you knocked upon my door
Early this mornin’, ooh
When you knocked upon my door
And I said, “Hello Satan,
I believe it’s time to go.”

“Me And The Devil Blues” - Robert Johnson

My Father the Trickster

One day Ellegua came into the marketplace and announced, “Take care where you place your feet, there is danger on the road today.”

Then Ellegua went to the crossroads and lined the path with banana peels in all directions.  He stood on the corner and waited.

Along came a young man who asked, “May I pass safely?”  Ellegua said, “Yes.”  The young man stepped into the crossroads and, slipped on a banana peel, and busted his lip.  Ellegua laughed.

Next a young woman came to the crossroads and asked, “May I pass safely across the road?”  Ellegua said, “Yes” and escorted the lady across the road.  Then Ellegua cried.

Ellegua stood at the crossroads and asked Himself, “May I pass safely?”  Ellegua said, “Yes.”  He stepped on a banana peel, fell down, and broke his leg.

Then Ellegua danced with great agility.

-Jambalaya by Luisa Teisch

Eleggua and I have been making some serious plans.  This should be interesting.


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