David ackles “down river”
from:david Ackles, 1968
‘
“It's a mystery to me why his wonderful songs are not better known.”
Elvis Costello
In 1967 Elektra Records started their Nonesuch Explorer Series, which went on to become a hugely successful series of worldwide ethnic recordings. Elektra had had considerable success with their Nonesuch Classical music label and their folk based Elektra label, but in the mid-sixties they began to branch out by signing such acts asPaul Butterfield, The Doors, Love, the Incredible String Band, the Stooges, MC5, Earth Opera, Clear Light, Ars Nova, Bread and an impressive list of singer songwriters including Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs, Tom Rush, Tim Buckley, Paul Siebel and perhaps least known, David Ackles. Down River is the story of a recently released prisoner communicating with his former girlfriend.
-Alan West-
“Good to see you again Rosy
I know I’ve changed a lot since then
But your looking fine babe
Three years that ain’t long Rosy
But I still remember our song
When you were my mine babe
Times change
Times change I know
But it sure goes slow
Down river
When your locked away
Hey why didn’t you write Rosy
I stayed awake most every night
Counting my time babe
Oh no I ain’t mad Rosy
I know you had to mind your dad
But just a line babe
Oh sure I remember Ben
Why we went all through school
Is that right?
Well he ain’t no fool
He’s a good man Rosy
You hold him tight as you can
Don’t ask me why babe
Yeah nice seeing you Rosy
Me I got things to do
Well goodbye babe
Times change
Times change I know
But it sure goes slow
Down river
When your locked away
Times change
Times change I know
But it sure goes slow
Down river
When your locked away
Rosy hey Rosy
My babe
”
