terry allen,”what of Alicia,”
from: juarez, 1975
by Terry Allen
Do you know the most famous or infamous alumni from your high school? My high school, Lower Merion lists Henry Arnold (only person to be a 5 star general in the Army and the Air Force), Chuck Barris (for those old enough to remember the Gong Show), Alexander Haig and Kobe Bryant among many others .Monterey High School in Lubbock Texas lists Terry Allen, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and for basketball fiends, Craig Ehlo. If not familiar with the first four musicians, they could be grouped under Texas Country or Outlaw Country and all were born in the mid 1940s. Allen was trained as an architect and taught for ten years before pursuing his music and his art, which is featured in many museums including the New York Museum of Modern Art and the MET. “What of Alicia” is from his first recording Juarez that was released in 1975.
-Alan West-
“Well he just turned 17
When he left old Abilene
With his bag
And permission from the kin
Yeah but things just weren’t the same
After his Momma signed her name
And let the navy…take him in
[Chorus]
Ahhh
What of Alicia
Española
13 years old
Child of Mexico
An he just turned 19 years
When he learned to face his fears
Of growing up
And acting like a man
He just cocked his sailor cap
Stuck his hands down in his lap
Leaned back and stroked them girls in Japan
Ahhh
What of Alicia
Española
15 years old
Girl of Mexico
An he just turned 23
When he finally took his final leave
Anchored in the port of San Diego
Yeah he met this border girl
An he fancied her body’s curl
So he married her
Then carried her to Colorado
Ahhh
What of Alicia
Española
19 years old
An old woman
But out of Mexico
”
More by T.A.