preparing for that ol' bass magic once again

It's 58 and the body ain't so great
Lots of dust settling from a past darkly
So many bridges burned and in the dust
But we are here, my army of me

Ready to return to the Garden of 5-string heaven
Way back when when I heard the tunes
Getting stoned behind the wheel
A youth turned to Navy to turn me around.

Then the bass first appeared but only for a short while

Years later I tried to buy my dream and learned the trade
In the woods to videos I played
Then in '88 just like today
A disabled guitar player Vietnam veteran passed my way

He heard me play and started my ride
But I failed and ran on by
Bounced around and ended up
Getting Saved by the Grateful Dead

I was that talented problem child
Many years have passed on by
I served in the Army of me
Trying to find a way to set me free

Now today after so many years
Since I got my break in a two-night gig
I'm heading to Tillamook Oregon
To see if the old body will let me finger the old bass I found here.

I've done a lot of music
I've seen a lot of things
But like folks here mentioned in their bands
I was one of those problem musicians.

I'm an American Veteran.
Just peacetime navy
A twist of fate in Japan
Led me to all that I became

I am disabled, another bipolar something
The gift that paid my way
So I didn't have to be a rock star
That was my dream before I got sober in '94

I just want to serve and lend a hand
I really don't understand
Play for folks
Who really can't fully comprehend

I was so selfish
Look at me I'm great
But now I am old
It may be too late.

Play for your God
Play for your love
Play for whatever
That comes from above

Yes I'll dust off those strings one more time
Play rock and roll with an old vet like me
See if the magic still lies in the machine
That Jerry Dorsch built after his Dead scene

"Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again." (The Who, from the 1970's)

I've sailed on the ship of fools for so long
Time to disembark and reach a wiser shore
Nobody's fault but mine
Victim or the crime.

It's been a great gift coming to this website
I guess it's destiny to come home to the land of bass
I hope I can serve well
Only time will tell.

Thanks to all of you
Dreamers of rock and jazz and blues
You all know more than I do
But we're all in the middle just passing through

I'll let you know how my 3 o'clock encounter goes.
GGS 5-string bass with a little fender studio amp and a fancy mic stand.
Long train running...without love, where would you be now? (Doobie Brothers 70s)
That's what the old guy played on the phone to see if I knew it. I did.

Thanks. Best wishes to all.