FAWM Track 3: Oakridge

by Flo on March 4, 2009

Oakridge

Title Submitted By: The Boothe Family

Their comment included this bit about a woman who survived the fire:

…Ruth Kamke, 84, had noticed the glow in the sky late Friday night and immediately started gathering her belongings — clothes, cash and her husband’s ashes — and packing them into her 1973 mint-condition yellow-and-black Camaro. As she worked, the power flickered off and on. She used her cane to get around.

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Click Here to Download Oakridge

Oakridge Lyrics

Hold on, hold on tight
Pray, oh pray all night
Little red embers of light
Shining like stars in the sky

Blazing breezes, they blow
From the south and the east as they glow
I want to believe in a God who will save
But the breath of the devil is blowing my way

So fly with the ashes
Fly far from here
Look back and watch
A whole life disappear
84 years
All of it gone, baby gone

Where now, oh where is my rest
Lift, oh lift up your head
Hope is a drop in the oceans of doubt
But it catches like fire and it won’t be put out

So fly with the ashes
Fly far from here
Look back and see
Your whole life disappear
84 years
All of it gone, baby gone

Rain down
Won’t you rain down
Send your rain down
Won’t you send your rain down

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Brian Nielsen March 7, 2009 at 9:58 pm

Favorite lyrics:
“I want to believe in a God who will save
But the breath of the devil is blowing my way”

Another nicely done one!

Reply

Meg March 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm

this has a faint “lean on me” and hymn feel. i really like it.

Reply

Cameron Ingalls March 5, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Amazing… LOVE it!

Reply

Boothe Family March 4, 2009 at 11:18 pm

Oh yes, and for those who have or will ask, here is the story that so moved me to request this tribute from our dear and loved one here:

In Sylmar, an entire community goes up in flames

Of Oakridge’s 600 mobile homes, 501 were destroyed and at least 40 were badly damaged. Even firefighters were forced to leave as the flames grew so intense, they burned fire hoses into the cement.
By Louis Sahagun James Wagner and Jason Song
November 16, 2008
“Prepare yourselves for the worst,” Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the crowd of frightened, exhausted people who had been evacuated early Saturday from Sylmar’s Oakridge Mobile Home Park. “I don’t have good news.”

As some of the 200 evacuees wept nearby, Ruda held up a charred, tattered flag. “Let this American flag be a sign of hope,” he said, choking up…”
Link to article from Los Angelas Times

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Boothe Family March 4, 2009 at 11:12 pm

Wow Flo. I made it just about three words in before tearing up. You have done beautifully. Thank you so much for inviting us (your family friends and fans) to take an active roll in suggesting events or topics for your songs. I am sure the lovely woman who lived these words would be honored by your tribute. Bless you Flo Paris-Oakes.

Bless you and your dear loving family.

Steven, Linda, Eliana, and Liliana Boothe

Reply

Wendy Davis March 4, 2009 at 11:50 am

ooooh, miss flo you are good!

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Marlaina March 4, 2009 at 10:44 am

You sound beautiful! Nice arrangement! Sad words! Was that a true story?

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mandythompson March 4, 2009 at 10:07 am

Nice.
In so many ways.
Imagery – melody – simple accompaniment… Rhymes… Nice.

Reply

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