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Rhody's Elephant

from The Gift by Clary Croft

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lyrics

Rhody’s Elephant

Clary Croft. ©2008, Wedge Island Publishing, SOCAN

It was a hot August in the 1980s and a tired, old circus came to Sherbrooke while I was working at the Village singing folk songs. At night, my wife, Sharon, and I would often go for a walk that took us by the home of a lovely lady named Rhoda Brigley - whom everyone affectionately called Rhody. This is the true story of an amazing friendship.

The circus lumbered into town and set up in the ball field
Its glory days had passed away, the big top was no more
The lion dozing in his cage had long ago lost all his rage
The python yawned his toothless jaws,
The camel’s hump was sagged.

But one alone stood tall and proud, majestic head above the crowd
An ancient, wizened elephant, the squire of his domain
They tethered him near Rhody’s door,
A creature she’d not seen before
Except in scrapbooks filled with dreams of things she longed to share.

But now, here was an elephant, Rhody had an elephant,
Rhody and her elephant, a most unlikely pair.

From miles around they came to see this tired, old menagerie
While Rhody sitting on her porch enjoyed a ring side view;
This gentle lady, since a girl had dreamed of travel round the world,
While he who wandered all his life longed only for a home.

And now he was her elephant, Rhody had an elephant,
Rhody and her elephant, a friendship all their own.

The day grew long and evening fell, the carrousel stopped turning,
The living curiosities fell into repose;
Except for one who kept his guard watching over Rhody’s yard
While on her porch she rocked and kept his company alone.

And late at night, when friends walked by to say goodnight to Rhody,
And mention it was growing late, she might be getting tired
“Oh no”, said she, “I’ll stay outdoors, I’ve never known his kind before;
For one night he’s my elephant, I’ll keep him company.”

Oh Rhody and her elephant, Rhody and her elephant,
Rhody and her elephant, contented as could be.

The circus lumbered out of town and left an empty ballfield .......

credits

from The Gift, released April 20, 2021

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Clary Croft Nova Scotia

Clary is a folklore researcher, author and recording artist. His newly published memoirs, Clary Croft: My Charmed Life in Music, Art, and Folklore, chronicles a career spanning over fifty years. His work with the traditional music from the Creighton Collection, has caused Clary to be called, “the acknowledged master of one of the richest repertoires in Canada.” [Halifax Mail Star] ... more

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