From the recording Tangle of Souls (2020)
A re-write of a Richard Blakeslee song from the 40s, with a new verse about the Chilean singer, songwriter, theatre director, activist, and martyr Víctor Jara.
Liz Frencham - bass, harmony vocals
Bramwell Park - mandolin, harmony vocals
Kat Mear - fiddle, harmony vocals
Pete Fidler - dobro
Scott Cook - vocal, guitar
Lyrics
Passin’ through, passin’ through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through
I saw Adam leave the garden with an apple in his hand
Said, “Now you’re out, what are you gonna do?”
“Plant some crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little Cain
I’m an orphan now and I’m only passin’ through”
Passin’ through, passin’ through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through
I asked Christ on his cross on a hill called Calvary
“Do you hate mankind for what they done to you?”
He said, “Speak of love, not of hate, so much to do and it’s getting late
I’ve so little time and I’m only passing through”
Passin’ through, passin’ through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through
I was at Roosevelt’s side on the night before he died
He said, “One world must come out of World War II” (bless his heart!)
“All creeds and colours, every one’s a father’s daughter, a mother’s son
We’re all on one road and we’re only passin’ through”
Passin’ through, passin’ through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through
They broke the hands of Victor Jara and then told him to play guitar
In Chile Stadium after the coup
And though they beat him and they mocked him,
he kept singing ‘til they shot him
“Hasta victoria, I’m only passing through”
Passin’ through, passin’ through
Sometimes happy, sometimes blue
Glad that I ran into you
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through
Tell the people that you saw me passin’ through