The Preacher Robbed the Church to go to Sin City
October 14, 2009
Benjamin wrote a song - and it’s a song that requires a little bit of an introduction:
Remember the story about Benjamin’s banjo? Well, there is a bit we didn’t tell you about.
When Benjamin wrote us with the sad news that his instruments had been stolen from a church jam session we knew we just had to do something – but Crisfield is so far away from Utah so Dear Old Dad decided to talk to the preacher.
Turns out the preacher was on his way to Vegas. That struck both of us as kind of funny.
“Preacher, your church has been robbed!”
“Whoo! I’m going to Vegas!”
Anyway, after playing phone-tag for a couple of days Dear Old Dad did manage to track the preacher down. The conversation struck Dad as a little forced. Apparently the preacher wasn’t sure if he was talking to Benjamin’s banjo teacher or the police.
Even though the situation struck us as a little odd our friend needed something to play so we packed up the Silvertone for Benjamin and figured the story ended there.
A couple of days later we got a call from Benjamin telling us the preacher had been arrested. Turns out he had stolen the instruments with the help of some friends and pawned them in Vegas.
Here is the best part: it was Dear Old Dad’s call that scared the preacher’s girlfriend into going to the police!
This morning Benjamin sent us this song:
Patrick & DoD,
I was loving how easy this instruments plays and how well it responds to my old hand carved Frankenstein Banjo. I was messing with this tune and this is what I came up with.
Regards,
Banjoman
The Preacher Robbed the Church to go to Sin City
MP3: http://tangiersound.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/the-preacher-went-to-sin-city.mp3
There was a Sunday when I went to service.
I never go to Church I‘ve always been nervous.
I answered a flyer for a Church jam out.
Picked up the melody played like a devout.
Chorus:
The jamming was Awesome we all had soul.
We all sang and played in praise and extol.
We went to Breakfast, the church had been locked.
We all went to eat and never gave a second thought.
Back at Church after Sunday School,
The doors to the chapel were pry’ed with a tool.
The Police were called for an investigation.
Our instruments were gone without an explanation.
Chorus:
The jamming was Awesome we all had soul.
We all sang and played in praise and extol.
We went to Breakfast, the church had been locked.
We all went to eat and never gave a second thought.
I went home with a hundred bucks.
I really miss my banjo, man, this really sucks.
I wrote Pat & Patrick, they wanted to call Pastor.
They called the man of cloth to hear this disaster.
Chorus II:
I could’ve been jamming could’ve had soul.
Instruments in Vegas, ‘cause the Preacher went and Stole.
Patrick titled this perfectly the name for this song .
The Preacher Robbed the Church to go to Sin City.
A couple days later the preacher was in jail.
My Banjo was hawked, and I’d like to ‘ave frail.
This song’s not about real jackass.
but thanks to 3 guys so I play more bluegrass.
Chorus III:
Now I can jam Preacher can atone
while I Frail on this longneck Silvertone
October 14, 2009 at 8:04 am
That’s perfect! Plus you posted my all time favorite Blues Brothers clip which, even though I repeat to anyone with almost no provocation whatsoever, all I ever get back is a blank stare.
October 14, 2009 at 10:39 am
1. It would appear that what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessiarly stay in Vegas.
2. No good deed goes unpunished.
3. If they need a special prosecutor; I will be glad to make the trip. The hypocricy simply astounds.
4. Stunning result. In these parts if a case is closed by arrest the notes in the police file read “closed exceptional” I guess that means that it is exceptional when a property crime gets solved.
5. There’s another song in this. “Let the punishment fit the crime, the crime, let the punisment fit the crime!”
6. A well done to the crime fighting team of Pat and Patrick! You guys need some sort of super hero tucker.
October 14, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Great to hear you up and playing Ben.
Pick your preacher with care. I reckon Father Keith and Pastor Roy should be safe enough though.
PS —–How did I get on with your riddle?
October 14, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Nice Song I like it.
October 14, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What a GREAT story, and song!!! That is what makes folk music. We may be hearing this song 50 years from now….
October 14, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Brilliant, Banjoman, brilliant!
My wish, that whoever stole the instruments might develop a love of music, will not be fulfilled, but you have given the story a great finale in the way of a genuine folk song.
Thank you, Banjoman, and thank you Patrick and Dear Old Deputy Dad.
October 14, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for all the comments. It’s always embarrassing, but enjoyable seeing what others think.
I was trying not to laugh when I was recording, I thought this would be comical to write a song about. I was messing around with Cripple Creek’s tune and I wanted to make it sound more Blue’s style with the glass slide. Then I starting typing out the lyrics. I’m glad that it came out somewhat like a song should…
This situation was ridiculous and Greg & the Costello’s made this story have a great ending. I’ve been messing around with the Silvertone a ton, and I can’t believe how well a ‘real’ Banjo plays.
How incredibly inspiring is this group of people that are sharing their talents and making things happen that normally wouldn’t happen? What a great group of Folks!
Thanks
October 14, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Hi Benjamin
Great song. I”m sorry your other banjo was stolen, but thanks to Greg, Dear Old Dad and Patrick you have a beautiful wonderful sounding banjo. Is that song in standard tuning? I love that song, what a true folk song. Great playing!
Musically,
Marissa
,
October 14, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hey Marissa,
I tuned it to a standard tuning for a long neck. I haven’t invested yet in a capo, and I really like how low it sounds being 3 frets longer than standard. Which to my advantage, I think if I were in standard tuning I would have sounded like a Vienna Choir Boy. I have a difficult time trying to sing with standard tuning of open G.
Thanks for the great comments!
Benjamin
October 14, 2009 at 8:37 pm
A story so bizarre it would only make sense to tell it in song. A great song at that, too!
October 15, 2009 at 5:40 am
My apologies! My profound apologies!
I inadvertently missed thanking Greg for his part in this great outcome. He was truly generous.