Luckily both Seth and I prefer two lane black top over the Interstate. So we took Hwy 51 to and from the ABANA Conference in Memphis. The photographs seen below were created on the way home “…up Wisconsin way…” in Historic Cairo, IL (which has the highest child poverty in Illinois); at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. And a slide show with more photographs from Hwy 51.
“…my baby’s door
Highway 51 runs right by my baby’s door
If I don’t get the girl I’m loving
(click images for larger view)
Won’t go down to Highway 51 no more.
Well, I know that highway like I know my hand
Yes, I know that highway like I know the back of my hand
Running from up Wisconsin way down to no man’s land.
Well, if I should die before my time should come
And if I should die before my time should come
Won’t you bury my body out on the Highway 51.
Highway 51 runs right by my baby’s door
I said, Highway 51 runs right by my baby’s door
If I don’t get the girl I’m loving
Won’t go down to Highway 51 no more.”
—lyrics © Bob Dylan
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Excellent photos, George. There must be at least two other Highway 51 blues – the first by Curtis Jones that Bob Dylan picked up on, and one other I have a recording of (somewhere) but can’t recall.
Ken Carney