Happy Birthday John

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There are moments that you remember when it comes to siblings.

Growing up, my brother John and I were always together. Being 11 months apart will do that for you.

I sometimes listen in as my sons debate things back and forth and there's nothing more comforting than to hear them battle back and forth and then laugh.

Nothing feels better than blood on blood.

I recall listening to Springsteen early on and I discovered some of the brilliance of the writing, with my siblings.We were all amazed that Bruce was talking about a lot of the things we were talking about.

We could all see this scenario play out in a close family.

Thankfully none of us were ever trying to escape the law and none of us were of the mindset to commit such a crime, but the family message was clear.

I recall listening to the song early on with my siblings.

Amazing twist.

We all knew that we'd do much the same thing as Joe Roberts does here.

We'd watch the tail-lights disappear.

This is a favorite of John's.

Happy Birthday, brother!

Highway Patrolman - Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska record.

My name is Joe Roberts I work for the state
I'm a sergeant out of Perrineville barracks number Eight
I always done an honest job as honest as I could
I got a brother named Franky and Franky ain't no good

Now ever since we was young kids it's been the same come down
I get a call over the radio Franky's in trouble downtown
Well if it was any other man, I'd put him straight away
But when it's your brother sometimes you look the other way

Me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good

Well Franky went in the army back in 1965 I got a farm deferment settled down took Maria for my wife
But them wheat prices kept on droppin' till it was like we were gettin' robbed
Franky came home in '68 and me I took this job

Yea we're laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin', teach him how to walk that line
Man turns his back on his family he ain't no friend of mine

The night was like any other, I got a call 'bout quarter to nine
There was trouble in a roadhouse out on the Michigan line
There was a kid lyin' on the floor lookin' bad, bleedin' hard from his head.
There was a girl cryin' at a table and it was Frank they said
Well I went out and I jumped in my car and I hit the lights
I must of done a hundred and ten through Michigan county that night

It was out at the crossroads down round Willow bank
Seen a Buick with Ohio plates and behind the wheel was Frank
Well I chased him through them county roads till a sign said Canadian border five miles from here
I pulled over the side of the highway and watched his taillights disappear

Me and Franky laughin' and drinkin' nothin' feels better than blood on blood
Takin' turns dancin' with Maria as the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood"
I catch him when he's strayin' like any brother would
Man turns his back on his family well he just ain't no good

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