Statue of a Fool

Listening to some old songs today the song, Statue of a Fool, came on. Instantly I was taken back in time to when I was a carhop at A&W in a little foothill town in California during my high school years.

My boss, Mr. D (as he was called) was a gruff, large, older man with a deeply creviced face that I suspect wasn't from hard work as much as it was from hard drinking, smoking, and what I believe was a past that best not be delved into. He had a booming voice that scared you with language to match. He'd say I was like a daughter he never had and he was more civil to me than he was to many others. I liked him but very much disliked him at the same time.

I'd often close up at night and after the receipts were added up I would go out and clear tables, wash the mugs and vacuum the carpet. He'd come out and sit at a cafe table next to the juke box and pinball machines and punch in "Statue of a Fool". He'd sit there, staring out the window into the darkness, smoking, his eyes squinted until the song ended. Then he would just sit there in silence. I'd say goodnight and give a wave as I pulled out of the parking lot.

He played that song every night. He would have the jukebox company change the other songs but made them keep that one.

That lonely, unhappy man must have had some memories from a time long past that must have haunted him. I think the song lyrics must say it all.

Statue of a Fool
By Jack Green
Somewhere there should be for all the world to see a statue of a fool made of stone
An image of a man who let love slip through his hands
And then just let him stand there all alone
And there on his face a gold tear should be placed
To honor the million tears he's cried
And the hurt in his eyes would show so everyone would know
Concealed is a broken heart inside
So build a statue and oh build it high so that all can see
Then inscribe the World's Greatest Fool and name it after me
midi file here so you can recognize the tune for anyone who doesn't know this "oldie".