I met the father of the family in this story one night at a gig and, following his recommendation, read the intensely moving book, “The Boy In Seven Billion”, by Callie Blackwell and Karen Hockney. This is my version of the story of a boy who, while getting to grips with a world experienced through an autistic filter, developed leukaemia and later a second cancer. He was not expected to reach his eleventh birthday, let alone his fourteenth when he ran from the hospice four weeks after being given three days to live. I sang this song in public for the first time with the whole family unexpectedly present on his eighteenth birthday. Being able to be together may have been a most amazing gift for the family, but trying out the song was an expected gift for me, specially since I hadn't planned to sing the song that night. The greatest compliment was paid by Callie who observed that I really had read the book very closely. It was one of those I simply could not put down.
The reference to the enchiladas comes into the story when Deryn is released from hospital to celebrate his eleventh birthday with his family at a favourite Mexican restaurant where he was determined to finish the whole meal.
"Damn you, enchiladas," Deryn muttered as he glared at the few leftovers on his plate. "I'll get you next time." (from "The Boy In Seven Billion" by Callie Blackwell and Karen Hockney)
Given a lead-in like that, the song demanded to be written. Naturally there had to be a Latin feel to the music.
lyrics
Many songs are sung of life and loves both won and lost
Celebration of the living seems to come at such a cost.
But when Mama told your story it was hard to stem the tears
At the bravery and the wisdom of a man so few in years.
Damn you! Damn you, enchiladas!
You may have won this time, but I shall beat you next time round.
Chemotherapy has made a shadow out of me,
But I shall beat you.
Damn you, enchiladas!
Where do ideas come from when we haven’t read great minds
Sharing words of comfort when it wasn’t yet your time.
You shared the love of ancestors who reached you through thin air.
The wonder of their being was that only you saw them there.
Damn you! Damn you, enchiladas!
You may have won this time, but I shall beat you next time round.
Chemotherapy has made a shadow out of me,
But I shall beat you.
Damn you, enchiladas!
Sickness stole your childhood and the treatment stole your youth.
But George took on the dragon after digging up some truth
And planted in that hole some seeds of hope that grew so tall.
Against the odds the oil of life was burning after all.
Damn you! Damn you, enchiladas!
You may have won this time, but I shall beat you next time round.
Chemotherapy has made a shadow out of me,
But I shall beat you.
Damn you, enchiladas!
Papa saw you smiling and your foot began to tap
At the songs of this cock crowing with his sounds that overlap.
This was something massive when such sounds could leave you cold.
From three days left to audience was something to behold!
Damn you! Damn you, enchiladas!
You may have won this time, but I shall beat you next time round.
Chemotherapy has made a shadow out of me,
But I shall beat you.
Damn you, enchiladas!
(Music and lyrics by Marshlander - all rights reserved)
credits
from Head Above Water,
released May 1, 2019
Marshlander: vocal, guitar, harmonica, drums, percussion
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