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East T-STEM's McKenna Hall Finalist for Memphis Soul Prize

More about the prize: https://www.memphissoulprize.org/about

That Great Memphis Wind || McKenna Hall || East

It’s been felt forever and will forevermore:
That Great Memphis Wind that warms the core.
It sways giddy couples to the beat
As soul singers bring them to their feet.
It whips through the hair of pedestrians walking
Along the scenic Big River Crossing.
It swirls its way into everyone’s nose
The scent of barbeque, savory and exposed.
It urges us forward on the great street of Beale,
Home to the Flippers, A. Schwab’s, and many a good meal.
It brings relief to the sweaty festival-goers
That blaze all night and refuse to go slower.

 

It’s been felt forever and will forevermore:
That Great Memphis Wind from years of lore.
It sang with B.B. King as he got his start
On Beale, growing the Blues as an art.
It was felt by Elvis when he graced
Our sweet town with his Graceland gates.
It spread the message of Dr. King
As he worked until the end, so freedom would ring.
It blew through Handy’s trumpet, steady and sure
With a sound so sad, yet so strong and pure.
It carried the sound from Johnny Cash’s perch
As he first shared his talents at Galloway Church.

 

It’s been felt forever and will forevermore:
That Great Memphis Wind that makes the heart soar.
It brings about giggles from curious tots
As they race for a peak of the Peabody ducks.
It flies with kiddos as they climb up high
In the Children’s Museum’s maze into the sky.
It laughs with teens until they grow hoarse
In the newly refurbished Crosstown Concourse.
It inspires adults as they critique every restaurant
On Madison Avenue, just as they want.

 

It’s been felt forever and will forevermore:
That Great Memphis Wind with its great mighty roar.