’Twas the night before tour kickoff, when all through the hall
Not a cable was tangled, not one amp left to stall.
The setlists were checked by the stage with great care,
In hopes that the crowd would soon fill every chair.
The band were all nestled, instruments put away,
While visions of spotlights danced through their heads in the day.
And Jason in his hoodie, and the crew in their caps,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap—
When out on the loading dock there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the green room to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and peered through the sash.
The moon on the breast of the fresh-fallen snow
Gave the look of midday to the trucks down below,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a long line of road cases, polished and clear,
With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be our truck.
More rapid than eagles the cases they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Fender! Now Gibson! Now Sonor and Zildjian!
On Marshall! On Mesa! On strings and percussion!
To the top of the stage! To the top of the riser!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away, higher!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the theater the gear cases flew
With a van full of lights and the whole sound crew too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The rolling and thumping of each heavy proof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the loading bay ramp the last road case came with a bound.
He was dressed all in black from his head to his boots,
And his clothes were all dusted with glitter and soot.
A bundle of cables he had flung on his back
And he looked like a roadie just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up in a grin
As he checked every mic stand and tightened each pin.
The stump of a pick he held tight in his teeth
And the lights, they encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work
And checked all the monitors, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the stage stairs he rose.
He sprang to the truck, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight—
“Happy Tour Kickoff to all, and to all a good night!
The rehearsals are over, the wait has been long—
Tomorrow we rock, and the season is on!”
See you on stage… Twelve Twenty-Four