Last Sunday morning, the sunshine felt like rain
The week before, they all seemed the same
With the help of God and true friends, I've come to realize
I still have two strong legs and even wings to fly
So I ain't wastin' time no more
'Cause time goes by like hurricanes and faster things
Well, Lord, Lord, Miss Sally, why are you cryin'?
Been around here three long days, lookin' like you're dyin'
Go step yourself outside and look up at the stars above
And go on downtown, baby, find somebody to love
Meanwhile, I ain't wastin' time no more
'Cause time goes by like pourin' rain and much faster things
You don't need no gypsy to tell you why
You can't let one precious day slip by
Well, look inside yourself, and if you don't see what you want
Maybe sometimes then ya don't
But leave your mind alone and we'll all get by
~ Gregg Allman
Once again, my Facebook newsfeed is full of pictures and commentary on the death of another rock legend. Gregg Allman died yesterday afternoon. I was enjoying live music at an outdoor concert venue when I heard the news, and I could not help but recall the first time I saw The Allman Brothers. It was in July 1973 at another outdoor concert venue, Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, a weekend festival featuring The Grateful Dead and The Band, along with The Allman Brothers. Duane Allman had already been gone nearly two years, having died in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971.
Shortly after Duane's death, his grieving brother Gregg completed "Ain't Wastin' Time No More," and it was recorded that December to be included on 1972's Eat a Peach, perhaps the most known Allman Brothers album. While some of the tracks on Eat a Peach included Duane's participation, the album was finished minus that brother.
And now we are minus another brother. Gregg had been having health issues in recent years, so his death comes as no surprise. I have been to recent incarnations of ABB, and while Gregg's presence was important, he seemed willing to lend star attention to Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks and others. But Haynes and Trucks both left the band in early 2014, and the remaining ABB played their final concert at the Beacon Theatre in NYC on October 28 of that year.
The video attached to this post is from Gregg's solo performance in January 2014 captured on Live: Back to Macon GA. I think it's a beautiful performance of the song, one that now takes on a bit more urgency. At the time of his death, Gregg Allman was not quite three years older than I am right now. At this age, I take nothing for granted. I have a long bucket list, and despite the fact that I have been regularly crossing items off that list, somehow the list continues to grow. I still have two strong legs and even wings to fly has become my mantra.
But you don't have to be my age to take wisdom from the song. How much time do we all "waste" on television, on cellphones, on drama, on consumerism? How much time are we wasting while our planet, our morals, and our security are all being compromised every single day by the greed and lack of compassion demonstrated by our government? You can't let one precious day slip by.
By all accounts, Gregg Allman was a kind, gentle, and loving human being. He spent his life providing music for us to enjoy. We owe it to his legacy to heed the messages he embedded in his songs and to pass them along.
We'll raise our children in the peaceful way we can
It's up to you and me, brother
To try and try again
We ain't wasting' time no more
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