There is a beauty and a sadness in the shadows cast across the mountains and valley. The shadows glide over the trees and turn the leaves from green to a bluish hue. 

I learned just recently that Jim Waive suddenly passed away. A local music legend, not many years older than I am. Years ago I sat in the Blue Moon Diner as he belted out lyrics to the song Blue Shadow as well as many other favorites – The Likes of You, Why I Hunt, House of Ghosts, Fool, Cross Eyed Bear, Bend.

When I learned a month or so ago that Jim Waive would begin a recurring Wednesday evening show at the Batesville store that is just down the road from us I was thrilled. Last month Ben and I sat in the old country store as he swayed and smiled at the small crowd on a Wednesday evening. His kind eyes sparkled as he stood strumming his guitar.

I am shocked he is gone. I don’t know what happened, but I am so thankful I got to listen to him sing in the cozy comfort of the old store singing along to his well crafted, meaningful, and sometimes playful lyrics. Rest in peace. 

Blue Shadow – Jim Waive

Won’t you look into my eyes

Maybe there you’ll see 

What I’m trying to talk about 

What I’m trying to be

Won’t you look into my eyes

Maybe there you’ll see 

The other side of midnight 

The other side of me

I walked along the river

I walked along the tracks

Walked a million miles

And I ain’t never coming back

See I have lived forever

A hundred times I died

I have loved a hundred times

And a hundred times I cried

You can’t make me go back there

When I don’t want to go

When you know there’s nothing left

Nothing but blue shadow

Nothing but blue shadow

Blue shadow calling

Calling me home

I’m going to walk that lonesome valley all alone

All alone

I’m coming home

So choose your friends wisely

Choose them well my friend

They’re the only ones be standing with you at the end

I walked that lonesome valley

I walked it all alone

Walked it till my feet were broke 

and I was shivering to the bone

You can’t make me go back there

When I don’t want to go

When you know there’s nothing left

Nothing but blue shadow

Nothing but blue shadow