“The Great Beyond Near” — Songs of Will T. Massey

for Glynda Cox

Glynda Cox

“One of the greatest moms of the Austin arts scene has died,” her 2008 Austin Chronicle obituary said. With partner Peg Miller, she ran the Chicago House, a coffeehouse-performance space known for hosting up & rising Austin musicians such as David Rodriguez, Jimmy LaFave, Bobby Bridger, Tish Hinojosa, Slaid Cleaves — and Will T. Massey. When Glynda died, Will co-hosted her memorial celebration w fellow musician, Betty Elders, where many stories were shared. Someone told of first meeting her, as she flashed her glorious smile, saying, “Hi, I’m Glynda — like the Good Witch.” Leaning in with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she added, “But I’m still a witch.”

Miss you, Glynda.

These are some blues.
I heard the news
That a friend of mine was gone.
Peaceful in the night,
Her soul took flight
For the Great Beyond.

And I struggled to find
Peace of mind
But I only found more woe.
She was one of the best,
Apart from the rest,
And young when she had to go.

And for her, somehow,
I’m holding back a tear —
As I see her now
In the Great Beyond near.

They say I’m insane
And dismiss my brain,
But it only makes me write.
So many songs,
They say so long
Even though they think they’re right.

She never thought
I was slightly off,
And she taught me how to survive
In a cruel world of
Fleeting love,
And a short time of being alive.

And for her, somehow,
I’m holding back a tear —
As I see her now
In the Great Beyond near.

Life goes by like a summer breeze.
Love comes down to memories.
She was kind, like a cup of joe,
Free to drifters at an amateur show.

She’d say, “Be strong,
Even though it’s wrong
That the good times have to end.”
Nothing can touch
My heart too much
In the place of my dear friend.

She’d say, “Toughen up,”
And fill my cup
With coffee to make the night.
Braced against the blues,
With more to to lose,
From her I sense a fight.

And for her, somehow,
I’m holding back a tear —
As I see her now
In the Great Beyond near.

And for her, somehow,
I’m holding back a tear —
As I see her now
In the Great Beyond near.