Probably my favorite song. Jabo and I were in a band called “Judy Judy Judy” with our musical sister, K.D. Novak. Together with other friends, we were putting on a Fantasy Prom – to make up for the traumatic prom experiences most of us had had in our youths. Four days before the prom, as we drove to rehearse with our other band, “The Cooties”, we crossed a railroad track. We started talking about how ironic it would be if Judy Judy Judy were killed in the classic teen song tragedy. I called dibs on writing the song. But, as with all of our collaborations, it was a co-creation. The real tragedy is that this song cannot be performed without all three of us. And with K.D. now living in Oregon, it is rarely heard. But I do believe it was inspired by the heavenly host of prom angels – and by Elvis.
Here we are together on the night of the prom
Now gather ‘round and listen and we’ll sing you a song
It’s a song about three friends who will never come back
It’s about rock ‘n’ roll…
And a railroad track.
It was just four days before that special night
Their hearts were happy and their hopes were bright
On their way to choir (Cootie) practice, or so they had planned
But they ended up singing in the angel band.
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Won’t you sing with us tonight?
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Even though you’re out of sight.
One was a king and one was a queen
And one was the girl who had the prom dream
Their names were all Judy, but no one knows why
Oh, Judy, Judy, Judy, can angels really fly?
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Won’t you sing with us tonight?
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
In your wings so pure and white.
Some say they were reckless, some say they were high
Some say they were crazy, but that’s a big fat lie!
The truth is they were singing a rock ‘n’ roll refrain
With their voices raised together, they just didn’t hear the train.
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Won’t you sing with us tonight?
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Do your halos fit all right?
So now you know the story about our three friends
Of how they sang together and how they met their ends
And this story has no moral; the evidence is plain
It wasn’t rock ‘n’ roll that killed them
It was a big old train!
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
We’d love to sing with you!
Prom Angels, Prom Angels, Prom Angels
Is Elvis up there, too?
Love me tender
Love me sweet
Never let me go.
(Written May 19, 1982)
© Pat and Jerry Grigadean, 1998
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