I forgot quite how much I loved this song until today. It usually pops up when I put iTunes on shuffle, but lately I’ve been selecting individual artists and putting them on shuffle, so Marc’s taken a backseat. But today, here he is! And what a great version this is; it’s from Join the Parade (Live).

“Walking in Memphis” recounts a visit Marc took to Memphis in 1986. Much of what he mentions I’m sure you can recognize easily — Elvis, Graceland, W.C Handy, Beale Street. But what about that last part? You know the one I mean; the one at the end that’s bound to give you chills:

Now Muriel plays piano, Every Friday at the Hollywood, And they brought me down to see her, And they asked me if I would — Do a little number, And I sang with all my might, And she said — “Tell me are you a Christian child?”, And I said “Ma’am I am tonight”.

To many people’s surprise, a gospel singer named Muriel, Muriel Wilkins to be exact, did in fact play the piano every Friday night at The Hollywood Cafe, and was Marc’s inspiration for writing “Walking in Memphis”.

Marc had been invited by Dr. Frank Witherspoon, a long time friend of Muriel’s, to come visit him in Memphis and then go down to Robinsonville to meet a sweet lady that played piano and sang. Marc Cohn remembers having to sit close to Muriel as she played that night in 1986 because she was unaccompanied by any amplification. During a break they began talking and she asked him to tell her about himself. He explained his life story and that his mother had died at an early age and how he seemed to be in a rut with regards to his writing. During her next set, she asked him if he would join her on stage. Muriel sang “Amazing Grace” a capella and asked him if he would do the same. Then she asked him to sing some songs with her, whispering in his ear the lyrics that he did not know. Marc recalls that before leaving around two a.m., Muriel “whispered things to me about my mother. Then she told me it was time for me to move on.”

Delta Magazine said, “Webster’s defines graciousness as being marked by tact and delicacy, kindness and courtesy, charm, good taste and generosity of spirit. Muriel Wilkins was all of the above and more. She began playing the piano and singing in Sunday School when she was three years old. She continued to practice that never-ending love of hers for 64 more years.”

One of her favorite quotes — “You must be ALL that you can be”.

As for The Hollywood itself, it serves up a classic Southern menu, complete with Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Catfish & Frog Legs. And if you ever go be sure to save room for dessert — Blackberry Cobbler! That would just about hit the spot right now.

Enjoy the song.