A Gas Man’s Lament

I wrote this song with my husband for my dad in the 80’s during the gas crisis. He was a Phillips 66 dealer.

My name is Dale Keith
A gas man I am
I work all day long
But who gives a damn.
I have 4 lovely children
And a Norwegian wife.
She keeps me well fed
She’s the joy of my life.

Refrain:
Oh petroleum, petroleum
The most beautiful word that
I ever heard is petroleum
Petroleum, petroleum is a gas!

I owned a gas station on the
East side of town.
Twas the busiest station
For miles around.
There were Cadillacs and Buicks
All over the place
now Toyotas And Datsuns
have taken their place.

Refrain:
Oh petroleum, petroleum
The most beautiful word that
I ever heard is petroleum
Petroleum, petroleum is a gas!

Now if you are thinking that
I might regret
This business of mine
Well don’t you fret.
I’ve been through some good times
And I’ve had some bad.
But I’m still making money
And that’s why I am glad for…

Refrain:
Oh petroleum, petroleum
The most beautiful word that
I ever heard is petroleum
Petroleum, petroleum is a gas!

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

this was a fun little song about an unsung hero. im not sure if there was a political message here, but i took for what it is - a man singing about a business he proudly owns.

[Dara]

Hello and thank you! There is a pretty simple story behind the song. I loved your reference to my dad as an “unsung hero”. In our eyes he was and so very proud of the business he had built up for himself. We had so much fun putting the lyrics and melody together.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i had no idea this was about your dad, but yes, i absolutely think that way. we have enough musk and zuckerburg wannabes. it's jobs like this that help run the country.

[Ballpark Frank]

This made me laugh out loud! Awesome!: I get it too. The world's changed so much.

[Dara]

Awesome! I am so happy you got a chuckle from my poem. Yes, I often miss those days. Thank yiu for stopping by. Take care!

[Samuel Dickens]

So well written and tells a good story with great rhymes. My first real job was at a gas station, and it may have been a Philips, but can't recall. Full service, it was, and the boss would chew me out if I missed cleaning a bug on a customer's windshield. I imagine your father was very fond of this poem.

[Dara]

Those were the days! I can see you working the pumps. Both of my brothers were employed doing the same. They really enjoyed it. I don’t know why I didn’t get a chance but back then teenage girls were mainly carhops, which I thoroughly enjoyed. :-D

I am glad you liked my little ditty and could relate. Yes, my dad was quite proud of being written into verse. He would visit his station long after he retired just to get out of the house, lol.

[Dara]

By the way, love your profile picture. It is quite iconic with you standing in front of your car in the background.

[Samuel Dickens]

I did everything at that job. Fixing flats, (including bit truck tires) grease jobs, car detailing. I pumped the gas for the customer, checked the tires, radiator, fan belts, oil, and scrubbed all the windows clean. I cleaned the bathroom each day using the used paper towels from the trash, and he paid me 20 bucks per week! I'd be working my tail off while my buddy across the street at the Conoco was making $50 a week while smoking cigarettes.

[Samuel Dickens]

I was about 21, and home on leave. The car, a 1966 Barracuda, was my pride and joy.

[Dara]

Wow, by the sounds of it you went way over and beyond! I’m not sure that my brothers had to work that hard. I hope you at least got free gas fill ups or something.
That’s a great story behind the photo. It is even better in black and white. You are quite the dashing young man.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha .. i love it Dara! it's so not Woke (my perspective) the war on fossil fuels now does not bode well for gassy people ;) i don't know anything more about your Da but love him instantly .. in '85 huh? .. i do recall those shortages .. as Da's story goes .. we do make it through .. it's probably my own inactivity here but it has been a while since you have posted .. good stuff my friend
E.
https://youtu.be/mREi_Bb85Sk

[Dara]

That was a long time ago wasn’t it?! My Dad was tickled when he heard this song. His gas stations meant a lot to him. I am so glad you enjoyed it and remembered that time as well. Oh and the song was one of my favorites! Thank you for the jaunt down ‘memory lane.’ Will try to write more later. I have had a bit of writer’s block these days.

[Dara]

PS, love that you used ‘Da’ Are you Irish?

[Einstein Noodle]

Yes my luv .. I am .. and thank you for my trip down the lane .. glad you like the song .. it's classic . your Da was a hard working proud American if i am getting the right picture of him .. mine was too .. worked his way up as far as he could without College ed. ... working for the VA. ... i sure know about the block .. i have been in it's doledrums for tw0 yrs. approx. squeaking maybe three poems out and grateful for that .. it's ok tho .. plenty of other things to do .... watch TV ... drink beer ... gaze into the forest contentedly .. sip whiskey .. you know .. all that kind of things ;)

[Dara]

I am partial to Guinness myself. :-)

https://youtu.be/0QdbeM2JWYE

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for the link .. i am dancing and smiling as we travel the rocky road to Dublin .. :))))) yea! Guinness is mighty fine .. Slainte!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your diversity to write such a poetic ode with sing-song fashion is amazing. Kudos my friend, to you and your hubby.

[Dara]

Thank you Kelly! It was a fun collaboration plus adding the music was something different for us. It’s pretty simple but my dad got a kick out of it. Hope you are doing well!

[Gee]

Good morning from a Milton Keynes that is wetter than a thrice peed in old fashioned cotton nappy.
As I type this the rain is bouncing off anything/all it lands on with my back garden resembling a giant puddle.
Enjoyed your wee song/poem

[Dara]

Oh my! 😁 Now that’s a lot of H2O. Hope you are staying high and dry my friend. Great to see you and many thanks!

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Great write


We need fossil fuels and that coal energy.
The green stuff alone that my country aust is trying to push won’t power a country alone and has pushed up our electric and gas prices badly

[Dara]

Thank you for taking timeout to read my attempt at song writing. Yes, something needs to be done regarding energy resources. I have solar panels but they are expensive and I still get a bill from the electric company. Much need for improvements all around.

[Lydia Shutter]

Dara, I could almost sing the words of this poem. Lyrical and lovely.....and with a bit of a jab at the foreign car makers. No matter what line of work a person goes into, if they do it well, they are to be commended. Lydi**

[Dara]

Hello Lydia! It’s great to see you. Thank you so much. The tune is very simple and to the beat of a polka. It’s awesome that you might have been able to sing along. :-) I hope you are doing well these days. We definitely go back a few years to the Starlite Cafe.

[Dara]

I just noticed you have a new book out. I ordered one and am looking forward to reading it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed we do! thanks for ordering the book.

[apennylate]

I am quite the savant of entry level jobs...
As my wayfaring spirit, and lack of a desire for stability, has lead me down an interesting path wrought with retail and service experience.
Love the rhyming, and I love me some good ol' love.
It is not up to others to standardize our recognition of value and beauty, but it is up to us, to decide our own values.
One person's trash is another's treasure.
Well written...

[Dara]

Thank you! Both of my brothers first jobs were working in one of my dad’s gas stations as an attendant. They learned great deal about good work ethics and life in general. :-)

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Dara
It does not matter what trade you are in, as long as life is treating you well… we cannot judge other other people’s jobs… not all of us can make tons of money, but as you can pay the rent ant food on the table, that ‘s what counts… lovely ballad!
Warmly
B🌷

[Dara]

It’s true. My dad did not have a college degree but he was smart and resilient. How they managed to raise four children with one income is hard to fathom now but those were different times back then. So great to see you here again. Your reviews are always so special.

[Betty Hermelee]

a lovely comment Dara, and you are very welcome!
Warmly, B