Throw out a Wreath for James Dean

In the year of 1931
A rebel was born without a cause.
Who reached the age of twenty four
Before his days would end, but did they soar.
When he was just a little tyke he
Played violin, tap danced, had a sported life,
He went for a while to UCLA
Then went for acting instead of a degree.

He performed some theater, movies, TV,
Worked hard, landed jobs at NBC,
Played some dark, dark roles in his early career-
Like being locked in an icehouse all his life by a mother he feared
And being a hep-cat killer subdued by a tear.

What played in his mind we’ll never know
Driving that sports car so long ago.

“Dream as if you’ll live forever,
Live as if you’ll die today.”
Is his most famous quote they say,
But my personal favorite was a smaller one,
Not too significant, but no less shined,
“Take it easy driving, the life you save may be mine!”

It was 50 years ago this year
When he heard his last adoring cheer
So the 50th anniversary this year, of that day,
Will pay tribute to this rebel gone astray.

And attitude on the outside,
Nice guy underneath,
That was the real James Byron Dean.
And such a hottie, too!

 

So next time you’re East of Eden,
And drive through that black and white world
Look out the window, slow down a bit,
And throw out a wreath for James Dean.