Send Your Camel to Bed

One of the "gifts" I received this Christmas was not intended as a gift really, but it is to me.  Back in the Fall when my sisters were helping my mum clear out a few things they found an old dress of mine - 36 years old to be exact.  It was sent to me in the box of Christmas goodies, unwrapped.

I was thrilled to see that dress which holds so many memories for me.  I was happier still that it still fit (a forgiving style).  When I put it on I felt like time had been erased. I bought the dress (and earrings) on my very first trip to the west coast of Vancouver Island when I was just 16 years old. Many years have passed since I fell in love with Ucluelet, that dress, and Maria Muldaur's music. It was a strange but great feeling to know that the girl who bought that dress and loved it still exists.

This gift of the dress came to me at a time when I needed it most.  This year has been a challenging one in many ways and one of transition for me.  I have been working very hard to find myself again, to begin the new year ahead with a renewed sense of purpose.  The dress was a welcome reminder that I have never really been lost; I was just buried under some stuff :).


Note:  Neither the cowboy boots and water buffalo sandals 
that I used to wear with this dress were not unearthed.


Midnight At The Oasis 
~ Maria Muldaur 

Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Shadows paintin' our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven's holdin' a half-moon
Shinin' just for us
Let's slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evenin' ends
Till the evenin' ends
You don't have to answer
There's no need to speak
I'll be your belly dancer, prancer
And you can be my sheik

I know your Daddy's a sultan
A nomad known to all
With fifty girls to attend him, they all send him
Jump at his beck and call
But you won't need no harem, honey
When I'm by your side
And you won't need no camel, no no
When I take you for a ride
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He'll point out the way
Come on, till the evenin' ends
Till the evenin' ends
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Got shadows paintin' our faces
And traces of romance in our heads




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