From the recording Kray Van Kirk - Live at the Acorn
Alonso Quijano was driven mad by the pain of the world, but from the ashes of his despair arose Don Quixote. Cervantes could not have set a sane hero to that work; it would have been laughed out of print.
But even as we flock to superhero movies, television and books, we would never accept a sane person dressed as a superhero on the New York subway, challenging evil wherever it was found. We'd call security and be done with it.
But an aged, insane black man wearing a kitchen towel, rubber boots and a pair of red underwear over his head as his mask can do what we cannot, and we love him for it.
By that love are we transformed. Even after he has been led off into the night by the Lords of Bedlam, we hear the trumpet, we rise into dawn from the darkness, we speak against hatred and despair, we weep unabashedly for longing, and in the wake of our passage, it will be said "The Midnight Commander was here."
So for a brief and shining moment, cast aside your sanity. Ride forth to heal the world. Take up the mantle of The Midnight Commander.
Just don't forget the red underwear.
Lyrics
THE MIDNIGHT COMMANDER
Kray Van Kirk
(c) Midnight Commander Music
He patrolled the New York subway, the Q train, Broadway Line
From 96th on down to Coney Isle
His superhero mask was red, a pair of underwear
with rubber boots and cape a kitchen towl
He knew the nightly riders, and called them all by name
And they made sure his nightly fare was paid
While his history was hidden, his origins obscure
On a ragged subway seat a New York hero he was made
If angry words were thrown against two women holding hands
Or a homeless man was kicked and put to shame
If someone in a turban was pushed around and cursed
His eyes would flash and loudly he'd exclaim
I am the Midnight Commander!
I am a flame, I'm a beacon in the night
I am the Midnight Commander
Set aside your hatred, and put aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Oh, the Midnight Commander is here
Now everyone he challenged, they felt his gentle power
And they'd falter in their hatred and their pain
Standing quiet, wondering, at the seasons of the heart
And an old man in pajamas on the train
And the riders of the subway, the Q train, Broadway line
Stood proud and tall when he would pass them by
They'd smile at one another and give a mighty cheer
Whenever they would hear his ringing cry
I am the Midnight Commander!
I am a flame, I'm a beacon in the night
I am the Midnight Commander
Set aside your hatred, and put aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Oh, the Midnight Commander is here
Now, all good deeds are punished, and someone finally made a call
To New York's Metro Clinic with the tale
A bedcheck found one empty, found the window open wide
Found footprints headed towards the subway rail
So the Lords of Bedlam came, each one dressed in white
They found him riding on his nightly fare
They called him by his given name, and took away his soul
And brought him back to his confused despair
But.. but I am the Midnight Commander
He said as they gently led him off into the night
I am the Midnight Commander
Who will keep them from their hatred, and rescue them from fear
If the Midnight Commander's not here?
If the Midnight Commander's not here?
Now the New York city subway, the Q train, Broadway line
Gallops through the night just like before
But at 96th and 2nd all the riders take a stand
For New York's Don Quixote was no more
And on the empty platform, as the train goes on its way
If you listen very closely you can hear the voices say
Remember, remember
Don't give in to hatred or to fear
Remember, O remember
The Midnight Commander was here
It started in Manhattan, a single burning flame
It spread to Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn, Staten Island was the same
Macy's ran out of red underwear, and rubber boots could simply not be found
The words were carved upon the subway walls
A thousand voices thundered with the sound
And the words said:
I am the Midnight Commander!
I am a flame, I'm a beacon in the night
I am the Midnight Commander
Set aside your hatred, and put aside your fear
For the Midnight Commander is here
Oh, the Midnight Commander is here