Pops Staples bought a music book for $5 – to teach
himself to play. He earned the money to buy the book
by picking cotton, making $3 a week. And you hear that

in his guitar-sound, and you feel that in the incredible
music he made. So you know that by the way he played
and the songs he wrote. And your forever-shame

should be that it could ever happen that way. And so,
you are eternally grateful for that sweet, soul music.
As if that trade could ever seem fair.