Story Behind the Song (in depth) "Seven Mile Bridge"

This song was an interesting song to write in that it tackled a couple of subjects at the same time. In the beginning of January 2006 a group of fifteen Cubans refugees sailed for a better life in the U.S.

In addressing this in the song the first lines are:

“They left Cuba with freedom in their eyes, land of plenty is on the horizon, and you can hear them as they cross the straights, singing goodbye to the land of sugarcane.”

(at this point the chords to the ultra-famous Cuban song “Guantadamera” play, to give the subliminal impression that's the song they are singing)

The Cubans landed on the old, unused Seven Mile Bridge in the middle of the Florida Keys. At the time, the U.S. had the absolutely absurd rule that Cubans who landed in the U.S. had to be on dry land, in order to emigrate. Stranded on the bridge, the U.S. Government determined that they were not on dry land and re-repatriated the refugees back to Cuba.

I felt this was completely absurd on a number of levels. First and foremost, the policy, which was called “Wet Foot Dry Foot” requiring refugees from Cuba to be standing dry land to emigrate. It's a lot like a getting a touchdown. What were we doing, playing football with people's lives? Picture the Cubans floating along in the Florida Straights as the offense and U.S. Coast Guard as the defense.If the defense catches them on the water, they go back to Cuba. If they reach U.S. soil (or sand), they score and stay. It should be noted that during this aquatic bastardized football game, many Cubans died in their attempt to reach the U.S. as their boats were just not seaworthy and sank in the quest.

The other absurd part of the policy was that it pertained only to Cubans. If a group from anywhere else sailed and landed, it made no difference at all if they were on dry land or not, they were not welcome and sent back. The Cubans were the only “team” allowed in this hypothetical football game.

With this particular group of Cubans, they landed on the Seven-Mile Bridge. The U.S. didn't recognize that as part of the U.S. and sent them back to Cuba. Here I addressed that issue with the second verse:

“And they rolled into the Florida Keys, washed up on that Seven-Mile Bridge. But federales said 'ain't no way, wet foot, dry foot, a bridge ain't no foot, it ain't USA so be on your way”

In addition to the policies that I found absurd regarding Cubans reaching the end-zone, on top of being the only players in this life and death game, There was also the issue of The Seven-Mile Bridge.

When the bridge was first opened in 1912, it was the longest bridge in existence. It was called “The Eighth Wonder Of The World” at the time! This was living history. This was a very important part of American culture. Henry Flagler built the bridge as part of his railroad complex of forty-five bridges, island hopping the Keys. The quest was to utilize Key West's deepwater harbor as an import hub for South American goods to be sent by his railroad to the U.S. mainland for distribution coast to coast.

Yet, here in 2006, it was viewed, with no significant character and actually, no significance whatsoever. It was scoffed at and disowned by the government. The play was sent up to the booth for review and after watching the “instant replay”, the call was sent to the referee on the field... or rather on the water in a Coast Guard vessel. Their view, within the context of a set of absurd rules of this aquatic football game played with human lives, was that there was no touchdown scored by the Cubans. The run down the sidelines ruling had the offense step “out of bounds” and they were sent back to Cuba. In doing so, they essentially said the Seven Mile Bridge was not part of the U.S.

The state of Florida wanted nothing to do with it and played a very good role of Pontius Pilote, earning an MVP for the game.

This was addressed in the song as such:

“and they disowned the Seven-Mile Bridge they don't want it, neither does the state. Eighth wonder of the world when it began. Derelict bridge left to sun, sea, and wind”.

And so ends the first part of the song. It made a statement or two. It also gives food to the listener to think. There is a fair amount which is between the lines as well. It's also a very serious subject, for those curious to ponder. The intellect will ponder this, however, for those who don't care to do much thinking about a song's between the lines meanings, it has a good melody and chord changes, which provide a firm and original chassis for the song to ride on.

For me, this is the most important part of a song. Lyrics mean nothing if the music is a slug.

The next part of the song takes place after the Cuban have been sent back to Cuba.

On January 14, 2006, The Conch Republic's Sir Peter Anderson went to the Seven-Mile Bridge and boated out to where the Cubans has been. Raising a loaf of Cuban Bread (the weapon of choice in the whimsical Conch Republic) declared that as the U.S. Government doesn't want the bridge, the Conch Republic does! He also declared it the only piece of sovereign territory of the Conch Republic. (note: The rest of the Conch Republic, the Dry Tortugas – Elliot Key are joint U.S. - Conch Republic territories). One could always find the Keys-style absurd humor with Sir Peter!

Additionally, Sir Peter had plans to make Eco-friendly affordable housing that would be built on the old bridge! Affordable housing in the Keys has been a decades-long issue that is often spoken about but seldom acted on. Here he had plans for solar powered energy and bio-toilets/plumbing!

The last two verses address and close out the song

“And to the rescue comes the Conch Republic. Loaded with laughter and a son of a gun. And housing here is much too insane, billionaires buy the millionaires out how are the common folk gonna settle down?

Now calls have been out for affordable housing, for years and years it's fallen on deaf ears. The Conch's got a fresh new idea, he wants to build on that Seven-Mile Bridge!

I want to live on that Seven Mile Bridge! I want the ocean in my front yard. Conch Republic let it fly your yarn....” add lib to end.

This was a fun song to write and a curious one at that. It covered two different social issues: Cuban immigration and affordable housing. It also brought attention to the Seven-Mile Bridge. The song came together quite quickly. One afternoon actually.

It's a bit funny, I realize for a songwriter who is classified as Trop Rock, to be dealing with social issues. It's not my usual, but it's an option I take when I feel the inspiration and I did when I wrote this song!

The example here is whats known as a demo. It's not really fit for airplay, but it clearly gets the song across. "Seven Mile Bridge" was written immediately after the event 1/17/2006. I hope you enjoy it!

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 "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West time Traveler"!!

Follow Mark Straight, a Key West Bartender who suddenly finds himself as a time traveler in Key West.

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Seven Mile Bridge, Moving, Amazing Musician Blunder, I'm in a novel!

.^listen to the"7 Mile Bridge" song as you read the blog!^

THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

When the 7 Seven Mile Bridge was originally constructed spanning from Knight's Key in Marathon, to Little Duck Key over one hundred years ago, it was the longest bridge on earth. It was attributed the moniker “The Eighth Wonder of the World” at the time. When it was originally built, it was a railroad bridge, part of the Overseas Railroad, built by Henry Flagler who wanted the deep sea port in Key West, linked to the mainland.

(Pictures from the Monroe County Public Library)

The bridge was opened for business in 1912 as part of The Florida East Coast Railway and operated as such until a hurricane in 1935 wiped out a lower section of the railway in the Keys in Islamorada, rendering the railroad useless. The bridge system was sold to the state of Florida for $600K, then converted to be used for trucks and cars, making it The Overseas Highway.

The Overseas Highway was opened in 1938 and built on the existing railroad bridge bed and bridges. It was quite narrow and often was the case that trucks heading in opposite directions would lose their rear view mirrors to each other. It should be noted that the bridge system that runs from the mainland to Key West consists of forty two bridges and the Seven Mile Bridge is only one of those, albeit naturally, the most famous.

(State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/6883)

Of course legends and stories abound about the old bridge and everyone who traveled on it, will never forget it for two reasons. One, it certainly got your attention when faced with oncoming traffic that passed mere inches to spare, door to door.  Two, the incredible view of the tropical Atlantic on your left as you traveled south and the Gulf of Mexico/Florida Bay on your right. One story that always caught my ear was that of the tender of the draw bridge. The legend goes that he had been the tender of the draw bridge for something like thirty years. It is said he had plans to retire and was actually relieved of duty the day before the old bridge was put out of commission. He however elected to work the final day of operation. The tender’s quarters was heated (when needed) with a propane heater. Somehow on that last day there was a fire in the tender’s quarters and the propane tank exploded, killing the tender and burning it to cinders on that last day of operation. I can’t say if the story is true or fiction, but it’s certainly a curious tale indeed!

(State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/6883 7 Mile Bridge’s Drawbridge. Picture from the Cory McDonald Collection)

In March of 1982 the new Seven Mile Bridge was opened. The replacement of all of the bridges was started earlier, with the first new bridge completed at Bahia Honda, replacing the old railroad structure.

The new Seven Mile Bridge is a modern highway, with more than ample room for vehicles to drive in opposite directions and even room for a break down vehicle to sit, if an ominous fate awaited a vehicle traversing the span.

(old and new Seven Mile Bridges)

The old bridge stayed in one piece, more or less. The center draw bridge was removed, as well as a couple of sections to prevent those with mischievous intent from going further, from either side, the north side being just after the bridge crosses over Pigeon Key.

( Seven Mile Bridge crossing Pigeon Key)

Over the years the bridge was just left to founder on its own. A few movie scenes have been shot here and Pigeon Key, I’m guessing about a mile out, is still active as a museum.

In 2006, a group of Cuban rafters, seeking asylum in the U.S. landed on the bridge. The U.S. law states that they have to land on U.S. soil, and did not recognize the Seven Mile Bridge as U.S. soil. Even though the bridge is listed as one of the   National Register of Historic Places  in the U.S.  they were sent back to Cuba.

Just after this happened, Sir Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic, went down and declared the bridge sovereign Conch Republic territory, as it clearly was not recognized as U.S. territory. In addition, Sir Peter had come up with a plan to build affordable housing on the bridge! There are said to be plans for the houses as well!

Hpwever, the song that leads off this blog today, “The Seven Mile Bridge”, is about that incident. These days Sir Peter Anderson is afflicted with cancer and we all wish him the very best in his battle. He has brought much laughter, business, fun, and logic to these islands, for which we’re all very grateful for. Thank You Sir Peter!

I will also do a future blog on the entire bridge chain which allows all of us to “Island Hop”  over one hundred miles out to sea.

MOVING

Well, after five years in the converted church apartment, it was time to move. The landlord was foreclosed on and the bank made a settlement with me, as a tenant, in order to leave, so they could free the property up for sale. This worked out well actually. With my girlfriend Dani moving in last December, the place would always be “my apartment”. Getting something new would be “ours”. It was one of these” gun to the head” situations. The agreement I signed with the bank stipulated that we would be out of the property “by March 30”. For those who live outside of the Keys, the month of March is a very difficult time to find a place to live, as it’s the height of the tourist season. For us, this was no exception.  Making a long story short, we found a place with only days to spare. Honestly, I had envisioned us having to rent a storage facility for our belongings and camping out in my conversion van until we found a place!

We had looked at places as far as 23 miles up the Keys, but ended up finding an ideal place right around the corner from where we lived. I would often joke “I live 90 miles and three blocks from Havana” being as I lived right up the street from the Southernmost Point. Well, now we live 90 miles and two blocks from Havana. HA HA!

Moving is always an ordeal and we’re glad it’s behind us, thrilled we’re still in the same neighborhood!

Someone upstairs is looking out for us! Thanks!

One of the benefits of moving! HA HA!

AMAZING MUSICIAN BLUNDER

Several weeks ago I was playing a benefit at a bar where a lot of other performers were involved with as well. There was a group on before us and when they were done one of the members says into the microphone “Hey! We’re heading up the street to play at XYZ Bar! Come up and see us there”

Or in real terms “Hey! We’re playing at XYZ Bar next. Stop buying everything here, leave and take your business elsewhere!”

Remarkable really.

I'M IN A NOVEL!

Glasgow, Scotland based author Jon Breakfield has just released his latest book, Key West part II. This of course follows Key West, his first, in what perhaps will become a series? We'll see! Jon also has three other books out, "Death in Glasgow", "Naked Europe", and "Liverpool.... Texas? London... Arkansas? A Short Story". In Key West part II You'll find me in the book! What a combination of a hoot and an honor! Thank you Jon!

I have no doubt that you'll find Jon's books quite entertaining! One amazing thing that all of Jon's characters in the book are real people! You never know, you may even be in it! Be sure to check this one out at Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J0FTOC6


And a link to all of Jon's books at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jon%20Breakfield

To obtain my music:

My CD is available on iTunes, CD Baby, CD Universe, Rhapsody, and Beachfront Radio.

Search: Key West Chris

Thank you everyone!!