Lew Cady: Toast his memory in Central City tomorrow

Yes, Colorado has been a lot less colorful since Lew Cady, one of this state’s most creative characters, passed away on August 4. To give him a proper sendoff, family, friends and fans will gather in Central City tomorrow, raising a glass or two or ten in three of the bars in the town he loved so much: Dostal Alley (the locally owned brewpub), the Gold Coin (the oldest still-operating bar in Central) and the Teller House (where the Face on the Barroom Floor could well be yours). The toasting will commence at 2:02 p.m., and the afternoon will no doubt be a teary and beery time.

To get ready for the event, how about a round of Hank Williams Sr.’s “There’s a Tear in My Beer”?

There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m cryin’ for you, dear
You are on my lonely mind

Into these last nine beers
I have shed a million tears
You are on my lonely mind

I’m gonna keep drinkin’
Until I’m petrified
And then maybe these tears
Will leave my eyes

There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m crying’ for you, dear
You were on my lonely mind

Last night I walked the floor
And the night before
You were on my lonely mind

It seems my life is through
And I’m so doggone blue
You were on my lonely mind

I’m gonna keep drinkin’
‘Till I can’t move a toe
And then maybe my heart
Won’t hurt me so

There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m cryin’ for you, dear
You were on my lonely mind

Lord, I’ve tried and I’ve tried
But my tears, I can’t hide
You are on my lonely mind

All these blues that I’ve found
Have really got me down
You are on my lonely mind

I’m gonna keep drinkin’
‘Till I can’t even think
‘Cause in the last week
I ain’t slept a wink

There’s a tear in my beer
‘Cause I’m crying for you dear
You were on my lonely mind.

More from the Calhoun Wake-Up Call archive: “Once again, state tourism boosters have gone back to the drawing board.”