LIFEGUARD - Shelton Bradshaw live from Balboa Pier

I find it beautiful how sacrifice reverberates and inspires eternally through the years. Last 4th of July I was bathing in a world of disappointment and self-pity, when Newport Beach’s beloved memorial to Ben Carlson instantly helped me see the bigger picture. Similar to Joe Delaney’s story, I find Ben Carlson’s legend equally spectacular. Ben Carlson was a tall, tanned, handsome, chiseled super-productive water baby, (as opposed to a super-unproductive beach bums). I’m sure no one enjoyed Socal’s sunny sensual pleasures I was craving as much as Ben. Yet in an instant, while in the prime of his young life, he found the valor and eternal perspective to give it all up for a stranger in danger. This ultimate sacrifice was in addition to the countless lives he had already rescued from the Pacific and all its brutal dangers for 15 years as a lifeguard. To Ben, the Carlson family, and those who have given it all in the blink of an eye for another. May this tune help your inspiring legacy never be forgotten, and forever lived.

Lifeguard
Fourth of July never been more alive..
White and red haloed a sapphire sky.
I’m too much beach bum to turn or run.
But why would I?

Too broke for bankrupt, but couldn’t care.
Nothing’s tough where waves crash near.
A tat-faced gal was making it work.
Put my mind in the dirt.

Sand, sun, and vitamin D.
But not all’s free.
He’s in loving hovering.
Keeping mermaids company.

Don’t ya know don’t ya know don’t ya know, I need a lifeline.
You should know, you should know, you should know
You should know our own, Ben Carlson
Don’t ya know don’t ya know don’t ya know
Don’t ya know, don’t ya know, throw me a lifeguard.

A scuffle on each corner scene.
Big fish big pond so finally.
Hometown toughs test the street.
Where bully names pack no heat.
That’s America to me.
That’s America to me.

Forgot I need to pound work.
But there’s pounding surf.
Resume ain’t what it was.
Nothing guys half my age ain’t done.

I taste her sweat from ten feet.
Fantasy freed.
Love’s here but none for me.
Still he peers alert so dutifully.

Don’t ya know don’t ya know don’t ya know, I need a lifeline.
You should know, you should know, you should know
You should know our own, Ben Carlson
Don’t ya know, don’t ya know don’t ya know
Don’t ya know, don’t ya know, throw me a lifeguard.
You should know our own Ben Carlson
You should know our own Ben Carlson