This is a bit tangential to anything, but it’s almost Patriot’s Day when we remember Paul Revere and once again forget William Dawes, the other guy who went to warn Sam Adams in Concord of the Redcoats.

I just heard this amazing story by Don Was about a song composed by Charles Dawes, a descendent of William’s and Calvin Coolidge’s Vice President. Dawes’ melody was a hit midcentury and then acquired lyrics and became even more popular. Barry Manilow is the latest to cover the song, and Was played clips of Elton John and others singing it.

The whole thing is so weird that I suspected it was an April Fool’s prank. Check it out.