I was, and still am, captivated by Babies cry for liquor an ' the birds sing bass, and in the arrogance of my youth, I was certain that nobody else on the airfield either knew or cared who Bessie Smith was, nor would any other G.I. be enchanted by basso birds, so I turned thief. I can't remember how I did it, but somehow I smuggled those records back to my barracks and got them home intact on my next furlough.
I loved Bessie Smith, but doubted anyone on base knew who she was, nor would be enchanted by her.  I smuggled the records and got them home intact by turning into a thief.