This is a gospel song to capture the outdoor celebration on the outskirts of town that is and was my habit of making stovetop espresso on the side of the road and sharing it with strangers.
I have parked and set up my gas burner and stovetop espresso just about everywhere in South Australia, a practice that began in the late 1990s when good cafes were hard to find outside Adelaide.
Back in the day, I had my own coffee brand, Baristador, and that double roast coffee would be pounded into the stovetop espresso to ensure a nice, thick brew was produced. It kept me driving safely for another couple of hours.
Now that I have returned to using the stovetop espresso daily, I think this ritual will resume and continue. Here’s what you need:
- Heat resistant container (I use a small, wooden fruit crate)
- Stovetop espresso maker (stainless steel is the best – get an 8-cup)
- Spring water
- Coffee ground almost as fine as you need for an espresso machine
- A tamp (something to press down the coffee)
- Gas burner
- Cup (I use stainless steel on the road)
- Tea towels to line the wooden crate
- Patience
It is a sacred experience and I have had many conversations with strangers, whether or not they accepted my offer of coffee. I heartily recommend trying it.
Stovetop Espresso In Action
Stovetop Espresso Raw Scratchings
Stovetop Espresso Lyrics
[Chorus]
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Let your darkness, lighten our load
[Verse 1]
I leave early in the morning
And make my way out east
I battle with the yawning
So I make the driving cease
I stop in Tintinara
Make myself a brew
And share with other pilgrims
Who are also passing through
So if you see me, waiting for my cup to fill
I’ll make one for you
[Chorus]
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Let your darkness, lighten our load
[Verse 2]
I drive through the Flinders Ranges
And make my way up north
I do the trip in stages
To supress the urge to yawn
I get my coffee gear out
When I reach Mambray Creek
And before the pilgrims clear out
I offer them a seat
So if you see me, pouring from my silver pot
Come and taste this treat
[Chorus]
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Let your darkness, lighten our load
[Verse 3]
I check on the forecast weather
And make my way out west
I pack an extra sweater
And leave time for some rest
An hour from Whyalla
Before I get to Cowell
I stop to make some coffee
And look for who’s around
So if you see me, drinking out here all alone
Join me any how
[Chorus]
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Let your darkness, lighten our load
[Verse 4]
I leave home just after lunch time
And make my way down south
I think about the sunshine
And coffee in my mouth
I stop in Kuitpo Forest
And call the pilgrims near
The locals and the tourists
They are all welcome here
So if you see me, gathered with a friendly crowd
Sip and share the cheer
[Final Chorus]
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Stovetop espresso, on the side of the road
Let your darkness, lighten our load
Oh let your darkness, lighten our load
Oh hallelujah
Oh let me brew for yah
Let your darkness, lighten our load
Oh let your darkness, lighten our load