Boy From Lawrence Country

(album: Yonder Is The Clock - 2009)

All these pills and powder could not make me stay
I'm on my merry way in the morning light
Cold New England winters have got me coughing
As the Lincoln turns down Memory Street

"Tell me Judge. what's the bounty
On that boy from Lawrence County?
He's a friend of mine
If I had a way to trap him
Would you swear to pay up Captain?
He's a friend of mine"

The door swang slowly open
The committee room was dark
The bailiff marked the chairs in red
Recalled a boy in orange as he slowly passes
Awkward as a calf with its legs wobbling

"Be so kind, tell me warden
Who's in line to die this morning?
Could I see the show?
If he bore his teeth to scare us
Would we see our likeness sheriff
In the pearly glow?"

Roll on old silver river through the Iron Range
Past the sleeping trains that wait
Gold and amber pedals in your water wade
Like the hand of Jesse James in wait
Rain it beats the window, makes it hard to see
Who's on a drunken spree in the city lights
Silent are the dying, silent are the young
And it's silent where I'm from

"Tell me love of your husband
Will we see his headlights coming?
Will he know it's us?
When his tired eyes have lifted
Will he see your bed has shifted?
Is he bad at love?"

"I got the money that I owe you
Something else to show you
Could you meet me there?
Take the road out past the station
To the river basin
I'll be waiting there"

All these pills and powder
Could not make me stay
I'm on my merry way in the morning light
All these dying matadors in dusty rings
Have killed my will to sing
And I'm gone

Tell me Judge, what's the bounty
On that boy from Lawrence County?
He's a friend of mine
If I had a way to trap him
Would you swear to pay up Captain?
He's a friend of mine