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The Ballad of Coward Jack

by Andrew Vlasblom

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1.
2.
Shot 02:57
Headed west on a train Passed the fields of dry decay Lit a cig, went down deep Faded fast, fell asleep Heard a noise, jumped right up, Hit my head, knocked me down Fell to the ground but thank the Lord ‘Cuz what happened next woulda killed me ---Chorus--- Shot The bullet grazed my chin Shot It woulda done me in Shot from behind by the Coward Jack Shot from behind but he missed my back Rolled around to find my gun Borrowed time, I might be done He’s stompin’ fast, the creakin’ floor I’m lookin’ dead more an’ more Train’s on fire, he’s in the door Leave my gun, jump off the train My boot caught the rail but thank the Lord ‘Cuz what happened next woulda killed me -Chorus- Rolled down the hill, Jack’s in tow Out for blood, don’t I know Up we get, no point to run He’s the one who’s got the gun Hit him hard, down he falls Grab his gun, watch him cry Killed his wife, now I’ll kill him too But that’s when a shot came outta the blue -Chorus-
3.
Old road down, can’t undo The hurt I did, to folks like you Made a pact to save my hide Can’t get out, damn sure tried Ol’ John Red, knew enough To take me down, to string me up Kept the law off my back That’s when I became Coward Jack ---Chorus--- Old road down, lonely way Made the man I am today Can’t get out, damn sure tried Price I paid to save my hide Joined the band of Ol’ John Red Robbed some banks, loaded lead Made a lawless livin’ fast Never killed, but that couldn’t last “Cut him down!” Ol’ Red yelled As a young boy ran to get the help Stopped dead cold, couldn’t see As Ol’ Red brought the boy to his knees -Chorus- Boy was hurt, howlin’ loud Red told me to make him proud “Finish him off, prove to me Y‘ain’t the Coward you used to be” Drew my gun, turned on Red Whipped him to his gawdamn head Grabbed the boy, jumped my horse Rode off, I had no recourse -Chorus-
4.
Someday 04:03
Woke up that mornin’, was the day I opened up my store Said to Pa, “I ‘spect you’ll be the first To come walkin’ through my door” I rode to town, couldn’t wait For this day, most my life Dream came true: I was the owner, Not the owner’s wife Crisp cool breeze, turned the key In time for the risin’ sun Flipped the sign, from closed To open, business had begun Ma woulda been so proud to see I got so far myself When folks asked, “Where’s your man,” I smiled, “I can manage without help” But then I met a man, seemed kind And true, from out of town An’ I entertained the thought that he And I might settle down Together, Someday ********************** Brought the wounded boy to the doc Didn’t stick around to talk Rode from dawn ‘til dusk for days Rode away from my old ways Til one day I found a place No one’d ever know my face Met a girl, settled down But Red, I knew he’d come to town Someday Old road down, lonely way Made the man I am today Can’t get out, damn sure tried Price I paid to save my hide Old road down, soon to see The bad in him, the fool in me Day’ll come when I can’t go back Blindly let myself fall for Jack Old road down, only way Tainted love, price to pay No turnin’ back, no skippin’ town Just straight ahead, Old road down
5.
Wrong One 04:55
Jack, the man who has my love, The father of my son My heart is his, and yet I feel I married the wrong one Can’t believe it’s 18 years Feels like yesterday Met him in his dusty duds His bearded face, a mane He came to town, a wanderer No one knew his name Came into my store, and said to me “I’d like to buy your grain And if you don’t mind, pretty miss, I’d like to see you more I’m settlin’ down and you’re the type That I’ve been lookin’ for” I slapped his face and kicked him out, But I gave it a think I guess it worked ‘cuz then I fell In love with his cute wink Pa took sick, Jack helped us plough And harvest all the wheat Times were tough, but Jack was there Made sure that we could eat He took me to the riverside Asked me for my hand Said “Heather, I ain’t perfect But I’d die to be your man” We wed that week, we didn’t wait I found my one true love And late that year we had a son Was all I could dream of But Jack looks out the window Looks out, every night There’s pain inside his eyes, There’s darkness, there’s fright He looks at me with sadness Can’t shake the pending dread Not knowin’ what will happen Messin’ with my head I never ask him why Don’t think I want to know But I have a sinkin’ feelin’ Clock’s tickin’ til we go Jack, the man who has my love, The father of my son My heart is his, and yet I feel I married the wrong one
6.
Tracked 04:10
---Chorus--- Tracked ‘im down for 18 years The coward’s in my sights Ol’ John Red is my name Here ta take the coward’s wife Thing ‘bout killin’ a man Somethin’ you can’t reverse For a few, I’d do it quicker But fer most, I’d give ‘em worse I’m a man of simple means But my aim is sharp an’ true So when I say I’m out for blood Better hope it ain’t for you -Chorus- Cowards leave a trail Of fear ‘n’ shame ‘n’ shit Stench’ll follow ‘em to the grave An’ on to hell’s fiery pit I took my time to find him Had my share o’ fun Stealin’, killin’, rapin’ whores All leadin’ to this one -Chorus- No rush to take him out Waited good and long Long enough to feel Gawdamn good when doin’ wrong Coward knows I be comin’ He can run to save his life Jack be nimble, Jack be quick But I’ll still take his wife Tracked ‘im down for 18 years The coward’s in my sights Ol’ John Red is my name Here ta kill the coward’s wife
7.
Payday 05:59
Off to town to buy supplies Looked my fair wife in her eyes “Heather, guess I’ll be back late Don’t wait up, just save me a plate” There he goes, man of mine As I grab a pail to feed the swine Tryin’ but sighin’ day by day Feelin’ far from him, too far to say Jack, Jack, Jack. There he goes, knew he’d run Time for Red to rough ‘er some Come here my dear, don’t be shy The pigs don’t care how ya die ---Chorus--- Coward Jack, time to pay Knew you couldn’t get away Your run, it ends today But you’ll still live to see— Came ridin’ back from town Hitched my horse, went in the house Made my way to the kitchen No food, an’ Heather’s shoes was missin’ In the barn, swine was squealin’ Then I heard somethin’ creakin’ Lit my lantern, grabbed my gun Knew at last the time had come -Chorus- Crept my way to the barn In the door, there she was Dropped to my knees Screamed “God, please!” Jack, what have you done? That you would live to see Me, here, now, in front of you Facin’ eternity? Jack, the man who had my love, The father of my son My heart was yours, but now I know I married the wrong one Coward Jack, time to pay Knew you couldn’t get away Your run, it ends today But you’ll still live to see The one you love the most Hangin’ from a post
8.
Red as Blood 06:05
Jack, Jack, Jack. Drop yer gun, coward. Nothin’ you can do Dyin’ now won’t bring her back, And her blood is all on you. I’m gonna let you suffer Suffer long til dead But first I’m gonna bloody whip ya To yer gawdamn head Tracked ‘im down for 18 years, I wrecked the coward’s life Ol’ John Red is my name And I hung the coward’s wife. He tracked him down for 18 years, He wrecked the coward’s life Ol’ John Red is his name And he hung the coward’s wife. **************************** Came to, barn was blazin’ The flames were red as blood Stumbled to my feet, but fell face down Looked up through the mud My wife, my love, my bridge ‘Tween my old ways and my new Gone for good, along with all The good that I could do. From the coal-black ash I carried My love to her restin’ place What was left o’ her, wasn’t much I buried what still remained Old road down, lonely way Made the man I am today Can’t get out, damn sure tried Price I paid to save my hide Old road down, paid the price Dead man walkin’, heart of ice This I swear, won’t rest my head ‘Til I kill ol’ John dead.
9.
Dirt 02:25
---Chorus--- All that’s left is dirt Ain’t no other way Gonna make him hurt Gonna put him in the grave All that’s left is dirt Ain’t no other way Gonna make him hurt Gonna make him gawdamn pay Thing ‘bout killin’ cowards Too easy, dull, ‘n’ quick Killin’ the ones they love, Now that’s the key to make ‘em tick I knew this day was comin’ When I would be found Now I won’t rest ‘til I put that bastard Six feet ‘neath the ground Killed his wife, burned his barn He ain’t got nothin’ no more With luck, he’ll burn up with ‘em Without, die alone an’ poor Red kept me alive So I could go on dyin’ But this Coward’ll get revenge Or sure as hell, die tryin’ -Chorus- As for me, my work is done Gonna head west on a train Maybe try my luck at governin’ Run for mayor, get some fame Jumped my horse, took off fast Red had a good head start I knew that he’d be headed west ‘Til I stopped his beatin’ heart Tracked ‘im down for 18 years, Them’s years I can’t get back But I’d do it again, all just to wreck A no-good coward like Jack. A coward I may be But he’s gonna see tonight A coward bring him to his knees In a final bloody fight -Chorus-
10.
He’s headin west, on a train Passin’ fields of dry decay I rode for hours, saw the engine light Hit the tracks, in the dead of night Rode up hard, against the grain Made the jump, caught the train Time to settle with the devil Burn him straight to hell Found his cabin, set it ablaze Ol’ Red stood in the smoky haze Drew my gun, took my aim Made the shot and down he came ---Chorus--- Shot The bullet grazed his chin Shot It didn’t do him in Shot from behind, in the midnight black Shot from behind, but I missed his back Red was reachin’ for his colt Lackin’ time, he chose to bolt Stompin’ hard the creakin’ floor He’s lookin’ dead more and more Train doors bangin, chasin’ fast Fire’s spreadin, Red won’t last He’s jumpin off, so I take aim But he’s no stranger to the game -Chorus- Rolled down the hill, Jack’s in tow Out for blood, don’t I know Up we get, no point to run He’s the one who’s got the gun That’s when Red drew his knife Said “This one’s for your dead wife” Threw it, deep into my knee Down I fell, at his feet Coward Jack, you’ll never learn Killed yer wife, now it’s your turn Now, nobody hears your cries I’ll take aim right between your eyes Red got cocky, takin’ aim As I screamed and grabbed my knee in pain I drew a pistol from my boot Didn’t hesitate to shoot Shot, The bullet ripped his skin Shot The bullet did him in Shot him in the head, with a gun Shot him dead, Ol’ Red was done
11.
All on You 04:23
Jack, the man who had my love, What evil have you done? For 18 years it seemed you ran, But you always loved your gun I never asked, you never told You lost me bit by bit I’d grow old lonely; guess that beats My charred corpse in a pit Your past becomes your present now, Your future, hopeless end You’ll go on runnin’, fearin’ all You’ll never have a friend The more they know, the less you’ll trust You see, you cannot win But give yourself up to the law, Atone for all your sin I know you won’t, I ain’t a fool But I’ll tell you this, and true I loved you, more than anyone And my death is all on you Jack, the man who had my love I’ve one wish left to make You won’t do right, so join Your wife and son, beyond the grave ****************************** Heather, can you hear me? Couldn’t hear you scream Wanna say I’m sorry Guess it’s just a dream
12.
Kindle 05:15
Cracklin' kindlin' flame Sittin’ by the wood stove Dreamin’ bout my Heather Not a day goes by I don't see her smile Lord I miss her Bucket on the porch Shawl up by the sill Remindin’ me of when We used to walk out to the mill Cracklin' kindlin' flame ---Chorus--- She ain't here to warm her hands She ain't here to brush her hair She ain't here to hear me yell She ain't here to ring the dinner bell She ain't here to touch my face She ain't here to see me sigh She ain't here to hold my hand She ain't here to watch me die Cracklin' kindlin' flame Candle's gettin' dim Picture on the table The cracked glass hints At a day we made A promise to each other She said, Jack There's only one thing I want you can't take back Your love, ‘til your last breath Your beatin’ heart ‘til death Cracklin' kindlin' flame -Chorus- She ain't here to hold my hand She ain't here to watch me die Cracklin' kindlin' flame

about

A musical tale of revenge set in the Old West, "The Ballad of Coward Jack" tells the story of Jack, a man who went down a dark road in his past and, while he has changed his ways and tried to escape his old life, the time has come for him to pay the consequences.

A passion project in many ways and a tribute to the wild west and western lore in general, expect plenty of gun-slingin,’ train-chasin’, villain-hatin’ fun on this journey through the harshness of the Old West. We hope you enjoy the music as much as we enjoyed creating it!

credits

released September 2, 2017

Performed by:
Ashley Johnson (vocals, Coward Jack)
Kaitlyn Wachter (vocals, Old John Red)
Laureline Claeys (vocals, Heather)
Eden Jones (violin arrangements, violin)
Andrew Vlasblom (piano)

Written and composed by Andrew Vlasblom

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Andrew Vlasblom Gwangju, South Korea

Canadian, American, and French band making music in Gwangju, South Korea.

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