1. |
Out There (Prologue)
04:28
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2. |
Shot
02:57
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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-
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3. |
Old Road Down
04:03
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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-
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4. |
Someday
04:03
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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
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5. |
Wrong One
04:55
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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
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6. |
Tracked
04:10
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---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
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7. |
Payday
05:59
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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
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8. |
Red as Blood
06:05
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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.
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9. |
Dirt
02:25
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---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-
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10. |
Shot (Reprise)
04:44
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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
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11. |
All on You
04:23
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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
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12. |
Kindle
05:15
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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
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Andrew Vlasblom Gwangju, South Korea
Canadian, American, and French band making music in Gwangju, South Korea.
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