river rat: The Ballad of Tommy O'day
Logs 'n rocks fell, toppelt down a crumblin' wash
killin' four boys who sat laughin', smokin' our hash.
They'd stolen from us, our food, blankets 'n such,
left us with nothin' but hunger 'n bad luck.
You said, "Bury 'em. They got mommas, too."
'n I looked at the biggun' wearin' my shoes,
kicked dirt on his face from above, where we sat,
"That's burial enough." I said, then I hocked good 'n spat.
John Law called on Momma later that week,
scared her, slapped her, brought tears to her cheek.
We hunted that boy, mashed his badge in his chin,
it's his boots on my feet, he won't bug nobody again.
Now we're split , my cousins 'n me,
just like Daddy, 'n Pappy, runnin' forever, we'll flee.
'til that day when no door stands 'tween daylight 'n me.
I'll grease my chimney with ever' one stands in my way
'cause ain't no man can cage Tommy O'day.
