Gunslinger
“Gunslinger” song notes
“Gunslinger” started as a simple melody on the guitar, with an open tuning. I was trying out some chords and finger placements. The chord progression developed, and some words followed. My father was declining in health at that time, and he had said previously, (paraphrasing), “you’ll need to look after the family”. I felt the weight of it as being important to him to carry out his wishes, but thought in my storyteller way, what if this was a conflictual request. What if looking out for family, (or friends), comes with a high cost, and putting oneself in precarious, or criminal activities. Gunslinger speaks to family loyalty and protectiveness at any cost.
“GUNSLINGER”
(Chapter 1)
THE GUNSLINGER LEFT AT MIDNIGHT,
THE SHERIFF LEFT AT DAWN,
CHASE AND ESCAPE, FOR 6 LONG YEARS, THIS CAT AND MOUSE GAME, WENT ON
(THEY WERE) BROTHERS IN THEIR YOUTH, THEY USED TO LAUGH AND PLAY,
TALKED OF WHEN THEY’D BE TALL AND STRONG,
THEIR FATHER SAID TO THEM, I HOPE YOU HAVE FRIENDS
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER,….. IN THE END,
THE GUNSLINGER RODE INTO A SMALL TOWN.
THE SHERIFF WAS CLOSE BEHIND,
SEEKING SALVATION WAS A DREAM LONG GONE, ALL THEY HAD WAS EACH OTHER NOW,
PLEADING PRAYERS HAD FADED TOO, THEIR SIX SHOOTERS WORKED SO WELL.
THEIR FATHER SAID TO THEM, I HOPE YOU HAVE FRIENDS,
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER, …….IN THE END,
AN AMBUSH WAITED IN ABILENE, TO TAKE THE GUNSLINGER DOWN,
SAID WE’LL GET THE BOUNTY, SPIT ON HIS GRAVE, AND CURSE HIS FAMILY CLAN,
THE SHERIFF ROAD AHEAD, AND TOLD ‘EM, I SHOT HIM FIRST,
AND THE VULTURES HAD A FEAST,
SO YOU YOUNG GUNS GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES, THAT’S WHERE
YOU ARE BLESSED….., I’M NOT BLESSED……….
AND THE BROTHERS HEADED SOUTH TOWARDS MEXICO, AND NEVER LOOKED BACK,
BLOOD WAS THICKER THAN WATER, IN THE END,…..IN THE END.