Self Portrait in an Outlaw Amish Barn
"Lonesome Liz is more than just Outalw Country, she's the female Robert Johnson." - Hank Hart, Southern Fried Magazine

video and song adaptation by Lonesome Liz

live in Richmond, video by Ron Thomas Smith

All Lyrics

  THE SEEGER SONGS

Whistlin' Dixie With Levon

a tribute to Levon Helm

Some people do so much good they're never really gone.
A little part of 'em always keeps on keepin' on.
It's actually a lot like Mr. Dylan's songs.
And I don't really know how to feel now that Levon's gone.


But I know there's a choir of angels singin' with the spirit of Jesse James.
And Annie's takin' a load off right by the pearly gates.
I'll bet the first thing Heaven said was, "Why'd you make us wait?"
And Levon's grinnin' and sayin', "Hell, I thought I was late."


Heaven's got a brighter angel now that Levon's there.

And the horns are paradin', led by Clarke Gayton.
Lonesome Liz is in a long, black veil.
Byron and the rest'll go to Acapulco
when the night winds wail.
There's a lot more to it than that
but I don't like tellin' tales.


El Diablo's still got an accordion but Levon's gone.

Ain't it funny how you never quite have enough time
to do all the things you want?
Funny life can't be more kind.
But I got a feelin' everything's gonna be just fine.

'Cause Heaven's got a brighter angel now that Levon's there.
Still, I don't really know how to feel now that Levon's gone.


Some people by the time you finally catch up with them, they're gone.
Some might do you right and some others might do you wrong.
Best you can hope's your weight ain't too heavy
and the road, it ain't too long.


And I don't really know how to feel now that Levon's gone.
But Heaven's got a brighter angel now that Levon's there.
He's whistlin' 'Old Dixie' with the spirit of Jesse James.
 
John Hardy's Hangin' Ground
 
I'm on my hanging ground.
I'm on my hanging ground.
I've travelled this wide world 'round.
Now I guess I'm going to hang around.

There's a girl glad to see me go.
There's a girl glad to see me go.
There's another says she loves me so she'll follow.
But I don't know where I'll go
from my hanging ground.

Was my last dollar I'd played.
I pulled my gun when he pulled a straight.
I laid him in his lonley grave.
I laid him in his cold, cold grave.

Guns they don't tell no lies.
No, guns they don't tell no lies.
And I can't help but cry
'cause I'm bound to die.
I'm on my hanging ground.

I almost got away.
I hopeed on a west bound train
to where noone knew my name.
Sheriff got me anyway.

Now I'm on my hanging ground.
I'm on my hanging ground.
I've travelled this wide world 'round.
Now I guess I'll just hang around.
 
Wandering William

Uncle William wandered all over the place
till he fell in love. Then he stayed.
A baby on the way, he tried to settle down.

Maybe he didn't know what he wanted,
didn't know by what but knew he was haunted.
Maybe it had t od owith reasons he'd first gone.
Or maybe a wanderin' man just keeps movin' on.

It might have been another life.
It might have been the farm, the baby, the wife.
It might have killed him.
But he needed to be free, oh wandering William.

He stayed on until the baby was born,
I guess he didn't want to leave his wife alone.
He only left on Saturday's to go to the general store.
One day Uncle William walked right out the door.
He never again walked back in anymore.

It might have been another life.
It might have been the farm, the baby, the wife.
It might have killed him.
But he needed to be free, oh wandering William.

Great-Granddaddy came by later on,
he saw the buggy and the mule, saw Uncle William was gone.
He saw the mule needed feeding, so he walked to the tobacco barn.

He found Uncle William left his baby and wife.
What was left of him slumped over a furnace pipe.
A gun in his hand, William wandered on.
I guess a wandrin' man just keeps movin' on.

Stagger Lee

A lot of people told you about Stagger Lee,
I think it's time you heard it from me.
He was mean and he was hard.
He met the Devil in a Voodoo graveyard.

Devil sold him a banjo. Devil sold him a hat.
He said even  I can't get you if you're wearin' that.
Oh he was bad, he'd do you wrong.
You know he shot his own wife for cookin' eggs too long.

He had him a woman so fine just lookin' made you holler,
best gambler in town, they called her Stack O' Dollars.
They never lost a game in that underground mine
run by that fool boy Billy de Lyons.

'Till they started losin one cold stormy night,
Stag and Billy, Lord they had a fight!
Billy shot a seven. Stack O' Dollars said she'd pass.
Stag said to him, "You done shot your last."

They each had 'em a .44.
Stack O' Dollars was lookin' at the door.
She said, "What would you do if that Devil walked in here?"
De Lyons tried to act like he won't scared.

Then boom! Boom! Boom! Went a .44
then De Lyon's lyin' dyin' on the floor.

The Sheriff was there gamblin'. The Deputy was too.
Billy said to them in the last breath he blew,
"Deputy, Sheriff, why it be
you arrest everybody but old Stagger Lee?"

They took their badges and laid them on a shelf.
They said, "If you want to get him, go get him yourself.
Or go wait for him in hell. He ain't gonna stay in jail.
The Devil's posted Stagger Lee's everlasting bail.

Billy had a pretty widow. Once he was in the ground
it won't too long before old Stag came around.
He took off his black boots, he took off his black tie.
He wouldn't take off that black hat 'cause he won't about to die.

But that De Lyon's woman knocked that hat right off his head.
She snuggled up with a Gatlin gun and shot him dead.

He went down to the Devil and the Devil he smiled.
He said, "Boy, you lost your hat. You're gonna fry a while.
And stuck to you like a shadow, mornin', noon and night
is gonna be De Lyon's cryin', 'Took my life. Won't take my wife.
 
The Wayfairing Stranger
 
I am a poor wayfairing stranger,
wandering through this world of woe;
a world of trouble, a world of danger,
nowhere to run, nowhere to go.

Chorus: I am a poor wayfairing stranger,
gone far away from all I know.
I'm only going over Jordan.
I'm only going over home.

My heart's a desert, the sun a shadow,
for all the blaze of brighter fire.
I have seen angels, they're always weeping,
while men on wings try to climb higher.

Chorus

And now dark clouds, they gather 'round me.
And now my waking is a sleep.
The moon is black. The sky is dying,
while silent stars still vigil keep.

Chorus

From 'Jesse James and the Generals',
a Wild West show...

Jesse James

Do you hear me Jesse?
Do you hear me Jesse James?
Things ain't quite the same as when we were robbin' trains.

I'm down here by Lost River.
I heard you know the cave.
I heard that you still ride through Bardstown;
heard you ain't quite in your grave.

Do you hear me Jesse?
Do you hear me Jesse James?

Wish I could ride to Northfield
with you and your boys.
Wish I could catch that cat who killed you;
he left quite a void.

Do you hear me Jesse?
Do you hear me call?
I'm down here by Lost River and it ain't no fun at all.

Do you hear etc

Do you hear me Jesse?
It's all gone to Hell.
I'm drinkin' whiskey with the Spirit of Dixie.
She says it's funny what time will tell.

Do you hear me Jesse?
Do you hear me Jesse James?
I'm hangin' out with the Spirit of the South
and she whispered your name.
Jesse James...

Robert Ford

I'm Robert Ford,
yes, the brave Robert Ford.
I turned down most of the reward.

When I shot Jesse James
I made myself a name.
Yes siree! It's me, Robert Ford!
You may boo, you may hiss,
but may I tell you this:
You don't know the whole story on Ford.

I'm not a bad man.
You gotta understand.
It had been a long time since the War.

He had outlived his time!
He was no longer in his prime!
It had been a long time since the war!

Don't you think it's good he met his end
at the hand of a friend?
Yes siree! It was me! Robert Ford.

You gotta understand.
I really liked the man.
I was giving him a hand, Jesse James.

Oh sure, he had a wife,
but what kind of life
was bein' the wife of Jesse James?

I tell you this, it's said
she anticipated lead
in him night and day anyway!

Don't you think it's good he met his end
at the hand of a friend?
Yes siree! It was me! Robert Ford.

When I shot Jesse James
I made myself a name.
Yes siree! It's me, Robert Ford!

John Bell Hood

Where are your men John?
Where are your men John?
Where are your thousand men?


They are all gone.
They are all gone,
gone like my orphans ten.


Where is your regiment?
Where is your regiment?
Why are you on your own?


They fell.
They fell.
I've lived to tell;
I, and I alone.


So little good,
so little good,
came to John Bell Hood (2x)


All you have lost John,
all you have lost John,
why do your eyes still blaze?


All I've lost is why.
If you were I
you would not be amazed.


Where are your men John?
Where are your men John?
Where are your thousand men?


They are all gone.
They are all gone;
gone like my orphans ten.


So little good,
so little good,
came to John Bell Hood. (2x)


Where are your men John?

The Gray Ghost

In the deep blue valley
'neath the sunset's purple wind
you can still hear the rally
cry of Mosby's Men.

You best hope you're on their good side.
You best hope you don't offend.
There's no end to the ride
of Col. Mosby's Men.

The Gray Ghost echoes across the viney trees.
He's sneaky like the creeper.
He's free like the breeze.

Sometimes there's a shadow.
Sometimes there's a light.
He can hide in the moonglow
or he can shine as bright.

'Cause you can't rob a spirit
like you can rob a town
and you don't have to hear it
for there to be a sound.

Like the Gray Ghost echoes etc.

We are not our ashes
but we are our dreams.
So the ghost of Mosby passes
and nothing's what it seems.

Except the Gray Ghost etc.

Jesse's Lament

I don't care if I'm remembered.
Don't care if tomorrow I meet my grave.
But I sure would like to get out
of Lost River Cave.

I don't know how this started
I thought I'd head near kin.
Ain't gonna be none on the jury
if someone turns us in.

At least not in Missouri
that's where this all began.
You can't vote, you can't even preach
if you're a Southern man.

I don't care if I'm remembered.
Don't care if tomorrow I meet my grave.
But I sure would like to get out
of Lost River Cave.

Yea, we took that bank in Liberty
for everything we could.
What else are you supposed to do
when your own money's no good?

We went on to Jackson
where we picked up our men.
We fought back and occupied Lexington
till they did our commander in.

I don't care if I'm remembered.
Don't care if tomorrow I meet my grave.
But I sure would like to get out
of Lost River Cave.

See, we took the bank in Russellville
but they shot Frankie down.
I was hopin' my kin would take us in
but they're scared that we'll be found.

At night it gets real lonesome
'cause no one's feelin' good.
It's nice about the money
but it don't help like it should.

Some say I'm gettin' famous.
Some say I'm a legend born.
But down here in Lost River
I just wish that I was warm.

Roots Country...
 
The Night and a Memory

with Eric Mellencamp

I got lost walkin' 'cause where I was goin' to
isn't really a place, it's a face, it's you.
I've worn out holes in my shoes.
It's a fright what the night and a memory can do.

I'm lost in the night and a memory.
I'm lost in the night and a memory.
You may say you've got the Devil in me
but I'm reminded of angels when I spin in your memory.

I already wasn't right when yesterday hit me.
Like a firecracker, your echo lit me.
It was like a sleeping dog that woke up and bit me,
the idea that you'll probably soon forget me.

And you left me in the night with a memory.
You left me in the night with a memory.
Wish you could let go of the Devil in me
'cause I'm reminded of angels when I spin in your memory.

I'll wake up somewhere man, I don't know.
Wish I could wake up a long time ago
before I was chasin' your shadow.
I'm always just a stones throw from your memory.

Chorus

Got lost walkin' 'cause where I was goin' too
isn't really a place, it's a face, it's you.
I'd go to Hell if I had a soul left to lose.
It's a fright what the night and a memory can do.

I'm scared of the night. I'm scared of your memory.
I'm lost in the night and a memory.
You may say I got the Devil in me
but I'm reminded of angels when I spin in your memory.

You Might be Right but It's All Gone Wrong

Another night hearin' how hard you tried.
Hours spent remindin' me that I lied.
We've been over it and over it a thousand times.
Why don't you quit? Leave me and it behind.

'Cause you might be right, but it's all gone wrong. (3x)

I'm not tired of listenin'. I'm tired of listenin' to you
say there's not a damn thing I can do
to make it better. Let's call it a draw.
Better yet, don't call me at all.

'Cause you might be right etc.

I'm gonna make things simple for a change.
Why don't you forget you know my name?
I'm leavin' in the morning, it sounds like I should.
You can talk to yourself about how I'm no good.

'Cause you might be right etc.

I Was Drinkin' Beer When the Whiskey Took Over

with Hank Brewer

I was drinkin' beer when the whiskey took over.
Woke up this mornin' in jail in Hanover.
It's been a long time since I was sober.
I'm not sure what I did.

I ain't upset and I ain't complainin'.
There's a lot of names I ain't namin'.
Bein' behind bars is kind of drainin'.
Wish they'd just send me home.

If I knew what I didn't do
I sure wouldn't tell you.
I wouldn't be here
if I'd just stuck to beer.

I was drinkin' beer when the whiskey got to me.
Sorrow rained down and the Blues walked through me.
I ain't sayin' much but it ain't on me.
So my story goes.

That's what I say and I'm stickin' to it.
I might be here but I didn't do it.
I was gonna run but I figured screw it.
That's all you need to know.

I been in here too long.
I ain't done no wrong.
I wouldn't be here.
If I'd just stuck to beer.

I was drinkin' beer when the whiskey hit me;
then his memory, then the misery.
I'm pretty sure the Devil bit me.
Just leave me alone.

The Judge looked straight at me this mornin';
said he'd given me fair warnin'.
The whole damn thing is kinda alarmin'.
Wish they'd just send me home.

If I knew what I didn't etc.

Took 3 baliff's and a sherrif to hold me
when my lawyer up and told me
down the river those bastards sold me;
bottom line, I'm gone.

We Agree

Two of us in a place just big enough for one.
It's been a long time since I've had fun.
Go away it's over. Go away it's done.
It's been a long time since I've had fun.

We don't agree but we agree
I can't stand you and you can't stand me.
No, we don't agree, but we agree
I can't stand you and you can't stand me.

You say you feel bad about it, well I kinda doubt it.
Keep talkin to yourself you don't listen to me.
You're drivin me crazy. Quit callin me baby.
It ain't my fault you don't want to see.

That we don't agree, etc.

You won't let me talk. Why don't you take a walk?
Keep on walkin', don't run back to me.
I'm gettin distracted and you're over reactin'.
It ain't my fault you don't want to see.

That we don't agree, etc.

You Drove Me to Drinkin' Now Who's Gonna Drive Me Home?

with Keith Marcum
 
I'm tired of thinkin'. I'm tired of blinkin'
the tears away from my eyes.
I don't want to know where you go
every night you tell me good-bye.

Something ain't right.
Even though we don't fight
there's words hangin' in the air
that we breathe between us.
I don't make a scene 'cause
when I want to, you're just not there.

You drive me away and you leave me alone.
You'll never say where you're goin'.
I'm so tired of thinkin'.
You drove me to drinkin'.
Now who's gonna drive me home?

I just can't stay
here while you're away.
The room echoes you so
I go out to borrow a better tomorrow
every today I have to let you go.

You drive me away and you leave me alone, etc
Quit Talkin'
 
Baby you know I love the things you say;
tellin' me you love me every day.
But tellin' me them things you do
makes me wanna do them things to you.
For now quit talkin' and just get walkin my way.

Baby you know I could gaze into your eyes
till the day I fall down and die.
But every time I look at you
there's so much more I want to do.
Never mind the gazin lets fall down, you know why.

I love you and you love me.
That's the way it's supposed to be.
That's somethin that's nice to know.
It's even nicer to let it show.

Baby you know I love the things you say, etc.

One Hundred Years
It's all gone wrong. I been up so long
I can't count the dawns.
You're fast asleep. I can hardly keep
from takin' you in my arms.

I have to go. We both know
it's all gone too far.
I'm runnin away. I wish I could stay.
Wish I could stay for a hundred years.

If I knew I had a hundred years
to do what I wanted to,
I would spend a hundred years
wakin' up with you.
Things don't always work out the way
I would like them to.
I'm runnin' away and I wish I could stay.

There's so much to stay it would take a day.
I don't have that anymore.
No matter how I tried, I know your eyes
wouldn't look at me like before.
When we first kissed I felt like I missed you,
like I never missed anyone more.
Felt like it had been a hundred years.

So this is goodbye. I can't say I won't cry
but I guess I'll be ok.
I won't forget it and I won't regret it
I'm not that way.
It's gonna take more than a lifetime to stop
wishin' you had stayed.
It would take more than a hundred years.

Chorus
 
Blues...

Rainy Day Longing

Rainy day longing
for my rainy day you.
Sometimes in the morning
the sky and I are more blue.

Rain echoes and you haunt me
like a shadow that's dancin' all the time.
It would be better if you didn't want me
but I can't say that I mind.

Sometimes you fall like rain in my footsteps.
Other times you put up a fight.
I should probably have a few regrets.
Maybe some day soon I might.

Rainy day longing
for my rainy day you.
You keep creepin' up without warning.
The sky and I are blue.
 
The Morning After
 
Every day I wake up and I'm drunk from the night before.
Every day I swear I'll never drink no more.
Then I smoke two packs of cigarettes.
Then I swear I'll kick my habits.
I usually do what I say I'll do
and one of these days, boy I'm gonna kick you.

'Cause it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.

I wake up mad at everything. I'm mad at nothin' too.
I'm mad at the sun for risin' and most of all I'm mad at you.

'Cause it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.

I know it don't do me a bit of good.
I don't think I'd take you back if I could.
I know you're not my whole problem,
but I've got a lot and it's hard to solve 'em

when it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
 
The Only Me Worth Keepin' You Kept
You and your carnival eyes, you bitterly slippery prize,
you attract every passer by,  I hang my head and sigh.
Because I'm willin' to bet someday I'm gonna get left.

You don't imagine the way you're draggin'
my heart down like an undertow, everyone else does though.
To them it's no secret someday I'm gonna get left
and I know it's gonna feel,
I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.

And nonbody's blamin' me, although they can plainly see
there's no guarantee of you permanently.
They'd all do the same I'd bet and that's why I'm gonna get left
and I know it's gonna feel,
I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.
Yes I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.

Steady Theme
It's a steady theme, lately I can't seem
to find you off my mind but I don't mind.
I'm jealous of the dream of you and I it seems,
we're in a bind but I don't mind.

I'm dazed, dizzy, distressed, delighted.
I don't know what's come over me.
I'm foolish, at a loss, excited,
no tellin' to what degree you've changed me.
I'm all turned around, cant tell up from down,
I'm gone on you, yes it's true.
I'm frightened by the sound of things I've found
you made me do (and I wanted to).

It must be just like flying, the way you've come over me.
Still, there's just no denying, I should know better
do you see what you do to me?

Strange to see my face in it's usual place
in the mornin' time, strange you're not mine.
Nothin' can replace you, I try to trace you
in each line, I've lost my mind.

It's a steady theme, I'm lost, I'm off my beam,
what do you propose? Heaven knows.
I'm jealous of the dream, can you tell me what it means,
how the next part goes in this steady theme?

Here's to You

We're both far away from who and where we were then.
Time one of us said we knew the other when.
Now here I am doin' what I always wanted to.
Guess it should be here's to me but golly gee,
well here's to you.

Nothin' in life's ever like what it was before.
Except that funny feelin' someone might walk through a door.
You and your face are far away from this place, well good for you.
I finely see it's good for me but golly gee,
well here's to you.

Here's to the fun, to all we've said and done
here's to the fightin' too.
Here's to it all, had a ball after all.
So here's to you.

Let's have another round for all I've found to be true.
Let's have one more for all I know's a lie now too.
For all I know, don't or won't, you're what I am most glad I knew.
Here's to everything, every song I sing, it's here's to you.

It's been a long time, I'm doin' just fine,
hope that's how you're doin' too.
Here's to everything, every song I sing, it's here's to you.
 
Insult to Injury
 
You're right again. I can't win.
I screwed up, blame luck.
You're nearly flawless and I'm a total mess.
Yea, what's wrong with you is me.
All you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to injury.

You can't stand me or undertand me.
You were doin' fine when you weren't mine.
Leave me behind, I won't mind.
'Cause what's wrong with you is me,
all you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to inury.

You're right again. I can't win.
I screwed up, blame luck.
I'm the reason you're life ain't pleasin
I'm the solitary cause of your very few flaws.
What's wrong with you is me.
All you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to injury.

Rock & Misc...

 
A Love Song for You
 
If I could write a love song, I'd write one for you;
all about what went wrong, and what's right with you.
If I could compose an emotional ballad or two,
I'd play 'em all and say they were all about you.
 
If I believed that wishes could come true,
I'd wish I could write a love song and I'd play it for you.
 
I'm bored and mean.
I'm incomplete.
I need you to step back a beat.
I feel alright.
I ain't uptight.
I just never get love songs right.
 
But if I could write a love song,
I'd write one for you.

If I could compose an emotional ballad or two,
I'd play 'em all and say they were all about you,
in a love song for you.
 
Bucket of Woes
 

I just dropped back in to tell you,
lately you've been on my mind.
Been wonderin' what you might be goin' through
and no, I didn't think you'd mind,
but I didn't know what I'd find.
I'm sorry I left you behind.

Now you're fallin', should I catch you?
Now you're smilin', should I cry?
We know I always see right through you.
There's no way left for you to lie.
So I laugh and cry.
I'm sorry I said goodbye.

But will you won't you, will you won't you?
Will you won't you, won't you dance with me?
No, something in you died and I think,
I think it's cause you see
that even I couldn't save you.
And no, I never forgave you.

Guess I finally got all the answers.
Weren't the ones I wanted to know.
Dancin hurts the feet of dancers.
It's hard stayin on your toes.
I'm sorry that's how it goes.
I stuck it in my bucket of woes.

But once you dont you, once you won't you?
Once you chanced it all you danced with me.
Now something in you died, and I think,
I think it's 'cause you see
that even I couldn't save you.
And no, I never forgave you.

I just dropped back in to see you.
Thought you might like seein me.
Thought by now somethin would have freed you.
I remember when we all thought it was me.
Why are you still not free?
Sorry I had to see.

West Nashville Waltz

I was tired of hidin', tired of fightin'
with the volitile kin of Jesse James.
I decided to call on a Senator's daughter
though it's really not like me to complain.

She came right away, took me out of Kentucky;
said, "Come on, we're goin' down to Tennessee."
I ain't left yet and I tell you they're lucky.
This town's full of Outlaws but sure needed me.

And I haven't slept since I got to Nashville.
There's a man from Memphis sittin' by me.
I ain't got nothin' but more time to kill.
There's somethin' about nothin' that's just fine with me.

They don't call my name, they just call me 'The Outlaw'.
They're right about that, 'cause what I didn't tell;
Cookeville's County Attorney was plottin' my downfall.
I was wanted for raisin' ten kinds of Hell.

Cookeville ain't Nashville and I had to be there.
Wish I could call my Daddy, but my Daddy's gone.
There's a whole lot of things in life that just ain't fair.
There's a whole lot of things that can really go wrong.

And I still hadn't slept since I'd got to Nashville.

I somehow got through it without a bench warrant.
With help from a posse and a good attorney.
Back to West Nashville ballrooms
and a house I'm sure's haunted.
And a man from Memphis sittin' by me.

I haven't slept etc.

I forgot to mention the Diplomat's daughter.
She's pretty as springtime in Tennessee.
I keep tryin' to warn her 'cause I think someone oughta.
She's in over her head but won't listen to me.

She's kinda tortured and she's kinda quiet.
She's kinda like you and kinda like me.
If she needed a drink, well I guess I'd buy it.
But what she really needs is to leave Tennessee.

And I still haven't slept etc.

I'm tired of endin'
back to the beginnin'
and a man from Memphis sittin' by me.
Back to West Nashville ballrooms
and a house I'm sure's haunted.
This town's full of outlaws
but it sure needed me.
 
Hotter Than Your Girlfriend

Why don't you go away quit talkin' to me.
Quit tellin' me what kind of friends you want to be;
'cause I know, oh yea it shows.
I'm hotter than your girlfriend.

Don't go tellin' me you're not that kind of guy.
If looks could kill, she's shot me I'll die.
You can't deny. Don't even try.
I'm hotter than your girlfriend.

Don't feel bad you're not the only one.
I have to say the same thing to every one I've said to you;
'cause it's true. It's nothing new.
I'm hotter than your girlfriend.

The one sittin' right over there,
lookin' at me with a razor stare. Yea I think she means it,
'cause it's no secret,
that I'm hotter than your girlfriend.

I'm hotter than everybody's girlfriend.
I bet I just pissed off your girlfriend.

Jesco at the Ryman

with Jesco White

Jesco's for law and order the way that it should be.
This song's about one night he went to Nashville Tennessee.
He'd been called a dancin outlaw in many a magazine.
So they'd booked him at the Ryman with the Black Keys.

He left Boone Co with a posse like Nashville'd never seen.
He had Mamie with him and his girlfriend Beverly.
Nashville wanted Jesco like they thought he should be
but he did everything but dance according to Mamie.

Nashville thought the Jesco business done got out of hand.
What started out to be a joke the law wouldn't understand.
Was it the Markers Mark that made him get so out of hand?
Nashville thought the Jesco business done got out of hand.

He had the whole crowd rockin' but soon Mamie's chargin' in;
'cause that dancin' outlaw'd done got outta hand again.
She had to pull him off the stage at the Ryman.
Just like Johnny Cash & Waylon; Jesco fit right in.

Then Jesco decided that he wanted barbeque.
Next thing you know he's lost his goddamn shoes.
Someone made a call to Wildweed and old Cuz saw him through.
They'd wound up on a park bench beside the Daily News.

Nashville thought, etc

They somehow got a cab and Jesco thought he would see
what it would sound like if he smacked the driver's head a time or two or three.
The guy thought they were gonna kill him, "I'm gonna call the law" he told Mamie.
Mamie said, "If I'm goin to jail ain't gonna be in Tennessee!"

Well the finally made it back to the hotel where Jesco stayed,
that's where he decided he'd been subjected to foul play.
He was gonna get revenge and he was gettin' it today!
He took it out on that hotel room, tore it up the outlaw way.

Nashville thought, etc

Nashville wanted Jesco the way they thought he should be;
just like he is in that song about him by Hank III.
Was it singin' through his nose, the Marker's Mark or Mamie?
That posse from Boone County like somethin' Nashvilled' never seen.

Nashville thought, etc

live with the Goddamn Gallows, video by Ron Thomas Smith

with Jesco the Dancing Outlaw, video by Ron Thomas Smith

with the Richmond Blues Society, video by Ron Thomas Smith