We Just Smell That Way
Back in the late fifties and early sixties, the fast draw craze was goin' round and I got pretty fast with a Colt 45. I kept that thing cleaned with powder solvent, oiled her down every day and had a hair spring trigger. I could draw and cock and fire somewhere under a half a second, and I thought I was just about as fast as old John Wesley Hardin or any of the rest of them. I got to really livin' the role. I thought it was 1881 and somebody was comin' after me. Sometimes I'd put on that gun at night and go out lookin' for them bad men. Wound up shootin' every tree in the yard full of holes and God only knows why I didn't shoot off my toes.
Then I bought myself a Civil War pistol, a cap and ball job, that fired black powder smoke up my nostrils, I was like a wild burrow. It does strange things to a man. That hammer would hit the cap, the cap would fire, the powder would explode and that round lead ball would go deep into the gut of that imaginary bad man. Then I'd sniff and snort and paw like a bull, lookin' for something else. I thought I was invincible. Black powder smoke does that to you.
In the days before the security check points in airports, I carried my pistol and my fast draw holster on the road. I had a showdown with Johnny Western one night in Minneapolis (blanks, of course) and he killed me seven times in a row. In Waterloo, Iowa, Gordon terry and I had a standoff. "Sissies use blanks," he said, and my bullet (blank) found its mark and so did his, (real) the toe of his boot. In Sydney, Australia, in the hotel corridor, Sammy Davis, Jr. and I had a standoff and he dropped me cold. "It only takes one good eye to shoot, Cash", he laughed.
Well, I went back to practicing, but by the time I did get really fast, the craze had died out and all of those swift gunslingers had hung up their holsters. Of course, every week I drew on Jim Arness at the beginning of Gunsmoke, but there was something kind of unfulfilling about drawin' against the T.V.
Later on, I did that movie with Kirk Douglas where we squared off. I think I got him, but I never did know for sure because I couldn't understand the ending of that movie.
A few years ago, Hank Williams, Jr. gave me a pistol that belonged to his daddy. (It's in the picture of this album.) I keep her close by and loaded with five bullets, the hammer being down on the empty chamber, 'cause even though I feel I am now the fastest gun alive, I'd spin that cylinder and give any slowpoke a one out of six chance to be standing after the smoke clears. But I want to say to all you weak thumbed, wishy washy, gun shy, lily livered, young, shaky, tenderfoot owl hoot, whippersnapper, that this ain't the movies, so don't come tryin' me. You're not gettin' a chance to prove me wrong. Old gunfighters never die, we just go on smellin' like black powder.
- John D. (Deadeye) Cash -
JOHNNY CASH
THE LAST GUNFIGHTER BALLAD
Columbia PC-34314January/1977
Produced by Charlie Bragg & Johnny Cash
Recorded:1976, Columbia Recording Studio, Nashville
1.
I WILL DANCE WITH YOU
(Jack Wesley Routh)« © '76 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
I sang your song before you ever came along
But that don't mean I'll sing along
I've never waltzed to home sweet home but I will dance with you
I spread my wings before you ever learned to fly
Like flocks of wild geese in the sky
See one more shore before they die I will fly with you
With you I'll dream before we ever fall asleep
The dreams you always hope to keep
And though they may fall to our feet I will dream with you
I drink your wine and taste the sweetness of your vine
And if I haven't aged with time before the days begin to twine I will age with you
I sang your song before you ever came along but that don't mean I'll sing along
I've never waltzed to home sweet home but I will dance with you
**********
2.
LAST GUNFIGHTER BALLAD
(Guy Clark)« © '76 World Song Publishing, ASCAP »
The ole gunfigter stood on the porch and stared into the sun
And relived all the ole days back when he was livin' by the gun
When deadly games of pride were played and livin' was mistakes not made
And the thought of the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
The thought of the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
And it's always keep your back to the sun
And you can almost feel the weight of that gun
It's faster than snakes or the blink of an eye
And it's a time for all slow men to die
His eyes get squinty and he's straight as log
As he empties his gun at the dirty dog
And he's hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Now the burn of a bullet is only a scar
And he's back in his chair in front of the bar
And the streets're empty and the blood's all dry
The dead 're dust and and the whiskey's inside
So buy him a drink and lend him an ear
He's nobody's fool and he's the only one here
Who remembers the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Remembers the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Said I stood in that street before it was paved
I learned to shoot or be shot before I could shave
And I did it all for the money and the fame
Noble was nothin' but feelin' no shame
And nothin' was sacred but stayin' alive
And all that I learned from a Colt 45
Was to cuss the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Cuss the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Now he's just an ole man that nobody believes
Says he's a gunfighter the last of this breed
And there's ghosts in the street seekin' revenge
Callin' him out to the lunatic fringe
He's out in the traffic now checkin' the sun
And he's killed by a car as he goes for his gun
So much for the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
So much for the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
**********
3.
FAR SIDE BANKS OF JORDAN
(Terry Stephen Smith)« © '76 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, BMI »
[ with June Carter ] I believe my steps are growin' wearier each day
Still I got another journey on my mind
Lures of this ol' world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leavin' you behind
But if it proves to be his will that I am first to cross
And somehow I've a feelin' it will be
When it comes your times to travel likewise don't feel lost
For I will be the first one that you'll see
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow water reaching for your hand
Through this life we labor hard to earn our meager fare
It's brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I'll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come then we'll see paradise
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan...
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan...
**********
4.
RIDIN' ON THE COTTON BELT
(Johnny Cash)« © '76 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
(I resently went to a big homecomin' celebration
In Cleveland County Arkansas where I was born
Whole family went down and there was a great day for us
I felt like this day was special especially for my mother and my daddy
Though it was daddy's and mama's homecomin'
And I was so proud of 'em ridin' in that carriage
Down the Main Street of Rison Arkansas
Sometimes the songs I write sound like I'm talkin' about myself
But actually in some of these songs
Especially this one I'm writin' it about my daddy)
Ridin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be
I got on at Brinkley and ev'ry mile I make is a memory
This boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air
But my hard times are behind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't care
And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the pitchin' rolling rhythm and the noise
Railroad men are friends of mine and I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt boys
Ridin' on the Cotton Belt across that little river called Saline
That's where I went fishin' and I hunted in her bottoms as a teen
Now just ahead's a farmhouse and in the kitchen window there's a light
And I've just got fourteen dollars but I'm takin' it and myself home tonight
And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line...
Jumpin' off the Cotton Belt ain't easy when she's going forty per
But I see my wife standin' there hopin' that I'm comin' home to her
I got a few new cuts and bruises but this ol' workin' hobo's made a home
So long to your Cotton Belt thank you for the ride keep rolling on
I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line...
**********
5.
GIVE IT AWAY
(Tom T. Hall)« © '76 Hallnote Music, BMI / Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
Well I woke up this mornin' I had somethin' on my face
It was still there when I brushed my teeth still there when I shaved
I showed it to my neighbor and he broke into a grin
I gave it away I gave it away
Smiles don't cost money give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say
Give it away give it away
I woke up this mornin' with a song in my heart
I hummed it all through coffee and it gave my day a start
I took my song to work with me and I sang it for my friend
I gave it away I gave it away
Yes Jesus loves me give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say
Give it away give it away
[ guitar - piano ] Don't think people do not care I know they care a lot
Don't be bashful of somebody give it all you've got
Understandin' means more than you ever thought it could
So give it away give it away
Love someone sometime give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say
Give it away give it away
Give it away give it away
**********
6.
YOU'RE SO CLOSE TO ME
(Mac Davis)« © '76 Screen Gems Music, BMI / Songpainter Music, BMI »
You're so close to me your body and your soul are now a part of me
We are one now no one could ever know just what you are to me
You're so close to me your deepest darkest secrets all belong to me
I am you you are me you're so close to me
And in the mornin' I can look into your eyes and know your feelin's
We can talk to one another without speekin'
And if it's lovin' that you're gonna know it
Your sweet eyes show it ev'ry mornin'
You're so close to me...
And in the evenin' I can feel your gentle softness without touchin' you
I don't need another thing I've got so much in you
And if it's lovin' that you wanT I'm gonna give it
I'm gonna live it ev'ry evenin'
You're so close to me your body and your soul are now a part of me...
**********
7.
CITY JAIL
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Back when I first came to this town I was hangin' around the bus station cafe there
Mindin' my own business like I always do
And I thought I'd check out the action like I always do
And I gave this waitress the big eye and I made a few choice personal comments
About what I thought mine and her possibilities could be for a team
When she called the badge on me
The badge grabbed me by the arm and said
Hey boy what are you hangin' around here for and I said for whatever's goin' around
City jail city jail like an ol' scared dog I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word I said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more at city jail
He said no what I mean is what are you doin' sayin' things like that to that lady
And I said what's that lady's doin' with purple hair
And the badge said you're smart alec ain't you boy and I said no sir I'm just hungry
And he said well you're actin' like a smart alec
And I said well that's how I act when I get hungry
City jail city jail...
Well he took me outside to a dark corner
And before I could say hypocrite he hit me on the head
And I said don't hit me on the head
I can't protect myself with these handcuffs on
Then he hit me again and he hit me again
And I said don't stand on my feet when you hit me
I'll break my ankles when I fall
City jail city jail...
Well about te time they threw me in the wagon
That waitress walked out with a sailor
And I said hey you not you sailor I'm talkin' to the purple people eater
You lady quote you're the cause of it all unquote
Then she said to the sailor she said get me away from that horrible man Harry
Well as they hauled me away I said ev'rybody have a nice evenin'
City jail city jail...
I gotta sleep on the floor once more at city jail
**********
8.
CINDY I LOVE YOU
(Johnny Cash)« © '76 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
We never really got right down to talkin'
We couldn't seem to find the place or time
Distance in the miles between us made us kinda strangers
And it added to the distance already there between our minds
And Cindy I love you yes I love you yes I love you
And when I can't think of anything to say
Don't be readin' somethin' in my mind that isn't there
Remember Cindy I love you anyway
[ guitar ] I look at you and wonder what you're thinkin'
I'm sure you felt the same a time or two
We must both remember that true love should costs us nothin'
You just owe me your affection and I owe the same to you
And Cindy I love you yes I love you yes I love you...
Remember Cindy I love you anyway
**********
9.
BALLAD OF BARBARA
(Johnny Cash)« © '76 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
In a southern town where I was born that's where I got my education
I worked in the fields and I walked in the woods and I wondered at creation
I recall the sun in a skies of blue and the smell of green things growin'
And I lived ev'ryday and I lived anyway anyway the wind was blowin'
But then I heard of a cultured city life breath taking lofty steeples
And the day I called myself a man I left my land and my people
And I rambled north and I rambled east and I tested and I tasted
And a girl or two took me round and around but always left me wasted
In the world that's all concrete and steel with nothin' green ever growin'
Where the buildings hide the risin' sun and stop the free wind from blowin'
Where they sleep all day and they wake all night to a world of drink and laughter
I met that girl that I thought would be the one that I was after
In a soft blue gown and a formal tux beneath that lofty steeple
He said do you Barbara take this man will you be one of his people
And she said I will and she said I do and the world looked mighty pretty
And we lived in a fancy downtown flat cause she loved the noisy city
Then the days grew cold beneath the yellow sky and I longed for green things growin'
And I talked of home and my people there but she'd not agreed to goin'
Then her hazel eyes turned away from me with a look that wasn't very pretty
And she turned into concrete and steel and she said I'll take the city
Now the cars go by on the Interstate and my pack is on my shoulder
And I'm goin' home where I belong much wiser now and older
**********
10.
THAT SILVER HAIRED DADDY OF MINE
(Gene Autry - Jimmy Long)« © '31 Western Music, ASCAP »
[ with Tommy Cash ]
In a vine covered shack in the mountains
Bravely fighting the battle of time
There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow
It's that silver haired daddy of mine
If I could recall all the heartache
Dear ol' daddy I've caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face
And bring back the gold to your hair
If God would but grant me the power
Just to turn back the pages of time
I would give all I own if I could but atone
To that silver haired daddy of mine
[ piano ] If I could recall all the heartache...
**********
