baron

Lyrics

The Baron

Chorus:
I wish I had of known you when you were a little younger 'round me you might have learned a thing or two
If I'd had known you longer you might be a little stronger
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do, maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do.

As he walked into the poolroom you could tell he didn't fit
With his hand made suit, custom boots, pearl handled shootin' stick
Tonight there'd be a showdown then everyone would know
Who shoots the meanest game around, The Baron or Billy Joe

Billy Joe looked edgy, about to lose his cool
But the Baron's hands were steady as the two began to duel
Yeah, he was like a General on a battlefield of slate
And he would say to Billy Joe each time he sunk the eight, he'd say...

Chorus

Now Billy Joe was busted but he hadn't felt the sting
And from the far end of the table he threw his Mother's wedding ring
And he said 'You won my money but it ain't gonna do the trick
I'll bet this ring on one more game against your fancy stick'

The Baron's eyes grew foggy as the ring rolled on the felt
And he almost doubled over like he was hit below the belt
Twenty years ago it was the ring his wife had worn
And he didn't know before he left that a son would soon be born

It sounded just like thunder when the Baron shot the break
But it grew quickly quiet as he lined up the eight
Then a warm hand touched his shoulder and it chilled him to the bone
When he turned and saw the woman who had loved him for so long.

The game was never finished, the eight ball never fell
The Baron calmly picked it up and put it on the shelf
Then he placed the ring in the hand that held him long ago
And he tossed that fancy shootin' stick to his son Billy Joe
And he said....

Chorus

Mobile Bay

The Hard Way

A Ceiling Four Walls And A Floor

Hey Hey Train

The Reverend Mr. Black & Lonesome Road

The Blues Keep Getting Bluer

Chattanooga City Limit

Recorded by Johnny Cash

Writer: Bob Drawdy

(Spoken)

[G] I was thumbin' a ride one Saturday mornin'

Out of [C] Nashville totin' my sack

I lent my [D7] car to a gal that lived in Chattanooga

And she hadn't ever brought it back. [G]

She was drinkin' pretty heavy, when I let her have it

Hope she knows it was only a loan

Ain't no tellin' what I might have told her back at the time,

But that old car was also my home.

About five miles out I was gettin' kinda tired

Sweatin' hard and feelin' kinda weak

I woke up with no cigarettes or nothin' to drink

And I hadn't had a bite to eat.

My nerves was so quick I couldn't tell where I was shakin'

Then a set of brakes sang my song

Some fellow stuck his head out a '51 Chevy

And hollered "Hey man, come on."

I tole 'em I was headin' down to Chattanooga

They said hop in, we're goin' there too

And the way they took off in a cloud of smoke

I still ain't believin' it was true.

They had their windows down, and I was sittin' in the back

With my tongue still hung in my throat

He was hittin' just about a hundred and ten

And he said, "Man, what you think of this boat?"

Well, there was two semi's a-strugglin' up ahead

One tryin' to pass the other

They had the whole road blocked so he passed 'em on the right

And let me tell you somethin' brother.

I was so nervous my that teeth was clickin'

There wasn't no way my head could think

Then the one that was sittin' on the passenger side

Turned and said, "Hey man, you want somethin' to drink?"

I just shook my head 'cause I couldn't talk

He said OK and then he said cheers

Them fools was drinkin' whiskey and wine

And chasin' it down with beer.

Well, I started sweatin' that old sticky sweat

And I know I was white as a sheet

Then one turned the radio on wide open

And said, "Hey man, check that beat."

By the time we reached the top of Monteagle

I thought I heard a rumblin' sound

And then I saw a sign that said 'FALLIN' ROCK'

And right there I was floorboard bound.

I was rollin' and squirmin' on the old floorboard

Too weak to sit or stand

And then the driver said "We're doin' a hundred and twenty

Look here man, no hands!"

I got up enough nerve to raise up and look

By now there couldn't be no surprise,

But his hair was blowin' all over my face

And dandruff blowed in both eyes.

He never did drive on the right or left

He just kept on ridin' that line

I rubbed my eyes and saw the prettiest thing

The Chattanooga City Limit Sign.

He slowed down and I said, "Mister please!

I'd like to get off right here"

He said, "Aw, ride on into town with us

We'e gonna go down n' pick up some more beer."

I said please once more and he stopped the car

And then he handed me my sack

Said they'd look for me on the road later on

(In) Case I wanted to catch a ride back.

I got out and sat down by the side of the road

Feelin' sick and lookin' mighty pale

I don't remember anything much after that

But next mornin', I woke up in jail.

I didn't know anybody in my cell,

And didn't wanta ask why I was there

But they all kept grinnin' and turnin' their heads

And it was more than my head could bear.

[G] So I called the jailer and asked him to tell me

Why I was [C] there, if he'd be so kind

He said, [S] [D] [P]

"For stoppin' traffic, while I was huggin' and kissin'

The Chattanooga City Limit Sign." [G]

Thanks To You

The Greatest Love Affair

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