Story Behind the Song
One of the few "story songs" i've written that takes the perspective of the world through another's eyes. It's intended to represent the thoughts of a man in the Jim Crow era, walking through the deep south, trying to get to his lover's house.
Lyrics
There's a black dog by the river,
a rope swinging from a tree,
a shake and a shiver,
as the angel was set free.
Black dog is growling,
old man is drinking kerosene.
And it's only a few more miles,
til I get to sweet Pearline.
Now these faces in the windows,
they seem so unkind.
The General Store saw me coming,
and took down their open sign.
Black dog is growling,
old man is juiced on kerosene.
And it's only a few more miles,
til I get to sweet Pearline.
There were three men with a deck of cards,
and black boots on their feet.
They played a bluff one time before
under three white sheets.
Black dog is following along..
old man is burning kerosene.
And it's less than a mile,
before I get to sweet Pearline.
..solo..
Now the sun is rising high,
just above the shacks.
Dust is blowing in my eyes,
sweat pouring down my back.
Black dog by the river again,
old man is burning kerosene.
and it's less than a mile
before I get to sweet Pearline.
Well I heard the foot steps behind me,
I heard the tree limb crack.
Heard a voice say "son, you're passing through..but you ain't passing back"..
black dog was howling..old man lit the kerosene.
And I guess I just won't make it..lord,
to sweet Pearline.
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