Gunslinger Blues

Lyrics for a twelve bar Blues/Rock song.

 Some men call me killer,

A few men call me friend,

Some think I am their saviour,

Others see me as their end.

Chorus

Well,I'm too bad to go to heaven,

And the Devil's running scared,

I guess I'll have to live forever,

That won't be too hard to bear.

I can win a hundred gunfights,

But I can only ever lose the one,

When there's trouble I'm always welcome,

But when it's over they want me gone.

Chorus

I know I am the fastest,

At least, that's true today,

But when someone faster comes along,

I'll buy an early grave.

Chorus

As the body count gets higher,

And my enemies multiply,

I know it's only a matter of time,

Until the day I die.

Chorus

I'll leave nothing good behind me,

No loving woman crying at my grave,

Death has been my lone companion,

My soul's too far gone to save.

Chorus

But when the Devil comes a-calling,

I'll strap on my trusty guns,

Storm Hell with pistols blazing,

And make those demons run.

Chorus

© 2018 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

I am presently writing another Western, this time a full-length novel, so I have gunslingers on the brain at the moment! This song came to me in the middle of the night while I was trying to figure out what Jeb Cassidy would be getting up to next!

Reviews

[A. Kim Spradling]

As we've discussed, I love the WEST!! I guess it is all a part of living in Texas and on a ranch. That's why I chose Belle Star(r) as my name here. Notorious outlaw... I am not an outlaw... But.... Sometimes I think some of the bad guys might have had some good qualities. Sorry, I digress, about your writing.... I LOVE this piece too. BUT, I have not lost all hope for the outlaw in this poem.... I am sure he has some redeeming qualities, especially if some call him saviour or friend? I am a ... HOPEFUL... person even though I am the notorious Belle Starr!!

[The Iron Horseman]

You live on a ranch? God, I'm green with envy now! I love horses, so the thought of living on a ranch is heaven.
I wrote this, as mentioned above, because I can't stop thinking about gunslingers at the moment.
Perhaps I will work Belle Starr into the next book!
Wasn't she cosy with Cole Younger at one point?

[casablancavic]

I liked it plenty.

Which singer/band do you think fits this style?

I get a strong Bon Jovi 80's . 90's feeling - maybe Guns N Roses or Poison or Pat Benatar

Tell me more about how you think that this goes...

[The Iron Horseman]

I was channeling Bad Company when I wrote this one, but Guns 'n' Roses would also be great!

[Paul Bell]

The lonely life of the gunslinger.
Always in need.
But just for awhile.
Never turns his back
His gun is his keeper.

[The Iron Horseman]

Actually, I think 'for a while' probably summed up his entire existence!

[Paul Bell]

Always liked Louis L'amour

[The Iron Horseman]

You and me both. And Zane Grey.

[barleygirl]

This reminds me of the way country songs USED to sound . . . the way it was done by Pure Prairie League & Marshall Tucker Band & Charlie Daniels Band, back in the day (& still a little bit today). The language is done in an artfully poetic way, just the way those old wrangling songs used to do -- simple concepts, but stated in original way. It's rare to whip out so many verses & still have it sound good & flow well (((HUGS))) fondly, Margie

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! Thank you, Margie. It's intended to be a blues rock number, but if one of those guys wanted to record it I wouldn't have a problem with that. I would love someone to record it!

[barleygirl]

I used to listen to country rock which has blues influence, from way back in the day! Here's wishing you the best in advancing your songwriting! *smile*

[The Iron Horseman]

Yes, sometimes country rock can be hard to distinguish from either blues or rock, except for the cowboy hats and steel guitars! :)
Thank you for the good wishes.

[Anise]

very cool, will you record it?
would love to hear it

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! I'd love to hear it, too! But no longer have a band to record it with, so I would like someone else to record it.
Glad you liked it though.

[Anise]

ha, i have a lot of stuff i would love for someone to record too :) so if you find someone then please let me know!

[The Iron Horseman]

I will do that, my friend. What we need is a young, up and coming band who need songwriters!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This brought back pleasant memories of my father... watching his favorite western movies with him, while pretending to be the fastest gun in the west. Really enjoyed this ride, thank you! Great write!

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! Thanks, Travis. I know exactly what you mean - my Dad and I used to do the same thing. The bannister rail was my horse! :D

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Mine was our unusually tall Dalmatian named, Duke. Lol

[The Iron Horseman]

:)..........