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James Butler Gray

from Down In Oklahoma by Jaxon Haldane

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about

A true story about the settlement of the American west. Dedicated to Russ Butler.

lyrics

In the conquest of the American west
Fear and hatred carved rivers of blood
And the armies of whites, like the cold northern lights,
Spread their way 'cross the land like a flood.

Swinging axes and spades, making widows and graves,
They killed Pawnee, Lakota and Cree.
Stout hearted braves became subjects and slaves,
Made to march to new territory.

And the prospect of a new life west
Brought change and with it families,
Pulling wagons through the wilderness,
But not immune to tragedy.

James Butler Gray headed out on the trace,
With his Colt and his kids and his wife.
They heard land was free, west of Missouri
Far from the sorrow and strife.

A share cropping man sets his eyes to the ground,
And his hands like a tool to the fire.
And his mind is consumed with his work and the tomb,
That awaits him the day he retires.

And the prospect of a new life west,
None could be worse than cotton fields.
So they traded all for one chance,
To be free.

Through the dense countryside still were remnants of tribes,
That had once been a powerful race.
They plotted revenge and exacted when,
The saw settlers a-move on the trace.

James Butler Gray seemed appropriate prey,
And they raided his party one night.
They tied up his wife, pressed his throat with a knife,
And he prepared for the end of his life.

And the prospect of a new life west,
Seemed more unsure than ever then.
Until the leader of the Indians,
Came upon James' violin.

The Indian chief muttered something in Creek,
And James felt the knife pulled from his throat.
Then to James Butler Gray the chief gestured to play,
And passed him the fiddle and bow.

James smiled at his wife, then he played for his life,
All the mournful and sweet songs of home,
And the chief saw within, beneath all that white skin,
Was a soul that resembled his own.

And the prospect of a new life west,
New lessons in humanity.
The greater part of every heart,
Is music love and poetry.

credits

from Down In Oklahoma, released October 28, 2013
Jaxon Haldane: Guitar, Vox, Harmonica

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Jaxon Haldane Winnipeg, Manitoba

Jaxon Haldane reveres tradition, but he's no purist. His punk rock roots sprouted a love for the musical styles that branched off to rock and roll.
Bluegrass, Swing, Blues, Rockabilly, Bebop, it's all in the recipe. The result is a gumbo - rich and spicy. Earthy, yet sweet. Rustic, but refined enough that you know a real chef is in the kitchen... one who cooks with love ... more

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