There are some stories of survivors and deserters at Custer's Last Stand - none substantiated, however. I created this fictitious scenario of someone who deserted - Ben Graves - and the bounty hunter who pursued him for ten years. Good stuff for a Western, I think.
Ben Graves
While ridin’ out of Emmitsburg
I chanced to meet an old friend
Said he’d been ridin’ for years and years
He thought there’d be no end.
I asked him what his business was
He said he’s lookin’ for Ben Graves
Graves, a man well known around
For killin’ but not bein’ brave
CHO
Been ten years since the Bighorn fight
Where Graves turned and ran
Been ten years he’s runnin’ from fright
No place to take a stand.
Down inside of Cutler’s Saloon
On a hot and so still noon
Graves lay drunk against the bar
Knowin’ the end was comin’ soon
His faded blue shirt with yellow stripes
Was stained with booze and blood
But not the blood of Bighorn days
To say he’d done it right
CHO
His rusty Colt sat loaded on the bar
As we came through the door
Mac, my friend, did not wait
His hate knew no end.
Before a fly had time to move
Mac had done what he came for
In a cloud of smoke, blood and booze
Ben Graves lay dead upon the floor.
CHO
Bill Madison
Singer/Songwriter
Guitarist
My musical career spans more than 40 years; from the folk music venues of Boston, New York City and Montreal during the 1960’s, to the ski resorts and honky tonks of Northern New England from the 1970’s to the 1990’s.
In 1973, I released my first album called Sunday Mornin” Hayride. That album has been re-released by Riverman Records and Yoga Records and was voted in the top ten retro re-issues for 2009 by the Acid Archives.
In 1974, I formed Them Fargo Brothers which became New England’s Premier Country Rock Band and I toured with the band until 1990.
I am currently writing and recording in my studio and marketing my CD’s through my web site and have downloads available across the web. I am also a featured artist on IMRadio.com
Please visit – www.billmadisonmusic.com
http://www.Billmadisonmusic.com
http://billmadison.wix.com/all-she-wanted-promo/home
Written by Bill Madison
Produced and Recorded by Bill Madison
All instruments by Bill Madison
Mastered by Dave McIssac at Diddle Records
Sketch of Ben Graves by Michael Sirois
Other Tracks By Bill Madison:
