Friday, September 23, 2022

The Sheriff

Here's an old super-favorite, by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, from "Trilogy" (1972). I've always loved Keith's take on honky-tonk organ.

This version was remastered in 2015.



Here's a live version, on the back of "Jeremy Bender", from "Welcome Back My Friends..."



I was delighted to find this cover version featuring Rachel Flowers with some virtual assistance from all over the place!



Big kid Josie rode away
In the sunset covered sky
A lynching mob had strung his friend up
Right before his eyes
He didn't know what they'd both done
He sure as hell would end up hung
A hot tin notch in the sheriff's gun
If he didn't move on
Get out of here

The sheriff followed Josie's trail
From Kansas City west
He said he'd put a bullet right
Through poor old Josie's chest
But Josie wasn't like the rest
He don't like bullet holes in his vest
In fact he'd do his very best
Don't want any arrest
Don't want to be the guest of the sheriff

The nights got so damned cold
He couldn't stand the pace
He looked again for sheriff's men
But couldn't see a trace
Josie found a nice warm place
But then the sheriff solved the case
Poked at gun in Josie's face
And said "Lookee here!"

The Sheriff rode him into town
With Josie lookin' sad
He didn't know about the six-gun
Big kid Josie had
Then Josie drew his gun real fast
Gave the sheriff one big blast
Now Josie runs the town at last
A legend from the past
Nobody ever messed with the sheriff