Shepherd’s Song

By Cruz Contreras

I left my home in the year of ‘21
Blamed for the killin’, a crime I had not done
I’ll live no more in Texas but the hills of Tennessee
Goodbye wife and children, never more to see

On the banks of the river a shepherd’s wages paid
Shelter food and clothing, honest work each day
At night I hear their voices sayin’ “where have you gone?
Paw we’re cold and hungry, don’t let us be alone.”

Chorus

But I cannot go back, I’ll not return
There’s a hangman waiting, a sheriff’s warrant served
And if I was a freeman in the state that I was born
I’d go home to Texas never more to roam

Verse 3

In the seventh season the fates came to me
Sayin’ “your love has remarried and you must let her be.
The children they are taken care though never you will see.”
Damn the man who cursed that land, never I’ll be free

(Chorus)

(Solo over verse)

Sunshine stirrin’, youth but a memory
A letter came to my door though I could not read
Said “the man who done the killin’, he has now confessed.
Truth came from a death bed, your case is now dismissed.”

But I cannot go back, I’ll not return
There’s no one waiting, memories unearned
And if I was a young man in the state that I was born
I’d go home to Texas never more to roam

(Tag last line of chorus)