I do an odd form of business and software consulting. Many of my consulting gigs feel a lot like this song, so I guess it's what it's about.
lyrics
I drifted into Stunted Hope on the back of a rented mule
The sheriff was trying to raise a posse on the steps of the one room school
"We're hunting a desperado boys, by the name of Pecos Jim
And if you're wondering what Jimmy looks like, well, old Jimmy looks just like him."
He waved his rifle towards me and he belched out a curse
"Now Pecos Jimmy's always been bad, but lately he's been worse
I'd never accuse this gentleman here of being Pecos Jim
I guess it's just coincidence how much he looks like him."
The sheriff and the posse, they made ready to move on out
As schoolboy vigilantes go, they was tough enough, no doubt
The preacher mumbled Rock of Ages as he blessed the hanging rope
The undertaker sized me up and said, "Welcome to Stunted Hope."
The bank and saloon, they shared a room in the back of the dry goods store
The townfolk left their money there, whatever they'd withdraw
I sidled over to the bar and ordered up a drink
The barkeep said, "I got clear or red. Now which one's safe, do you think?"
I asked the banker, "How do folks here keep themselves amused?"
He slugged a shot and wheezed and coughed and he looked a bit confused
"Mostly we drink and try to think of some way to get the hell out of this town."
He slipped a bill from out of the till and he bought us another round
The whore in the town of Stunted Hope was named Mean Molly Burns
The preacher chatted with me while we waited to take our turns
"Can you lend me six bits?" he asked as Molly waved him in
"Thank you very kindly son. Are you sure your name ain't Jim?"
Molly tied a blindfold on and reached out for my crotch
She said, "Do whatever you want, long as I don't have to watch.
The folks in town, they're buzzing 'round, they think you're Pecos Jim."
She reached out where she thought I was and said, "Man, you sure ain't him!"
I left the money on the bed and I staggered to the street
The rented mule was painted blue from his head down to his feet
The preacher grabbed my saddle gun and he shot him between the eyes
He told me, "Dust to ashes, son - mules hate paint when it dries"
The sheriff's body was carried to town tied across the back of his horse
The banker said, "Do you think he's dead?" - Preacher Burns laughed out, "Of course.
A shame about those poor dear boys," and he tried to raise a tear
"Just think how sparse our July Fourth parade gonna be this year."
The mayor took the silver star from off the sheriff's vest
He said, "You will have to do," and he pinned it to my chest
"We've volunteered this gentleman here to track down Pecos Jim"
He shook my hand and he said, "Goddam, you know you look just like him."
credits
from Three Sides to Every Story,
released May 5, 2016
David Kelly: All instruments and voices except:
Anne Spector: Violin
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