The Ballad of the Jellico Pill Pusher

It's a muddy day at the Fine's Creek Lodge
The River runoff was high on the ol' French Broad

Been on the lamb for two straight weeks
Where I shot a man down in Tennessee

They's a Baptist church with bloody front steps
Across from a whore house where me and him met

An ol pill pusher born of Jellico
He pointed at the door said I oughta go

Reached for my gun but he got his first
My hand was tangled in his old lady's purse
His first shot blew off the lamp shade
The second shot nicked my neck and a Willie braid

The third shot went through his belt rung
Across the room from the end of my gun

He fell out the door and started down the stairs
Her wrists were on her ears and her hands in her hair

I lit a cigarette and picked up my hat
Stole a whiskey mini from the whore house rat

I stepped outside with no intention to kill
I proceeded on his trail of blood and pills
Found his tethered britches at the sanctuary door
And a dirty sweatshirt on the alter floor

He took his last breath in the baptismal pool
Reckon I hit a vein cause the water was soiled

Lookin' out over the pews I sucked my teeth
Knowin' he ain't got a door where I could hang a wreath

The next day I got out of Campbell County
It was Sunday morning, and I'm sure that they found him

So here I sit on the promenade
Of the ol' French Broad and its muddy today
Looking over my shoulder for the ghost I made
Hopin' he'll bring me back my ol Willie braid