The Valley Remembers My Name

The Valley Remembers My Name [Fast Cajun Gothic • Outlaw Country • Southern Hard Rock • Heavy Dark Viking • Dark Trap • Swamp Blues • 124–130 BPM] Intro (Slow Cajun accordion... distant thunder... chains rattle... boots on gravel.) Don't wake the quiet ones... We ain't asleep... We're just deciding... If your name belongs in tonight's story... ...and if the cuffs'll be any more comfortable this time. (Kick drum slams in.) Verse 1 Mama said, "Child... Don't go looking for trouble." I smiled. "I don't..." Trouble keeps finding my porch. So I leave the lantern burning. Put another pot of coffee on. Feed the hounds. Oil the hinges. Sweep the front steps... And wait to see Who forgot my name this week. Pre-Chorus Folks keep asking, "How many fights you won?" Truth is... I quit counting. About the same time The undertaker started waving Every time I drove by. Chorus I don't fear the valley of death... The valley remembers my name. Don't come looking for trouble... 'Cause trouble knows mine the same. Hell keeps the porch light burning... Heaven just shakes its head. I've buried better men... Not bragging... Just trying to remember Where I left the shovel. Verse 2 They told me, "Fear the valley." Honey... The valley remembers my boots. Every stone knows my footsteps. Every crow knows my whistle. Every ghost tips its hat When I pass by. They're good neighbors... Long as you mind your manners. Pre-Chorus 2 The wolves don't chase me anymore. They've learned I'm heading the same direction. Sometimes they lead. Sometimes I do. Depends who's hungrier. Chorus I don't fear the valley of death... The valley remembers my name. Trouble still knocks... Like it forgot what happened last time. Hell keeps the porch light burning. Heaven keeps leaving the gate cracked. I've buried better men... That's between me... The shovel... And the county records. Verse 3 The Devil bought me whiskey once. Asked, "You staying?" I laughed. "Nah... Just passing through. Got chickens to feed... Fence needs mending... And somebody's gotta remind the crows Who this valley belongs to." He just shook his head... Pushed the bottle back my way... And muttered, "See you next year." Bridge (Half-time groove. Cajun accordion underneath Viking drums.) Don't wake the quiet ones... Silence ain't surrender. It's patience. Like an anvil Waiting on the hammer. Like a river Waiting on the flood. Breakdown (Heavy Viking chants • Trap drops • Stomps • Hand claps.) HEY! Don't wake the quiet ones! HEY! You'll miss being underestimated! HEY! The wolves ain't following me... They're waiting for leftovers. HEY! Death keeps checking his watch... I'm making him late. Final Chorus I don't fear the valley of death... The valley learned my footsteps. The crows know my songs. The river knows my blood. Death tips his hat... Asks if today's inconvenient. I've buried better men... That's not pride. That's county records. Don't come looking for trouble... Bring coffee... You're gonna be here awhile. Outro (Everything falls away except Cajun accordion, distant fiddle, one slow drum.) If you come looking for trouble... Bring snacks. It's a long walk home. And if you don't make it... Tell the Devil... I'll be along... Just not today. (Ghostly female laughter... thunder rolling... a crow caws... fade to silence.)