[Verse 1] The crick was high that spring, rain came down Washed the red clay right outta the ground Silas found her by the old oak tree A sight no man oughta ever see Her yellow dress, tangled in the weeds Like a broken bird, planting bitter seeds [Verse 2] Sheriff Brody, he came round quick Said, "Silas, boy, you lookin' mighty sick" Silas just stood there, pale as the moon Knew right then he'd be leaving too soon They hauled him in, no questions asked The whole damn town wore a judging mask [Chorus] They say the law works blind, but I seen it plain They picked a scapegoat to ease the pain Covered it up with a badge and a lie Left a good man to hang out to dry In this small town, truth don't always ring Sometimes a whisper is a powerful thing [Verse 3] Remember old man Hemlock, owns the mill? Always had a temper, a dangerous feel His eyes would narrow, his jaw would set When anyone crossed him, you'd never forget He had a daughter, a wild, pretty thing The one Silas found, After her spirit took wing [Violin Solo] [Bridge] Silas got twenty-five years before we had our first legal beer All because he found that girl Sending our town into a whirl Who can win When you get twenty-five years For another man's sins [Pre-Chorus] But Hemlock, he had friends in high places All over these hollows, all over these spaces [Chorus] They say the law works blind, but I seen it plain They picked a scapegoat to ease the pain Covered it up with a badge and a lie Left a good man to hang out to dry In this small town, truth don't always ring Sometimes a whisper is a powerful thing
