He came in from East Alabama with a hat too wide for rain a Bible full of coffee stains and a snake-skin guitar case name His boots were full of highway dust his smile was full of bite and every step he took in town made the chickens walk upright Festus saw him first and said “Now mercy, what is that?” Doc looked up from his coffee cup and nearly dropped his hat The stranger tipped his brim and said “I come where hearts behave like scared little prairie dogs hiding in a cave” I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do He stepped into the Long Branch like thunder learned to grin the piano player saw him and invited trouble in Miss Kitty raised one eyebrow with that queenly saloon grace and Matt stood by the doorway wearing weather on his face The Reverend looked at Kitty then at Matt from head to toe then turned around to Festus and said, “That man moves slow” Festus nodded sadly “Slow is being kind that man’s been courting silence since nineteen sixty-nine” I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do He said, “Now Brother Marshal I can see your noble pain but pride without confession is just dust dressed up as rain” Matt said, “Mister, easy” in his low and warning way but the Reverend kept on smiling like a tax man paid in hay He said, “You face the outlaws you face the desert flame but when that lady looks at you you misremember your own name” Doc said, “I agree with him” then quickly looked away for nobody wants to be correct on such a dangerous day I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do Then he pulled out his guitar with a scrape and swampy sigh and the fiddle in the corner started arguing with the sky The washboard found a heartbeat the piano found a grin and every chair in Long Branch felt a foolishness begin Miss Kitty started laughing not too loud and not too long but enough to make the Marshal look like guilt had joined the song Festus clapped on one and three then somehow two and four and his mule outside the window brayed a chorus through the door I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do The Reverend preached on courage but he never raised his hand he said, “A man can cross a desert and still not understand” “A badge may stop a bullet a boot may leave a track but words you never give away come riding twice as back” Matt looked toward Miss Kitty then toward the swinging door like maybe fleeing Dodge City was an option to explore But Kitty touched the counter and said, “Marshal, stay a while” and the Reverend whispered, “Glory” with a very sinful smile I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do Matt said, “Miss Kitty, I reckon” and the whole room nearly froze Festus grabbed the hat rack Doc stepped on Chester’s toes The Reverend stopped his strumming like a storm had lost its nerve and Kitty leaned in gently with the patience men deserve But Matt just said, “Nice weather” and the room collapsed in cheers the Reverend laughed so mighty hard he shook the chandeliers He said, “Lord, this town needs saving but not from cards or gin it needs one honest sentence and a place for it to begin” I am Reverend Rattlesnake I rattle when I roll I don’t cure your body, son I aggravate your soul I came to Dodge this morning with a sermon in my shoe and if love won’t tell the truth then I’ll make the rhythm do So if you ride through Dodge C
