King Bill and the Midnight Rows

[INTRO — quick banjo, xylophone taps] They called him King Bill. Not on account of money. Bill just had more subjects than most kings. [VERSE 1] King Bill Hartley was a working man With a shovel and a skill Could fetch you up a gentleman And hardly break the frill Never took the watch or wedding ring Never bothered with the clothes Bill weren't there for worldly goods— Bill wanted what was below. [VERSE 2] His wife walked out beside him With the lantern burning low She knew which dogs were friendly And which widow watched the road Bill knew clay and Bill knew limestone Knew fresh earth from old And when that shovel whispered wood— She'd say, “Easy, Bill. That's gold.” [CHORUS — FAST, JOYOUS] KING BILL! KING BILL! WALK THEM MIDNIGHT ROWS! One holds the lantern, One works below! Mind that gate! Keep your voices still! The dead sleep free— BUT THE DOCTORS PAY BILL! [VERSE 3] Up at the old medical school Young doctors waited late Professors kept the lamps turned down And money by the gate Nobody asked where Bill had been Nobody asked the name A knock, a sack, a little cash— And science took the blame. [VERSE 4] Now Bill had rules about his business Though peculiar rules they were Never rob the body's pockets Never laugh in front of her Put the earth back like you found it Leave the flowers where they lay And if the dearly departed follows— Don't lead him home that way. [BREAK — xylophone] [WIFE, spoken] “Bill.” “What?” “We got company.” [banjo stops] “Well, don't introduce us.” [CHORUS] KING BILL! KING BILL! WALK THEM MIDNIGHT ROWS! Moon overhead And mud between your toes! Rattle that cart Up the medical hill— God keeps the spirit… [beat] THE DOCTORS PAY BILL! [BRIDGE — suddenly darker] Some say Bill quit digging When his own wife passed away. Some say that's the only grave He never touched with spade. But folks around the schoolhouse Swore for years when nights were still— Two sets of boots crossed the courtyard. One belonged to Bill. [FINAL CHORUS] **KING BILL! KING BILL! BACK DOWN THE ROW! Lantern beside him Wherever he goes! You can lock the cemetery— You can pray until— The Lord may raise the dead someday. BUT HE'LL HAVE TO BEAT KING BILL. [OUTRO — lone xylophone] knock knock “Delivery.”