[INTRO — DARK WESTERN | 4/4 ~68 BPM | PIANO exactly ON beat DREADNOUGHT, bass, snare BEHIND beat] [MINOR HARMONICA 1–♭3→♭5] [TELECASTER — dry ♭5→5] [Spoken] Train rolled into Crown Junction Gus Lester stepped down dressed in charcoal, Asked the stationmaster one question: “Where's my grandson?” [PIANO] Geoffrey kept him waiting. Once. Gus entered without knocking, Looked at Geoffrey in the Chair. Said, “Get up.” Geoffrey laughed. Nobody else did. [HARMONICA, bent ♭5] Geoffrey stayed seated. Gus pulled up a wooden chair. “Suit yourself.” [HEAVY, 4/4] Gus called Sarah in next morning. Didn't threaten. Didn't smile. Said, “You'll marry Geoffrey Thursday.” Sarah stared at him awhile and said “My family's dead.” "Your grandson murdered them.” [PAUSE] Then: “Why me?” Gus folded both his hands. “A Winter child makes Geoffrey More than Robert Barrow's son.” Sarah understood him then. Not grandfather. Not grieving kin. Just a man who saw seven counties And calculated how to win. [PIANO — 1→♭3] [brushed snare | harmonica] Thursday came with white carnations, Silver buckles, polished boots. Geoffrey ate before the vows And drank enough for two. Sarah stood there pale and silent. Geoffrey grinned for every flash. Gus watched sheriffs shake each other's hands And counted who shook back. Preacher said, “Till death should part you.” Geoffrey whispered, “Could be years.” Sarah looked straight through him. [TELECASTER — ♭5] [Instrumental] [PIANO + DREADNOUGHT] [HARMONICA] [TELECASTER — repeated ♭5→5] Geoffrey filled his plate a third time. Beef and gravy, bread and wine. Telling some old deputy How hanging men improved the mind. Then he stopped. Coughed once. Coughed twice. Reached toward his throat. Chair went backward. Glass went down. Sarah stood. His mother screamed. Geoffrey clawed the tablecloth. Silver scattered on the floor. Face went red— Then blue— Then nothing. [STOP] Someone whispered, “Poison.” Cook shouted, “Gristle.” [PAUSE] Gus said, “Find out.” Chorus [4/4 ] Some men die by pistol. Some men die by rope. Some men build themselves a kingdom And choke before they own it. No last curse. No grand farewell. No final wicked plan. The boy who made seven counties tremble— Died with supper in his hand. [PIANO dominant] Geoffrey's body lay upstairs. Sarah hadn't changed her dress. Gus sent someone for young Thomas. Said, “He's the Marshal next.” Thomas Barrow, nine years old, Still crying for his brother, Sat where Geoffrey sat that morning With his grandfather beside him. Someone pinned the silver on him. Far too big across his chest. Gus leaned down and whispered something. Thomas nodded. Before they carried Geoffrey out, Gus had settled one thing more. Sent for Silas at the saloon. He came drinking through the door. Gus said, “Thomas holds his brother's chair. You'll marry Sarah instead.” Silas looked toward Geoffrey's room. “Father... Geoffrey isn't dead an hour.” Gus looked at him. [PAUSE] “And?” [PIANO] Verse 7 [WARMER DREADNOUGHT | piano recedes] Silas Lester. . . Smallpox took his handsome face And nearly took his life. Left deep scars across his cheeks And strangers staring twice. Silas learned to answer staring With a joke before a fist. Learned whiskey never judged his face. Neither did the women that he kissed. But when he looked at Sarah, There was no hunger in his eyes. Just one prisoner recognizing Another in disguise. [TELECASTER 4→5→6] Verse 8 No carnations Friday morning. No photographers outside. Just Gus, a judge, two witnesses, Judge said what the law required. Silas answered when he must. When it ended Gus said, “Good.” Silas muttered, “Go to hell.” [PIANO — LOW ♭3] Gus heard him. Kept on walking. That was somehow worse. [Bridge] [FREE TIME DREADNOUGHT] Sarah sat beside the window. Silas poured himself a drink. Asked, “You frightened?” “Yes.” “Of me?” [LONG PAUSE] Sarah couldn't answer. Silas nodded. “Fair enough.” He took a blanket from the bed. Dropped into the wooden chair. Sarah asked, “Where will you sleep?” Silas raised his glass. “Apparently here.” “Why?” Silas looked toward the door. Then back at her. “You've had enough men deciding things for you.” [TELECASTER — gentle 5→6] Final Verse [RETURN rigid 4/4] Morning found young Thomas Barrow In a chair too big and wide, Gus conducting county business From the wooden chair beside. Thomas signed where Gus instructed. Asked if he could go outside. Gus said, “When we're finished.” Thomas nodded. And complied. [PIANO] Sheriffs spoke toward Thomas. Waited for replies. But every time a question mattered— [PAUSE] They watched his grandfather's eyes. Outro — The Threat [PIANO + DREADNOUGHT] Gus found Silas after breakfast. “Was it done?” Silas took a drink. “No.” [PIANO] “Tonight.” “No.” [LONG PAUSE] Gus stepped closer. Never raised his voice. “That Winter girl will give this family A child.” Silas stared at him. “Whether you're the father—” [PIANO — ♭5] “—is entirely up to you.” [TELECASTER — vicious ♭5→5]
