When the Sky Turns Black(Let the Reins Fall Down)

[good4somethingbum]

When the Sky Turns Black(Let the Reins Fall Down)I saw low purple clouds as they stampeded the plainsAnd off to the south old Sam ridin’ in from the rangeheard horseshoe windchimes singin’ in the hot summer windPoor Sam coughin’ n weezin’, as sundown was squeezin’ through his cowboy squintI knew his mind was spooked with somethin’ besides the stormHe let his spotted mare pace as he gripped the saddle hornHe said, “I coulda stood the dust n horsebites from stubborn nagsIf canteens held more brandy, if it weren’t so sandy in my cheap sleepin’ bagCos when the sky turns black let the reins fall downLet fate ride you back to dark sacred groundsTrade your trail dust hat for a stardust crownWhen the sky turns black let the reins fall downHe said, “I loved me a whore who worked a cowboy barI’d have married her but she had too many brands on her heartAnd men like me can’t give things like fine dresses or landThough one who loves for a living, knows enough about giving not to give a damn”He growled low n slow as the sky turned a charcoal grey“the way we dust off our chaps time just brushes us awayAnd she was found with bourbon and pills by her despr’ate bedShe was loved but still lonely, and since then I’ve only known the kiss of regretSo when the sky turns black let the reins fall downLet fate ride you back to dark sacred groundsTrade your trail dust hat for a stardust crownWhen the sky turns black let the reins fall down”Sam wiped his cheeks then rode off in the dark sunsetWhen Cookie rang the breakfast bell he hadn’t come back yetFound him by a dead tree with a canteen still in his handI just stood there sobbin’, as a sweet morning robin sang him to the promised landHis eyes watched an old grave with no name of its ownA dead oak ain’t a cross and a mound of rocks ain’t a stoneHe had a long ride to meet her by that heavenly ranchOut here the ground’ll get cold, I hope his cheap pine bedroll keeps out the sandCos when the sky turns black let the reins fall downLet fate ride you back to dark sacred groundsTrade your trail dust hat for a stardust crownWhen the sky turns black let the reins fall down©2007 Robert George