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Dan's Song

from Grey County by Tim Harrison

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Another true story from my home town...a tragedy of the times.

lyrics

DAN’S SONG
©Tim Harrison and Second Avenue Songs 2004


In the town named for Captain William F. Owen
It was a tough life from the start
Built with the blood of working men
And women who were filled with heart

They made it safe and they made it strong
As they toiled their lives away
There were churches built all around the square
As they learned in the good old way, boys
They learned in the good old way

Now Billy McCoy was a workin’ man
And strong as any that come
And he raised his sons to do the right thing
And he kept them under his thumb

But the youngest son Dan was not like the rest
He preferred his books to the work
But Billy made sure Dan toed the line
And used the fist if Dan would shirk, boys
Used the fist if Dan would shirk

Dan would run to the woods and sit
With his books and his art as his flame
He’d revel in the joy of his desires
And the love that could bear no name

But when he’d get back home the stares were fierce
And the air was thick with threat
And one dark night all he loved was burned
Billy’d teach that young Dan yet, boys
Billy’d teach that young Dan yet

Then one day as he limbed a tree
Billy got a call from his boss
He said “Bill, you’d better come along with me
I fear you’ve suffered a loss

They went to the woods where Dan used to go
And there were policemen all around
Dan was hangin’ from an old maple tree
In drag was how we was found, boys
In drag was how he was found

But they were safe and they were strong
As they toiled their lives away
And churches were built all around the square
And they learned in the good old way

And Dan he was never spoken about
His story never told
And the folks go about their business still
With the sweet hope of glory in their soul, boys
The sweet hope of glory in their soul

credits

from Grey County, released January 1, 2006

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Tim Harrison Owen Sound, Ontario

Biography
Tim Harrison has worked as an artist, songwriter, and as a creator of arts events.. Along with founding the Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival,Tim has been Artistic Director of the Mariposa, Northwind, and Eaglewood Folk Festivals, and the Big Fish Music Fest.
Tim has released eight highly acclaimed recordings of original material and has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. ... more

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