Tom Russell is doing a Facebook series on Austin’s music scene of the 1970s. He kicked up this 1974 gem by Dee Moeller, recorded by Waylon Jennings on his album “This Time.” Tom noted that the last verse kills him — so packed with loss. Me, too, hombre. Me, too.
The land where I travel once fashioned with beauty
Now stands with scars on her face
The wide open spaces are closing in quickly
From the weight of the whole human race.And it’s not that I blame them for claiming her bounty
I just wish they’re takin’ it slow
‘Cause where has a slow movin’
Once quick draw outlaw got to go?
Dee Moeller — ace songwriter. Thanks to Tom Russell for the reminder.
Slow Movin’ Outlaw
All the old stations are being torn down
And the high flying trains no longer roar
The floors are all sagging with boards a suffering
From not being used anymore.Things’re all changing the world’s rearranging
A time that will soon be no more
Where has a slow movin’
Once quickdraw outlaw got to go?The whiskey that once settled the dust
And tasted so fine now taste so faint
And the mem’ries that once floated out come back stronger
More clearly with each drink you take.The women that warmed you once thought
So pretty now look haggard and old
Where has a slow movin’
Once quickdraw outlaw got to go?The land where I travel once fashioned with beauty
Now stands with scars on her face
The wide open spaces are closing in quickly
From the weight of the whole human race.And it’s not that I blame them for claiming her bounty
I just wish they’re takin’ it slow
‘Cause where has a slow movin’
Once quick draw outlaw got to go?Where has a slow movin’
Once quick draw outlaw got to go?…
Tom says
Terrific song. I’ll learn it.
JimC says
Right on!
Saddle Tramp says
Songs without borders…
I’m all in!
What have they done to the earth?
What have they done to our fair sister?
Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her
Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn
Tied her with fences and dragged her down…
WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER (1967)
THE DOORS
MR. MOJO RISIN’
JimC says
That’s a blast from my past…
Breaker Morant says
Off-Topic, but I did a site search for “Lee Christmas” here and he did not come up. The subject of “Incredible Yanqui-The Career of Lee Christmas.”
He was a merc with a long history in the Banana Republics and elsewhere, I found out about him in some stuff on the Banana Frontier in Central America.
http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Yanqui-Career-Lee-Christmas/dp/1455615765/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458952767&sr=1-1&keywords=Incredible+Yanqui
Keith West says
I am not on Facebook because I believe lost friends from high school are lost for a reason and should remain that way. But I may need to reconsider that so I can follow Tom’s posts.
Craig Rullman says
I felt the same way. I have just recently, within the last week, and after much consideration and deliberation and research, jumped into the Facebook waters. It’s a tool, like any other, I’m learning. I still feel dirty when logging on, but I imagine that will pass. I’m doing it for selfish reasons, and I am still a little afraid of its power, but I can always pull the plug if it isn’t working out. Just a thought.
JimC says
Just avoid politics and cat videos and all will be well.