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about

This public domain song was taught to me by Benson Whittle on our first meeting, which was in San Antonio, New Mexico at the house he, his wife, and daughter were living in. They were away and we sat in the old part of the house, trading songs.

A few years later, Leralee Whittle and I used this version of the song in our production called, Occupied. This song featured Leralee dancing in front of a video of images alternating between the Wild West and Iraq. Saddam Hussein was visually equated with Sam Hall.

lyrics

1.
My name it is Sam Hall
It is Sam Hall
My name it is Sam Hall
It is Sam Hall
My name it is Sam Hall
And I hate you one and all
Goddam your eyes

2.
I killed a man 'tis said
So 'tis said
I killed a man 'tis said
So 'tis said
I killed a man 'tis said
I broke his bloody head
I broke his bloody head
Goddam his eyes

3.
In prison I am bound
I am bound
In prison I am bound
I am bound
In prison I am bound
And the screws are all around
They want me in the ground
Goddam their eyes

4.
The parson he did come
He did come
The parson he did come
He did come
The parson he did come
And he looked so goddam glum
He can kiss my ruddy bum
Goddam his eyes

5.
The sheriff he came too
He came too
The sheriff he came too
He came too
The sheriff he came too
With his little boys in blue
My god what a bloody crew
Goddam their eyes

6.
I saw Molly in the crowd
In the crowd
I saw Molly in the crowd
In the crowd
I saw Molly in the crowd
And I hollered right out loud
Hey Molly, ain't ya proud
Goddam your eyes

credits

from Great American Opera (2009, album), released November 1, 2009
Paul Sprawl - voice and guitar
Heiko Schramm - bass
Matthias Macht - drums

license

all rights reserved

tags

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