Loyalty

I was never a good man my entire life
Or at least as far as I remember
But there was a time where I suffered less strife
and that time started in September.

I once met a girl, just a girl in a bar.
She was very fair, and so very kind.
She had a son, a boy who would wonder
where his father he might find.

My pa was a loser, a pathetic sneak.
He murdered in cold blood, as mad as a bear.
I didn't want my son to think I was a wreak
so I decided to keep my loyalty there.

Now I knew who I was, and so did the girl.
I was an outlaw on the run from the world.
But I always came back after months afew
to visit my son. And to this I held true.

The boy learned quick, already fishing.
I knew I couldn't stay forever
But by God I was wishing.
This life was so steady
and for the first time, I prayed.
I knew I was ready to go there to stay.

Now, it was a long ride. I was camping down east.
For a night I had stopped at an inn.
Not for one second did I falter in the least.
What I saw when I arrived had shuddered my skin.

There were two short crosses, blank, made of wood.
The house was collapsing, its foundation broken.
I heard from some folk they were shot where they stood,
Just for ten dollars. I remained unspoken.

What I'd do next, I wasn't so sure.
My heart was torn to pieces.
All of this pain I couldn't endure,
my soul was hardened, my anger increases.

I knew I had to do what I must.
No matter the words of the man that I trust.
With vengeance and might, I sought out some justice.
But the pain inside me was not stilled down.
My path was unclear, only darkness I'd found.