Old Imperial

from HoJames Band by HoJames Band

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lyrics

Just two days down from Hunstville, already feels like ten,
Never thought I’d be wishin for a cell back in the pen
But this is where they send you when they say you’ve done a crime
This is where they send you, when you haven’t got a dime

Workin,’ says the chaplain, makes me think about my sin
About a life lived without virtue, stained with blood and soaked with gin
But I got no time for preachin, no time for the rich man’s lies,
‘cause down here in the canebrake I’m just trying to stay alive

CHORUS
Just two days down from Huntsville, and Lord I want to run
But if the cottonmouths don’t get you, it’s that damned old Texas sun
And that river looks like freedom, but that river smells like death
Don’t want to taste that muddy water when I take my dyin breath

The captain so they tell me, was once a decent man
Had a wife and two small children and no blood upon his hands
Ridin’ shotgun on the work line was more than he could take
Ten years on the Brazos turned him meaner than a snake

A black hat and a white horse, he’s got a certain style
But he’ll kill you as soon as cuss you, and cuss you as soon as smile
Our hands are numb and bleeding, but we don’t dare set em down
“Keep that cane a comin’, boys, or I’ll put you in the ground”

CHORUS

They turn us out at sunup, with bullwhips and their guns,
Ain’t no need to chain us, ‘cause there ain’t no place to run
Was a man when I first came here, might be one once again but
For now I’m just an animal, with the devil as my friend

I ain’t saying I’m a good man, ain’t sayin I’ve done no wrong
But what they’re callin’ justice is a place no man belongs
How much blood, how many tears to pay that debt in full
How much of my soul do I have to give to that Old Imperial

CHORUS

FINAL CHORUS
Just two days down from Huntsville, and Lord I want to run
But if the cottonmouths don’t get you, it’s that damned old Texas sun
And if I make it back to Houston, I’ll have a tale to tell
‘bout doin’ time on the Brazos, about that livin’ hell

credits

from HoJames Band, released June 29, 2023
Lyrics and music by Jeff Dillman

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about

HoJames Band Tyler, Texas

HoJames Band is an original Southern Americana band from Tyler, TX. We blend Blues, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock, and Country with a Jam Band ethic to create a sound we are proud to call our own.

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