Hardin Wouldn't Run
Wes Hardin's Last Stand: A Tale of Courage and Fate
Lyrics
I know a man whose plow handle hand is quicker than a light
The narrator describes a man with a quick and skilled hand with a plow handle.
Wes Hardin is his name they say he travels in the night
The man is identified as Wes Hardin, known for traveling at night.
For he might have to kill or walk around a fight
Hardin is prepared to kill or avoid fights as needed.
And if you ever saw Wes Hardin draw you know he can skin his gun
Wes Hardin's ability to draw his gun quickly is highlighted.
He won't say how many tried and died
Hardin remains silent about the number of people who tried and failed to challenge him.
Up against the top hand up against the wrong man cause Hardin' wouldn't run
Despite challenges, he refuses to run away, suggesting courage and resolve.
He rode in like a Texas wind took the eastbound train
Hardin arrives like a force of nature, taking the eastbound train with a companion named Jane Bowen.
Goin' goin' with Jane Bowen till the law men caught up
He is eventually caught by lawmen, bidding farewell to Jane with a promise to return.
So long Janie chin up I'll be back again
Hardin reassures Jane with optimism despite facing incarceration.
Off he went to Huntsville Prison so long Janie he cried
He goes to Huntsville Prison, leaving Janie behind. She waits for fifteen years until her death.
Fifteen years she waited till her heart broke and she died
Janie's death releases her from the hardships of life in the bad land.
And she left that bad land to wait up in the sky
Her soul is portrayed as ascending to the sky.
Free at last the payin' past for all the wrong he did
Hardin is finally free, having paid for the wrongs he committed.
First free air they let him breathe since he was a kid
He experiences freedom for the first time since childhood.
So let him come and let him go and let him deal and bid
Despite his freedom, the lyrics suggest that Hardin remains involved in questionable activities.
Near the border in El Paso Lawyer reads the sign
The narrative shifts to El Paso near the border, mentioning a lawyer and a lack of business.
You won't find him there for business every day at nine
Hardin is elusive, not available for business regularly.
For business is real bad one client's all he's had in quite a long long time
The lawyer's lack of clients indicates Hardin's reduced criminal activities.
Then sheriff Selman's boy broke in to Wes's woman's place
Sheriff Selman's son invades the woman associated with Wes Hardin.
Up she jumped and pistol whipped him kicked him in the face
The woman defends herself, causing harm to the sheriff's son.
And John Selman demands revenge for this disgrace
John Selman seeks revenge for his son's disgrace.
You could see every night by candlelight in Hardin's favorite bar
Hardin is depicted spending time in his favorite bar with a woman hanging on his arm.
She'd be hanging on his arm and very late they'd leave there
He and the woman leave late, heading for a place called the Goose Hair.
Headed for the Goose Hair glad it wasn't far
The location of their destination is highlighted.
Right through the swinging doors John Selman came with a blazin' gun
Sheriff Selman confronts Wes Hardin in the bar with a blazing gun.
Wes Hardin chug-a-luggin' red eye got him in the back of the head
Wes Hardin is shot in the back of the head while consuming alcohol.
John Wesley Hardin fell dead cos Hardin wouldn't run
John Wesley Hardin dies, emphasizing his refusal to run even in the face of danger.
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