Ned Russell was a badass dude. You didn't cross him. But if you were his friend and you dealt him straight, he'd stand next to you no matter the situation.
Originally from South St Louis, Ned moved west to Colorado where he sought his fortune among the San Juan's...Durango, Silverton, Ouray, country.
This is his song.
Written, arranged, and recorded by John Jump
Lyrics
Money Seeks its Own (Ned Russell's Blues)
I'm worn out and dirty from this hot and dusty road
I got two day's ride to reach my Durango gold.
My wife and my best friend, Willy, been holdin' down the mine.
They work split shift with a 44 just to keep them boys in line.
I been up in Utah to help an old friend of mine,
They got him locked in a federal jail they wants to see him hang.
Now I'll do anything I can for those who stand by me,
But double cross my just one time, boy, I'll cut you down like a tree.
Chorus:
Play by the rules or don't play in the game.
This wheel spins around, it'll turn your way again.
Now gold and silver work like a wedge
They drive some folks apart
And some folks say in a shameful way
Gold's worth more than the heart.
It's greed and suspicion, I've seen it all before,
And Lord knows each day I pray it don't come to my door.
Just one more long day's ride I'll be back with my wife.
With her and Willy by my side I got me an honest life.
Chorus:
Play by the rules or don't play in the game.
This wheel spins around, It'll come your way again.
An empty mine and what's mine is gone I can't believe my eyes.
My wife, the gold, and Willy Jones, they've sold me out for lies.
Some folks say I'm a fool to trust like I did.
But I really trusted both of them, before they went and hid.
I should go and hunt 'em, track them to their grave,
But if I sell my soul for the gold, their's nothin' left to save.
I'd say I love 'em both just to get them to come back home,
But greed and deceit would dog their trail, 'cause bad money seeks its own.
It'll seek you out...