The White Oak Trail...words and music by John Jump
All instruments and vocal by John Jump
I wrote this song while in the in the spirit of the old cowboy and western songs of Marty Robbins and the Sons of the Pioneers. I was hiking along the White Oak Trail near St Genevieve, Mo located in Hawn State Park in a light, misty rain one Autumn day when this song came to me out of the blue. I sang it into my phone's recorder and later went home and recorded it in my basement as it is presented here.
Lyrics
The White Oak Trail
On the White Oak Trail from Ste Genevieve jail
I'm travelin' this wet and windy night.
Gonna leave this rain, catch a southbound train,
Bring back my baby by and by.
Bring my baby by and by.
I'll take the sleeper car, my journey is far.
Many miles lay between my love and I.
She left her man, had a simple plan,
She could not bear to see her man in jail.
She could not bear to see her man in jail.
Chorus:
No jail can hold a love so bold.
No distance can hold us apart.
When the day breaks again, my long night will end
And I'll be back in my baby's arms.
I'll be back in my baby's arms.
I hear the frightful sounds of the baying hounds.
The rain has not washed my trail away
Now the dogs draw near, my heart is filled with fear.
I must not let them stop me now.
I must not let them stop me now.
Shots ring out. I hear men shout.
Bullets sing their deadly song.
I fire in return, oh, I feel a deepening burn.
Darkness begins to fill my eyes.
Darkness begins to fill my eyes.
Chorus:
No jail can hold a love so bold.
No distance can hold us apart.
When day breaks again, my long night will end.
And I'll be back in my baby's arms.
I'll be back in my baby's arms.
Now off through the night, such a welcome sight.
A smile that warm to my soul.
Her bright shining face.
Love's last long embrace.
Back in my baby's arms.
Back in my baby's arms tonight.
On the White Oak Trail...