Sonora's Death Row
Dave Alvin
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Me and the boy's we cinched up our saddles and rode to sonora last night Gun's hanging proud, daring out loud for any one looking to fight Card cheats and rustlers would run for their holes when the boys from the old broken O Rode up and reined on the street that they named Sonora's death row Mescal is free at Amanda's saloon for the boy's from the old broken O Saturday nights in the town of Sonora are the best in all Mexico They've got guitars and trumpets and sweet senoritas who won't want to let you go You'd never believe such a gay happy time on the street called Sonora's death row Inside Amanda's we was a dancin' with all of Amanda's gals I won some silver at seven card stud so I was out doin' my pals But the whiskey and mescal, peso cigars drove me outside for some air Somebody whispered "Your life or your money", I reached but my gun wasn't there I woke up face down in Amanda's back alley aware of the fool I had been Rushed to my pony, grabbed my Winchester and entered Amanda's again Where I saw my partners twirling my pistols and throwing my money around Blinded by anger, I jacked the lever and one of them fell to the ground Amanda's got silent like night in the desert, my friends stared in pure disbelief Amanda was kneeling beside the dead cowboy plainly expressing her grief And as I bowed my head a trembled shot through me my six-gun was still at my side I felt my pockets, there was my money, I fell to my knees and I cried A nightmare of mescal is all that it was for no one had robbed me at all I wish I was dreaming the sound of the gallows they're testing just outside The wall The mescal's still free at Amanda's saloon for the boy's from the old Broken O I'd give a ransom to drink there today and be free of Sonora's death row I'd give a ransom to drink there today and be free of Sonora's death row
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Written by: KEVIN BLACKIE FARRELL
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Songwriters"Sonora's Death Row" is a song written by Michael Martin Murphey and Owen Castleman. Dave Alvin, Leo Kottke, and Tom Russell are just a few of the artists who have covered the song.
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InspirationThe song is inspired by the region of Sonora, which straddles the border of Arizona and Mexico. It tells a dark narrative of a cowboy who ends up on death row in Sonora, Mexico.
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PerformancesDave Alvin, a member of the band The Blasters, included "Sonora's Death Row" in many of his live performances. His version has been lauded for its gritty storytelling and distinctive Americana sound.
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Musical StyleLeo Kottke, famous for his acoustic guitar skills, provided a unique rendition of "Sonora’s Death Row". His version is known for its impeccable fingerstyle guitar work, a characteristic style of Kottke's.
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AlbumsThe song is featured on Tom Russell's album "Modern Art". Tom Russell is a well-known folk and country singer-songwriter who often incorporates storytelling elements in his music.
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PopularityThough "Sonora's Death Row" is not one of the most popular songs globally, it has gained a cult following particularly among folk and country enthusiasts due to its compelling narrative and the array of artists who have covered it.
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InfluencesThe song represents elements of classic Western themes and motifs, contributing to the cowboy aesthetic associated with many popular country and folk songs.
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Original ReleaseThe song was initially released by the songwriters Michael Martin Murphey and Owen Castleman in their 1973 album “Cowboy Songs, Cattle Calls, and Campfire Tales”.
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Instrumental VersionsLeo Kottke's version of the song is particularly notable for being largely instrumental, letting his guitar skills shine while still evoking the story within the song.
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CritiqueDave Alvin's version of "Sonora's Death Row" has been praised by critics for its haunting visual lyrics, traditional American sound, and Alvin's impressive vocal performance.
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NarrativeThe song narrates a shadowy tale, bringing to life the unforgiving landscape of Sonora and a cowboy's tragic journey to death row, which has made it an appealing choice for artists renowned for their storytelling skills such as Dave Alvin and Tom Russell.
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Cultural ImpactDespite not being a chart-topping hit, "Sonora's Death Row" holds its place in music history as a classic country-folk song that continues to be covered by contemporary artists.
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Citation
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"Sonora's Death Row Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8852452/Dave+Alvin/Sonora%27s+Death+Row>.
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