Grinding down a winding road, ghost smoke in a heavy fog,
Engine growls, sits a tortured soul, he cranks that iron hog.
Both wheels claw at the asphalt's grip, rushing wind blows back his hair,
Lives his time like Satan’s son, so godless he don’t care.
Crash like thunder, twist of fate, his life skids to an end,
Death's sudden grip, it snatches him, like that twisted highway bend.
Unaware, he keeps on ridin', strange shadows all around,
With the devil's horde, they ride as one, in the ethereal underground.
Chorus
Dark riders, dark riders. Roaring across the sky.
Oh, dark riders. Can’t you hear those fateful cries?
Wake up dark rider. The truth will set you free.
Dark riders, dark riders. Forever saddled to the devil’s steed.
For doing the dirty deeds. Yeah.
He looks around, his surroundings strange, phantoms jerkin’ in a wicked dance,
His soul should know the truth by now, but denials fixed its stance.
Burning eyes of crimson fire, screams echo through the night,
New patched member of their cursed crew, doesn't know he needs to fight.
(Chorus)
They rip through the darkness leathery shroud, a legion smokin’ in a sulfur rain,
Each damned soul aboard this midnight ride, forever reelin’ in wicked pain.
He swerves his beast to break away from them, his picture now quite clear,
They lasso at him with the ropes of death, laughin’ at his wide-eyed fear.
(Chorus)
On a forsaken road bridging life and death, he now forever roams,
An outlaw branded by the devil's iron, and never coming home.
You can look to the sky when the lightning strikes, thunder’s his bell toll.
When you live your days better watch you six, or riders’ll snatch your soul.
I was preaching in a church, didn’t get that frantic call.
Behind a pulpit, my convictions, so righteous standing tall.
Done with the junk, time served for the past.
Parole board and even me, crossing fingers it could last.
I swear to you.
That life of runnin’ and gunnin’ was in my rearview mirror,
Road to redemption looking nearer.
But my ex-old lady’d phoned me up needing urgent help,
God forgive me I wasn’t there, see man, I was busy saving myself.
She’s now dead, forever gone.
Bad men I once rode with, they did her ohhh so wrong. Yeah.
Temptation’s kicking at my knees.
Sure as Hell, I’ll never turn the other cheek.
Oh God above, help me please.
Aw fxxx it.
(Chorus)
Cuz I’m an outlaw.
Come Hell or high water,
Never want to see that self again.
In a bone yard dead and buried,
But lifted by the grace of heaven’s hand.
Left the life of a sinner…Hell, I was the devil, man.
I sought forgiveness.
Now I am judgement.
Watch out.
I’m a goddamned preacher man.
Did a dose of Thirteen, I one-kicked my iron horse.
Where they’d be hiding, well shit. That I knew of course.
Through leather cuts, palms and pits profuse with sweat,
Old club colors and dew rag wet.
Pony tail flying in the wind,
This one percenter high-throttling back to a life of sin.
Yeah.
My resolve was firm,
Hands on ape hangers couldn’t be higher.
I had come so far for His truth,
But drivin’ back to Hell beyond my tires.
I didn’t have to ride my Fat Boy too far,
Found them drunk laughing in a shit town bar.
Did what I was aiming to do,
Pulled both pistols, dropped one then two.
Why’d I do it?
(Chorus)
I stepped up where wounded they both lay,
Didn’t know exactly what to say.
They begged and began to pray.
Sorry boys. I’m not that man today.
You see what you took from me,
Was my ex-old lady and Calvary tree.
I’d dropped my hog and guns for the good book,
Hung my helmet on a hook.
And I’m afraid you have to pay.
Aces and eights now where you lay.
A back door gunner doing his sweep.
You knew I’d play for keeps.
(Chorus)
I see I’d sealed my fate,
Bought fire and brimstone sold the pearly gates.
Hell and high water rose to me,
Back to the OMG, no longer free.
Cuz I’m an outlaw and a devil,
A dirty rotten fella.
Just killed and buried me a preacher man.
Goddamn.
My folks they hate my girlfriend
Sayin' she’ll never be family
Serves her free time in jail
Gets all of her mail
Sent to the penitentiary
Her neck and arms are full
Of battle scars and tattoos
Knuckles inked with another man’s name
She never says what she's been through
But I love her just the same
Chorus:
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me laugh like I never laughed so hard
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me gushy when she's by my side
We're at a bar one night toasting her release
Tempting fate but not the police
A dark stranger struts in
Bellies up for a drink
Says some shit and sends mean eye-stink
I try to pay him no mind
But soon he's crossed a line
I'm getting ready to throw down hands
I'm scared as hell, my fear he can smell
But for my snaggletooth love, I'll take a stand
(Chorus)
He laughed aloud
Threw his drink way back
Held his smile and then gave me a wink
Said his name was right there inked on her shaking hand
I was talking to her ex named “Dink”
I turned my head in a whirl
Saw a scared look on my girl
Choking back a lifetime of tears
She said I had no chance against him
He'll tear me limb from limb
Then she whispered these words to me
(Modified Chorus)
You see me
Defend me
Make me laugh like I never laughed so hard
I got a long snaggletooth
My hairs not brushed
My ass, big as a double wide
I got a knockout punch
Pee on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But step away my love
Or I'll give you a shove
I do best on the inside
She reached behind her back
Squeezed up the trigger slack
I watched him fall back in a poof of pink
I saw the barrel smoke
He dropped his Crown and coke
And that was the end of Dink
So now I see her
She sees me
We laugh like we never laughed so hard
She loves me
I love her
And forty to life don't seem that far
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Unlawful carry’s a .45
But
She still sees me
Grinding down a winding road, ghost smoke in a heavy fog,
Engine growls, sits a tortured soul, he cranks that iron hog.
Both wheels claw at the asphalt's grip, rushing wind blows back his hair,
Lives his time like Satan’s son, so godless he don’t care.
Crash like thunder, twist of fate, his life skids to an end,
Death's sudden grip, it snatches him, like that twisted highway bend.
Unaware, he keeps on ridin', strange shadows all around,
With the devil's horde, they ride as one, in the ethereal underground.
Chorus
Dark riders, dark riders. Roaring across the sky.
Oh, dark riders. Can’t you hear those fateful cries?
Wake up dark rider. The truth will set you free.
Dark riders, dark riders. Forever saddled to the devil’s steed.
For doing the dirty deeds. Yeah.
He looks around, his surroundings strange, phantoms jerkin’ in a wicked dance,
His soul should know the truth by now, but denials fixed its stance.
Burning eyes of crimson fire, screams echo through the night,
New patched member of their cursed crew, doesn't know he needs to fight.
(Chorus)
They rip through the darkness leathery shroud, a legion smokin’ in a sulfur rain,
Each damned soul aboard this midnight ride, forever reelin’ in wicked pain.
He swerves his beast to break away from them, his picture now quite clear,
They lasso at him with the ropes of death, laughin’ at his wide-eyed fear.
(Chorus)
On a forsaken road bridging life and death, he now forever roams,
An outlaw branded by the devil's iron, and never coming home.
You can look to the sky when the lightning strikes, thunder’s his bell toll.
When you live your days better watch you six, or riders’ll snatch your soul.
I was preaching in a church, didn’t get that frantic call.
Behind a pulpit, my convictions, so righteous standing tall.
Done with the junk, time served for the past.
Parole board and even me, crossing fingers it could last.
I swear to you.
That life of runnin’ and gunnin’ was in my rearview mirror,
Road to redemption looking nearer.
But my ex-old lady’d phoned me up needing urgent help,
God forgive me I wasn’t there, see man, I was busy saving myself.
She’s now dead, forever gone.
Bad men I once rode with, they did her ohhh so wrong. Yeah.
Temptation’s kicking at my knees.
Sure as Hell, I’ll never turn the other cheek.
Oh God above, help me please.
Aw fxxx it.
(Chorus)
Cuz I’m an outlaw.
Come Hell or high water,
Never want to see that self again.
In a bone yard dead and buried,
But lifted by the grace of heaven’s hand.
Left the life of a sinner…Hell, I was the devil, man.
I sought forgiveness.
Now I am judgement.
Watch out.
I’m a goddamned preacher man.
Did a dose of Thirteen, I one-kicked my iron horse.
Where they’d be hiding, well shit. That I knew of course.
Through leather cuts, palms and pits profuse with sweat,
Old club colors and dew rag wet.
Pony tail flying in the wind,
This one percenter high-throttling back to a life of sin.
Yeah.
My resolve was firm,
Hands on ape hangers couldn’t be higher.
I had come so far for His truth,
But drivin’ back to Hell beyond my tires.
I didn’t have to ride my Fat Boy too far,
Found them drunk laughing in a shit town bar.
Did what I was aiming to do,
Pulled both pistols, dropped one then two.
Why’d I do it?
(Chorus)
I stepped up where wounded they both lay,
Didn’t know exactly what to say.
They begged and began to pray.
Sorry boys. I’m not that man today.
You see what you took from me,
Was my ex-old lady and Calvary tree.
I’d dropped my hog and guns for the good book,
Hung my helmet on a hook.
And I’m afraid you have to pay.
Aces and eights now where you lay.
A back door gunner doing his sweep.
You knew I’d play for keeps.
(Chorus)
I see I’d sealed my fate,
Bought fire and brimstone sold the pearly gates.
Hell and high water rose to me,
Back to the OMG, no longer free.
Cuz I’m an outlaw and a devil,
A dirty rotten fella.
Just killed and buried me a preacher man.
Goddamn.
My folks they hate my girlfriend
Sayin' she’ll never be family
Serves her free time in jail
Gets all of her mail
Sent to the penitentiary
Her neck and arms are full
Of battle scars and tattoos
Knuckles inked with another man’s name
She never says what she's been through
But I love her just the same
Chorus:
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me laugh like I never laughed so hard
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me gushy when she's by my side
We're at a bar one night toasting her release
Tempting fate but not the police
A dark stranger struts in
Bellies up for a drink
Says some shit and sends mean eye-stink
I try to pay him no mind
But soon he's crossed a line
I'm getting ready to throw down hands
I'm scared as hell, my fear he can smell
But for my snaggletooth love, I'll take a stand
(Chorus)
He laughed aloud
Threw his drink way back
Held his smile and then gave me a wink
Said his name was right there inked on her shaking hand
I was talking to her ex named “Dink”
I turned my head in a whirl
Saw a scared look on my girl
Choking back a lifetime of tears
She said I had no chance against him
He'll tear me limb from limb
Then she whispered these words to me
(Modified Chorus)
You see me
Defend me
Make me laugh like I never laughed so hard
I got a long snaggletooth
My hairs not brushed
My ass, big as a double wide
I got a knockout punch
Pee on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But step away my love
Or I'll give you a shove
I do best on the inside
She reached behind her back
Squeezed up the trigger slack
I watched him fall back in a poof of pink
I saw the barrel smoke
He dropped his Crown and coke
And that was the end of Dink
So now I see her
She sees me
We laugh like we never laughed so hard
She loves me
I love her
And forty to life don't seem that far
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Unlawful carry’s a .45
But
She still sees me
I ain't never been fishing
Never even shot a gun
Don't have a Yeti
But just like you
My neck get's red from the sun
Don't have a green tractor
Don't even own a truck
So you can say I'm not country
But I don't give a buck
Chorus
Cuz I wear cowboy boots
Love shady trees
Live my life like you, fast and free
I have the flag in my heart
Wear it on my sleeve
I just live in the concrete country
Yeah, I live in the concrete country
Your silver grain silo
Is my city office space
Your 4-wheel ATV's are
My subway rat race
Kegs in a timber are
My martini bar drinks
And your milk cow stalls
Are my skateboard rinks
(Chorus)
Don’t chew tobacco or know how it's spat
I had a dog once, just bought a hairless cat
I may not walk beans or bow hunt game
But if you're heart is country, ain't we kinfolk just the same
And if you say I'm not country unless I can call a duck
Two-step your ass on home, cuz' I don't give a buck
(Chorus)
In my dark mind, evil men and monsters creep,
A music outlaw rides, nothing hiding no secrets to keep.
A writer with a demon's pen. Thoughts searing my head.
Spewing the spat of flak and hot damn lead.
Stacking bodies from page one with my words.
A crow like HARDY. No respect for lyrical mockingbirds.
Got no taste for bubble gum country,
Spit it out, stick it under my chair.
Dark country is a place for hard men, poetic combatants
A song soldier cursed with a thousand-yard stare.
Bro club on Broadway, song girlfriend on their arm. You're no threat.
She hears southern rap, licks her lips, feels hot. I make her sweat.
Welcome to the black
Burns your throat and your mind like a shot of
Jose, Jim, Johnny, or Jack.
This lone wolf coming through the fast track,
Stepping away from the pack.
Dead of the night still writing, a defiant stand
Doling justice or vengeance, fate in my hand.
Summer and sunshine all get shred,
Create a trail of shady, lingering sense of dread.
Welcome to the black.
This is a place where outlaws roam.
In a house of sorrows, I built my home.
Crack of the morning light, still no writer's block.
Twists and turns, try to leave you shocked.
Can't take the credit.
You've heard it or read it.
Johnny Cash and A Boy Named Sue.
A lot of people wanted something new—like you.
Garth Brooks shook the clouds till the Thunder Rolled.
Thomas Rhett's Death Row, "trembling hands," genius, solid gold.
Willie's Red Headed Stranger,
All these artists not talking teeny beach parties.
We're talking real danger.
Welcome to the black
Like a last meal, radio may hail my executioner’s call.
Face a death sentence for giving it all.
Of pain endured, bad guys, killers, revenge gone wrong.
Whispering stories of deeds in a backwood folk song.
A devil in the night ripping words and conventions apart from the songbird packs.
In the dark country where life meets despair,
This lone wolf leaves a legacy of twisted tales, fear, and nightmares.
Hey top ten country music, I ain’t just talking smack.
Welcome to the Black.
WHEN ME WAS YOU
By J.T. Patten
When the road you're travelin' feels all damn wrong
But you've gone way too far to turn yourself around
And you take what's left...yet it still ain’t right for you
Now you're lost. You try to think. With your heart. What to do
Question your emotional sense of direction
It's the same highway stretch
You've been on once again
Go too slow, too fast. Toward an unknown destination
And you're afraid to take a chance. Or get lost. From yourself
To be alone with just you and your reflection
Let’s take a long hard look
In the mirror at who you are
At the me that you've become
What the world sees in you
Do you even know yourself
And trust you like I do
Chorus:
I've been here and I've been there
Not as your heart but as your head
The way things were when I once lead
Before you ignored me
Take your hands off the wheel
I know exactly how you feel
Sit near me
Let's go I'll set you free
You and me, to become
The me you want to be
The me you want to be
Who you want to be
Back to you and me
Back when me was you
So, this time it’s for real
Against all that you feel
It's not what I think
What I know, just trust me
I know how
Don't second guess
Let's do what's best
Do you still trust me
Oh can I break free?
Be who I want to be?
What's my destiny?
In a world that has never seen me for being anything...but me
Am I that strong?
Could I be wrong?
Part from your propped up pride
Fly from the falling flock
Pull back from the pack
Get your old life back
Trust in yourself
Make your own luck
Be a lone wolf
Your goddamn own wolf
Even if you cry with a lonely moon
Because
I've been here and I've been there
Not as your heart but as your head
The way things were when I once lead
Before you ignored me
Take your hands off the wheel
I know exactly how you feel
Sit near me
Let's go I'll set you free
You and me, to become
The me you want to be
The me you want to be
Who you want to be
Back to you and me
Back when me was you
Just one of us, not two
When me was you
Like when me was you
When me was you
When me was youu
When me was youuu
Back when me was you
Back when you were you
(Just a) Man in the Corner
By J.T. Patten, Writer; Lone Woolf Lyrics, Publisher
ASCAP 921495295
(Verse)
Hidden in the back corner,
Of every two bit no name bar,
Sits a man alone with a whiskey,
License plate has a silver star.
He don’t see himself like a hero,
Most days feels like a zero.
He’s a man who is kind,
But no one pays him no mind.
Most of his good times, long ended.
(Chorus)
He’s just the man in the corner,
No one payin’ him no mind.
Don’t like noise, don’t like crowds,
Doesn’t want just a pat on the back.
Been sittin’ here for years,
Mumbling words under tears,
Toasting lost friends to his glass of Jack.
(Verse)
He fought for this country,
Asked for nothing in return.
Came back from the war a changed man,
Something not a one could quite understand.
They waved a fist not a flag,
As he hefted, a mildewed duffel bag.
His wife and family tried to help him,
He just sat out back silent and smokin.’
One by one, he watched them leave, saw them go,
Didn’t seem to care, couldn’t get his emotions to show.
(Chorus)
He’s just the man in the corner,
No one payin’ him no mind.
Don’t like noise, don’t like crowds,
Doesn’t want just a pat on the back.
Been sittin here for years,
Mumbling words under tears,
Toasting lost friends to his glass of Jack.
(Lyric)
And then one day, back at a bar,
Which one, it was hard to say.
He saw a man with a Veteran cap, hat said Da Nang.
Guy had a hobble, thousand-yard stare, and a walking cane.
Hey pal he said, sorry to bother,
But I was thinking before I had another.
Care to sit, maybe talk some shit,
How we were both some young jungle fodder.
(Chorus)
I’m just a man in the corner,
No one payin me no mind.
Don’t like noise, don’t like crowds,
Doesn’t want just a pat on the back.
Been sittin here for years,
Mumbling words under tears,
Toasting lost friends to my glass of Jack.
(Lyric)
He caught a gleam in that old man’s eye,
I think I know you, my god, I thought you’d died.
The man in the corner, stood up tall.
He smiled.
We sat together. Basic Training. Ft. Benning Chow Hall.
It’s me, John. Your name was Mack.
I heard the same, you never made it back.
Come sit, will you join me?
I got first round,
Do you like Jack?
He said. I think I will, you see…
(Outro)
I don’t like noise, don’t like crowds,
Doesn’t want just a pat on the back.
Been sittin in bars like this for years,
Mumbling empty words, toasting friends to a glass of Jack.
And they raise em high.
Now, there’s two men in the corner,
No one payin’ them much mind,
But they’re laughing and crying,
Two old friends,
Just letting go of what’s been inside.
Grinding down a winding road, ghost smoke in a heavy fog,
Engine growls, sits a tortured soul, he cranks that iron hog.
Both wheels claw at the asphalt's grip, rushing wind blows back his hair,
Lives his time like Satan’s son, so godless he don’t care.
Crash like thunder, twist of fate, his life skids to an end,
Death's sudden grip, it snatches him, like that twisted highway bend.
Unaware, he keeps on ridin', strange shadows all around,
With the devil's horde, they ride as one, in the ethereal underground.
Chorus
Dark riders, dark riders. Roaring across the sky.
Oh, dark riders. Can’t you hear those fateful cries?
Wake up dark rider. The truth will set you free.
Dark riders, dark riders. Forever saddled to the devil’s steed.
For doing the dirty deeds. Yeah.
He looks around, his surroundings strange, phantoms jerkin’ in a wicked dance,
His soul should know the truth by now, but denials fixed its stance.
Burning eyes of crimson fire, screams echo through the night,
New patched member of their cursed crew, doesn't know he needs to fight.
(Chorus)
They rip through the darkness leathery shroud, a legion smokin’ in a sulfur rain,
Each damned soul aboard this midnight ride, forever reelin’ in wicked pain.
He swerves his beast to break away from them, his picture now quite clear,
They lasso at him with the ropes of death, laughin’ at his wide-eyed fear.
(Chorus)
On a forsaken road bridging life and death, he now forever roams,
An outlaw branded by the devil's iron, and never coming home.
You can look to the sky when the lightning strikes, thunder’s his bell toll.
When you live your days better watch you six, or riders’ll snatch your soul.
I was preaching in a church, didn’t get that frantic call.
Behind a pulpit, my convictions, so righteous standing tall.
Done with the junk, time served for the past.
Parole board and even me, crossing fingers it could last.
I swear to you.
That life of runnin’ and gunnin’ was in my rearview mirror,
Road to redemption looking nearer.
But my ex-old lady’d phoned me up needing urgent help,
God forgive me I wasn’t there, see man, I was busy saving myself.
She’s now dead, forever gone.
Bad men I once rode with, they did her ohhh so wrong. Yeah.
Temptation’s kicking at my knees.
Sure as Hell, I’ll never turn the other cheek.
Oh God above, help me please.
Aw fxxx it.
(Chorus)
Cuz I’m an outlaw.
Come Hell or high water,
Never want to see that self again.
In a bone yard dead and buried,
But lifted by the grace of heaven’s hand.
Left the life of a sinner…Hell, I was the devil, man.
I sought forgiveness.
Now I am judgement.
Watch out.
I’m a goddamned preacher man.
Did a dose of Thirteen, I one-kicked my iron horse.
Where they’d be hiding, well shit. That I knew of course.
Through leather cuts, palms and pits profuse with sweat,
Old club colors and dew rag wet.
Pony tail flying in the wind,
This one percenter high-throttling back to a life of sin.
Yeah.
My resolve was firm,
Hands on ape hangers couldn’t be higher.
I had come so far for His truth,
But drivin’ back to Hell beyond my tires.
I didn’t have to ride my Fat Boy too far,
Found them drunk laughing in a shit town bar.
Did what I was aiming to do,
Pulled both pistols, dropped one then two.
Why’d I do it?
(Chorus)
I stepped up where wounded they both lay,
Didn’t know exactly what to say.
They begged and began to pray.
Sorry boys. I’m not that man today.
You see what you took from me,
Was my ex-old lady and Calvary tree.
I’d dropped my hog and guns for the good book,
Hung my helmet on a hook.
And I’m afraid you have to pay.
Aces and eights now where you lay.
A back door gunner doing his sweep.
You knew I’d play for keeps.
(Chorus)
I see I’d sealed my fate,
Bought fire and brimstone sold the pearly gates.
Hell and high water rose to me,
Back to the OMG, no longer free.
Cuz I’m an outlaw and a devil,
A dirty rotten fella.
Just killed and buried me a preacher man.
Goddamn.
My folks they hate my girlfriend
Sayin' she’ll never be family
Serves her free time in jail
Gets all of her mail
Sent to the penitentiary
Her neck and arms are full
Of battle scars and tattoos
Knuckles inked with another man’s name
She never says what she's been through
But I love her just the same
Chorus:
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me laugh like I never laughed so hard
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But
She sees me
She gets me
Makes me gushy when she's by my side
We're at a bar one night toasting her release
Tempting fate but not the police
A dark stranger struts in
Bellies up for a drink
Says some shit and sends mean eye-stink
I try to pay him no mind
But soon he's crossed a line
I'm getting ready to throw down hands
I'm scared as hell, my fear he can smell
But for my snaggletooth love, I'll take a stand
(Chorus)
He laughed aloud
Threw his drink way back
Held his smile and then gave me a wink
Said his name was right there inked on her shaking hand
I was talking to her ex named “Dink”
I turned my head in a whirl
Saw a scared look on my girl
Choking back a lifetime of tears
She said I had no chance against him
He'll tear me limb from limb
Then she whispered these words to me
(Modified Chorus)
You see me
Defend me
Make me laugh like I never laughed so hard
I got a long snaggletooth
My hairs not brushed
My ass, big as a double wide
I got a knockout punch
Pee on a stump
Illegal carry’s a .45
But step away my love
Or I'll give you a shove
I do best on the inside
She reached behind her back
Squeezed up the trigger slack
I watched him fall back in a poof of pink
I saw the barrel smoke
He dropped his Crown and coke
And that was the end of Dink
So now I see her
She sees me
We laugh like we never laughed so hard
She loves me
I love her
And forty to life don't seem that far
She’s got a long snaggletooth
Her hairs not brushed
Her ass, big as a double wide
She’s got a knockout punch
Pees on a stump
Unlawful carry’s a .45
But
She still sees me
I ain't never been fishing
Never even shot a gun
Don't have a Yeti
But just like you
My neck get's red from the sun
Don't have a green tractor
Don't even own a truck
So you can say I'm not country
But I don't give a buck
Chorus
Cuz I wear cowboy boots
Love shady trees
Live my life like you, fast and free
I have the flag in my heart
Wear it on my sleeve
I just live in the concrete country
Yeah, I live in the concrete country
Your silver grain silo
Is my city office space
Your 4-wheel ATV's are
My subway rat race
Kegs in a timber are
My martini bar drinks
And your milk cow stalls
Are my skateboard rinks
(Chorus)
Don’t chew tobacco or know how it's spat
I had a dog once, just bought a hairless cat
I may not walk beans or bow hunt game
But if you're heart is country, ain't we kinfolk just the same
And if you say I'm not country unless I can call a duck
Two-step your ass on home, cuz' I don't give a buck
(Chorus)
In my dark mind, evil men and monsters creep,
A music outlaw rides, nothing hiding no secrets to keep.
A writer with a demon's pen. Thoughts searing my head.
Spewing the spat of flak and hot damn lead.
Stacking bodies from page one with my words.
A crow like HARDY. No respect for lyrical mockingbirds.
Got no taste for bubble gum country,
Spit it out, stick it under my chair.
Dark country is a place for hard men, poetic combatants
A song soldier cursed with a thousand-yard stare.
Bro club on Broadway, song girlfriend on their arm. You're no threat.
She hears southern rap, licks her lips, feels hot. I make her sweat.
Welcome to the black
Burns your throat and your mind like a shot of
Jose, Jim, Johnny, or Jack.
This lone wolf coming through the fast track,
Stepping away from the pack.
Dead of the night still writing, a defiant stand
Doling justice or vengeance, fate in my hand.
Summer and sunshine all get shred,
Create a trail of shady, lingering sense of dread.
Welcome to the black.
This is a place where outlaws roam.
In a house of sorrows, I built my home.
Crack of the morning light, still no writer's block.
Twists and turns, try to leave you shocked.
Can't take the credit.
You've heard it or read it.
Johnny Cash and A Boy Named Sue.
A lot of people wanted something new—like you.
Garth Brooks shook the clouds till the Thunder Rolled.
Thomas Rhett's Death Row, "trembling hands," genius, solid gold.
Willie's Red Headed Stranger,
All these artists not talking teeny beach parties.
We're talking real danger.
Welcome to the black
Like a last meal, radio may hail my executioner’s call.
Face a death sentence for giving it all.
Of pain endured, bad guys, killers, revenge gone wrong.
Whispering stories of deeds in a backwood folk song.
A devil in the night ripping words and conventions apart from the songbird packs.
In the dark country where life meets despair,
This lone wolf leaves a legacy of twisted tales, fear, and nightmares.
Hey top ten country music, I ain’t just talking smack.
Welcome to the Black.
WHEN ME WAS YOU
By J.T. Patten
When the road you're travelin' feels all damn wrong
But you've gone way too far to turn yourself around
And you take what's left...yet it still ain’t right for you
Now you're lost. You try to think. With your heart. What to do
Question your emotional sense of direction
It's the same highway stretch
You've been on once again
Go too slow, too fast. Toward an unknown destination
And you're afraid to take a chance. Or get lost. From yourself
To be alone with just you and your reflection
Let’s take a long hard look
In the mirror at who you are
At the me that you've become
What the world sees in you
Do you even know yourself
And trust you like I do
Chorus:
I've been here and I've been there
Not as your heart but as your head
The way things were when I once lead
Before you ignored me
Take your hands off the wheel
I know exactly how you feel
Sit near me
Let's go I'll set you free
You and me, to become
The me you want to be
The me you want to be
Who you want to be
Back to you and me
Back when me was you
So, this time it’s for real
Against all that you feel
It's not what I think
What I know, just trust me
I know how
Don't second guess
Let's do what's best
Do you still trust me
Oh can I break free?
Be who I want to be?
What's my destiny?
In a world that has never seen me for being anything...but me
Am I that strong?
Could I be wrong?
Part from your propped up pride
Fly from the falling flock
Pull back from the pack
Get your old life back
Trust in yourself
Make your own luck
Be a lone wolf
Your goddamn own wolf
Even if you cry with a lonely moon
Because
I've been here and I've been there
Not as your heart but as your head
The way things were when I once lead
Before you ignored me
Take your hands off the wheel
I know exactly how you feel
Sit near me
Let's go I'll set you free
You and me, to become
The me you want to be
The me you want to be
Who you want to be
Back to you and me
Back when me was you
Just one of us, not two
When me was you
Like when me was you
When me was you
When me was youu
When me was youuu
Back when me was you
Back when you were you
Dark Country rock specialty writer; Best Selling Horror and Dark Fiction Author. I find the overlap of darkness and dread between my lyrics and novels create a fresh approach to what I call "Throat Kick" Country. Formerly a ghost writer of lyrics used by a popular country artist.
Note: All lyrics are available in parts or as collaboration, please contact us for customization and partnership to ensure your artist’s authentic voice resonates.
Living in one of the safest towns in America, J.T. Patten's story lines are anything but safe. An Amazon #1 best seller across over eight categories in Horror, Thriller, and Suspense, his dark fiction novels and novellas have received MUST READ praise and five-star ratings from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, BookList, Reedsy, and more. He is an active member of the Horror Writers Association, International Thriller Writers, and Nashville Song Writers Association. His initial best-selling works have gained acclaim for their "blacker than black"
ooding narrative that illuminate the blurred lines in life and twist traditional tropes on their head. A former intelligence professional and special mission advisor, he has seen the best and worst of humanity; an inescapable reality of light, darkness, and all things grey that find their way to his pages.
He has a degree in Foreign Language, a Masters in Strategic Intelligence, graduate studies in Counter Terrorism from the University of St. Andrews.