Song Description
As song based on the true story of Nell, a highly educated horse breeder who dared to live in a wild mining town with out a man.
| Song Length |
3:28 |
Genre |
, Folk - Rural |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Gloomy, Cruel |
Subject |
Murder, Rape, Violence |
| Era |
1900 - 1920 |
| |
Lyrics
Four-Eyed Nell
Karmann Powell copyright 2011
Moment of Grace Music/ASCAP
Back in the 19th century
Arizona was a wild territory
Poland was an untamed mining town
A handsome woman came around
She brought her horses and her books
Her bottle thick glasses didn't hurt her looks
Her hair was red and her deep blue eyes
Could pierce your soul and see the lies
Four-Eye Nell you just can't tell
Friend or foe you just don't know
Turn your back on the wrong one
You're at the bad end of a gun
Men would drool to see her ride
They could only wish she was by their side
She didn't need any man
One broke her heart, to Poland she ran
Some one went looking when Nell was late
They found her by the ranchers gate
Body drenched by the rain
With 2 holes in the back of her brain
Four-Eyed Nell you just can't tell
Friend or foe you just don't know
Turn your back on the wrong one
Your at the band end of a gun
Well, the rancher owned the mine he was mayor, too
He was magistrate and he owned the saloon
The bar closed down to hold the inquest
Evidence heard the jury recessed
Two bullets in the brain in the back of Nell's head
Was the obvious cause of death
There was one fact no one could hide
Nell's untimely death.....
Was a suicide
Judgment made life went on
Nell's horses went to the ranchers son
No long after, the mine closed down
Poland became a very dead town
Four-Eyed Nell was buried deep
But her weary soul does not sleep
It is calmed by this ode
At least her story has been told
Four-Eyed Nell you just can't tell
Friend or foe you just don't know
Turn your back on the wrong one
You're at the bad end of a gun
Four-Eyed Nell you just can't tell
Friend or foe you just don't know
Turn your back on the wrong guy
Your murder becomes a suicide
No justice to be found
In an untamed mining town.