From the recording Fresh Blood / Old Skin
Lyrics
13) Ashes ‘n Dust – m.litton
So you’ve heard all about them barroom battles
Fought with blades ‘n guns
Over some black-eyed Gypsy beauty
Raped by a rambler’s love
Well I know the ash ‘n dust of life won’t change just because
Some roadhouse poet sings a song of lust ‘n blood
But through the rights of passage he would travel
Once he came of age
And to many a lonely queen of hearts
He played his black-jack ace
He kept his dagger hidden by the smile on his face
He soon forgot his father’s words
And the promise he had made
“Son, don’t get caught in the trap the harlot in black sets for you
“Death she will bait us if we let her, saying, “Let us be true…’
“You’ll not escape her, don’t embrace her
“Promise never to make the first move
“We’ll each possess her one day forever all too soon
“Now you may think life is a river that never runs dry
“And passion is a fire reaching the sky
“But through the mist of the water
“And through the smoke of the flame
“Ashes ‘n dust and old memories of are all that remain…”
As it came to pass he found the rose he’d pictured in his mind
Their love was like a dream that happened once upon a time
They laid beside the river beneath the moonlit night
Not caring for a moment that she was another’s bride
But then the hand of vengeance cast his shadow
Across the path they walked
The only warning given was a hammer being cocked
The bullets blazed burning deep into their flesh
Their bodies embraced in the agony of death
And though the nigh grows still the wind never will
Reveal one word from their dream
The lovers lie buried on the bank by the river
Together forever they sleep
“Now you may think life is a river that never runs dry
“And passion is a fire reaching the sky
“But through the mist of the water
“And through the smoke of the flame
“Ashes ‘n dust and old memories of are all that remain…”