Rock Salt And Nails
Flatt And Scruggs · Other Songs - Flatt And Scruggs
By the banks of the river where the willows hang down
And the wild birds all warble with a low mourning sound
Down in the hollow where the water runs cold
It was there I first listened to the lies that you told
Now I lie on my bed and I see your sweet face
The past I remember time cannot erase
A letter you wrote me it was written in shame
And I know that your conscience still echoes my name
[ harmonica ]Now the nights are so long load sorrow unsteep
And nothing is worse than a night wothout sleep
I walk out alone and look at the sky too empty to say too lonesome to cry
If the ladies were blackbirds and the ladies were fishes
I'd lie there for hours in the chilly cold matches
If the ladies were squirrels with a high bushy tail
I'd fill up my shotgun with a rock salt and nails
And the wild birds all warble with a low mourning sound
Down in the hollow where the water runs cold
It was there I first listened to the lies that you told
Now I lie on my bed and I see your sweet face
The past I remember time cannot erase
A letter you wrote me it was written in shame
And I know that your conscience still echoes my name
[ harmonica ]Now the nights are so long load sorrow unsteep
And nothing is worse than a night wothout sleep
I walk out alone and look at the sky too empty to say too lonesome to cry
If the ladies were blackbirds and the ladies were fishes
I'd lie there for hours in the chilly cold matches
If the ladies were squirrels with a high bushy tail
I'd fill up my shotgun with a rock salt and nails
Rock Salt And Nails
Flatt and Scruggs' 'Rock Salt And Nails' stands as a quintessential example of bluegrass storytelling, blending traditional Appalachian balladry with the group's signature acoustic instrumentation. The track exemplifies the duo's mastery of the banjo and fiddle, delivering a narrative steeped in the hardships of rural life and the resilience of the common folk. Recorded during the height of their career, the song captures the raw emotional depth characteristic of their discography, offering listeners an authentic glimpse into the American folk tradition. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple yet powerful composition, which has become a staple in bluegrass repertoires worldwide.