Deadwood
Nanci Griffith · Other Songs - Nanci Griffith
From the lungs of the young men
In a Deadwood saloon, South Dakota afternoon
And the old ones by the door with their heads to their chests
They told lies about whiskey on a woman's breath
Yes, and some tell the story of young Mickey Free
Who lost an eye to a buck deer in the Tongue River Valley
Oh and some tell the story of California Joe
Who sent word through the Black Hills
'There was a mountain of gold'
And the gold she lay cold in their pockets
And the sun she sets down on the trees
And they thank the Lord for the land that they live in
Where the white man does as he pleases
Some flat shoed fool from the East comes a runnin'
With some news that he'd read in some St. Joseph paper
And it was "Drinks all around" 'cause the news he was tellin'
Was the one they called Crazy
Had been caught and been dealt with
And the Easterner he read the news from the paper
And the old ones gathered closer so's they could hear better
"And it says here that Crazy Horse was killed
While he was trying to escape
And it was some time last September and it don't give the exact date"
And the gold she lay cold in their pockets
And the sun she sets down on the trees
And they thank the Lord for the land that they live in
Where the white man does as he pleases
Where the white man does as he pleases
Then the talk turned back to whiskey and women
And cold nights on the plains, Lord, and fightin' those Indians
And the Easterner he says he'll have one more 'fore he goes
He gives the paper to the Crow boy
Who sweeps up the floor
And the gold still lay cold in their pockets
And the sun still sets down on their trees
And they thank the Lord for the land that they live in
Where the white man does as he pleases
Where the white man does as he pleases
Where the white man does as he pleases
As he wants to, as he pleases
Deadwood - Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith's "Deadwood" stands as a poignant exploration of the American West, blending her signature acoustic storytelling with the atmospheric textures of her later work. Recorded during a period where Griffith expanded her sonic palette beyond traditional folk, the track captures the desolation and resilience often associated with the frontier. The song reflects her deep engagement with regional history and the human condition, utilizing sparse instrumentation to highlight lyrical clarity. As part of her broader discography, "Deadwood" exemplifies Griffith's ability to weave personal narrative with broader cultural themes, creating a recording that resonates with listeners seeking authenticity and emotional depth in her music.