Fort Defiance

Lyrics

I cut my trail toward a warming light
from where the wild, true vastness grows
in hopes that I might find a home in somewhere worth settling
I saw him leaving from the law man's wife
and when he witnessed that I'd witnessed him he sought to claim my life
but in our bout his own blade caught him

In his blood he lay when the justice came
A lavish tale, she claimed that it was I who tried to touch her
and her savior was slain

I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
hammering these rusty nails of mine
and held within these walls of Louisiana
Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
Counting down my days until my time is done
and I'll be home to Marianna

The day is no different than the dawn within these sullen walls
No room has ever felt so much a tomb as where they keep me
They say,
"the weight falls heavy on, and grace won't find the man
who's got a heart for killing or another's faithful wife
and heaven will ignore my pleading"

The whole town came for to see my fate
How the verdict rang when they told me I'd be over by morning

Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
hammering these rusty nails of mine
and held within these walls of Louisiana
Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
Counting down my days until my time is done
and I'll be home to Marianna

Send her 48 letters over 48 months
I asked the warden if he'd send them after my own life was done
So my mother'd never worry
They say it doesn't hurt you, what you don't know...

Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine

Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
hammering these rusty nails of mine
and held within these walls of Louisiana
Momma, I'm fine
Momma, I'm fine
Counting down my days until my time is done
and I'll be home to Marianna