PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase The Ghost of Abilene

Libby Thompson, an (in)famous Old West Madame. This song is based on her real life story.

https://soundcloud.com/user-618393096/the-ghost-of-abilene

In a neighborhood on the city's south side
The Hour Glass bar is a working man's dive
Serving beer and whiskey since it was a cattle town
There's those that say that it's the oldest watering hole around
Now if you go inside when October winds blow cold
Across the northern plains bringing down Dakota snow
Look into the shadow in the corner by the stairs
You just might see her sitting on her purple velvet chair

She'll look a little out of place and a little out of time
You might even think that she's misplaced a little of her mind
She'll be all gussied up like a dance hall queen
She's the Ghost of Abilene

Libby is her name, plantation born and raised
But all of the was changed by that Comanche raid
Ransom brought her home but it couldn't clean the stain
Her parents were convinced that she had shamed the family name
Libby found herself a man she thought that she would wed
Her daddy disapproved so much he shot that fella' dead
So Libby up and ran away when she was just fourteen
Drifted north across the plains, ended up in Abilene

They called her Squirrel Tooth Alice
She kept prairie dogs for pets
And she earned a reputation
That once wronged she'd ne'er forget
She ran a house that sold cheap thrills
Was know to brag about her skills
Entertaining famous men
Like Hickock, Hardin and Masterson

Libby passed away at the age of ninety-three
Spent her final years drifting 'mongst her family
They put her in the ground but she couldn't find no rest
She drifted back across the plains to the place she knew the best
So when those early winter winds put snow upon the ground
Go on in the Hour Glass and have a look around
She'll be sitting in the shadows where she's flirting with the light
They say her spirit walks again on them cold October nights

She'll look a little out of place and a little out of time
You might even think that she's misplaced a little of her mind
She'll be all gussied up like a dance hall queen
She's the Ghost of Abilene

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Untitled Song
File:ghostv2.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 94, Length (m:s)=3:40
No intro. 83 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 83. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 798 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Soloist track has 1347 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Tempo, Time signature,Volume Changes,RealDrums Changes,
Style is _HDBEV85.STY (Simple Country w/ Held Bass)

RealTracks in style: ~2474:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~598:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 2668:Pedal Steel, Background WestCoastBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3164:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopSteady8thsCleanBrent Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 1305:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReel Ev16 110 (Drones only)
RealTracks in song: 3163:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopSteady8thsBrent Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 3069:Multi[Simultaneous=2] VocalOohs, VocalOohs,
RealTracks in song: 2533:Guitar, Acoustic, HeldChords
RealDrums in Song:NashBrushBalDbKEv16^1-a: Snare, HiHat , b: QuarterHat, TripletSnare

*******************

Redeye,

Great story and a great song. Loved your vocal and enjoyed the song.

Bob

Hi Redeye ...

I always look forward to a new post from you. And this one is a true ace.

My best friend lived in Abilene for many years. I've been there only once.

I love the raw sincerity in your vocals. You remind me a bit of the late Box Car Willey. That was a very enjoyable listen - thanks!

Alan

Hullo Redeye.
I love a true life story song.
This is a good write.
Vocally there are a few phrasing issues which could be addressed if you were so inclined but we still get the message.

Good one.

Vic

Excellent story song. Great use of the band also. Thanks for putting up the lyrics, it's a great story/song and should be heard. It would make a great lyric video with still photos augmenting the story. Thanks for posting.
Rick

Ok,

Back to back storytelling classics by you and Vic in the same week.

This is outstanding.

Wonderful, wonderful lyrics and a great job on the production.

Welcome to the forum. I am really glad you joined.

You've created a complete story the shows Libby well. Excellent choice for instrumentation.

Interesting story, well told and sung.

A story well told and well produced...you married an interesting folklore tale to a masterful, folk style melody...well done...great band...very enjoyable!

Redeye, you captured her story perfectly in this song.

Everything about this one is top shelf.
Great vocal, backing tracks, and mix.

Thanks all. I've been offline more than on for the past couple of weeks. And probably the next couple of weeks as well...