"And I know that Claire would run." Broke my heart for reasons I can't quite put my finger on, but it tugs at my soul no matter how many times I hear it.
Claire was the mayor’s daughter, Knees went weak when I saw her. We tussled for a summer , when I walked in on her and Clyde. And so she’d often wander, with every boy in Potter. Many suitors died with honor, in war between the states. And Clyde was a cavalry man, when he got home to him she ran. But he had eyes for western land, and left her behind. So Claire settled down, her husband moved her out of town. They tried to lay her past to rest, hung up those evening gowns. Now Jeremiah was a logger, we all knew he’s off his rocker. Thought Claire to be his lover, much to her surprise. Her children loved their mother, towards their father she grew fonder. Her hair just turned blonder, beauty stood the test of time. Then word got around, that Clyde was back in town. By way of Manifest Destiny, he’d gained himself renowned. In the year of ‘75, ten years after Lincoln died. Claire kissed the kids goodnight, snuck off to meet her old friend Clyde. Now Jeremiah saw that chance, his own twisted sick romance. Denying his advances, Claire was never seen alive. He hung for what he’d done, we caught him bloody with his gun. He never told us where she lay but I know that Claire would run. We never found that girl from Potter, who’d so often wander. Till more than a century later, a builder found her in the ground. Beneath the cranes of Potter, where Jeremiah shot her. There lies the mayors daughter, two feet down. Beneath the cranes of Potter, hair no longer blonder. Beneath the cranes of potter, in her finest evening gown.
Charles, you are such an underrated artist, your storytelling, voice, and the emotion you pour into your songs is gonna be appreciated by millions someday. I had the pleasure to listen to you live in Seattle a few months ago and your live performances are just as good as your studio recordings, and that's impressive. Can't wait to buy your next album too!
I was a Civil War reenactor as a kid. Don't laugh, it was some of the most fun I've ever had. But this seems like a song that could have been played around the campfire on one of those weekends.
Claire was the mayor's daughter, knees went weak when I saw her We tussled for a summer when I walked in on her and Clyde And so she'd often wander with every boy in Potter Many suitors died with honour in war between the states And Clyde was a cavalry man when he got home to him she ran But he had eyes for Western lands and left her behind So Claire settled down, her husband moved her out of town They tried to lay her past to rest, hung up those evening gowns Now Jeremiah was a logger we all knew he's off his rocker Thought Claire to be his lover, much to her surprise Her children loved their mother, towards their father she grew fonder Her hair just turned blonder, beauty stood the test of time Then word got around, that Clyde was back in town By a way of manifest destiny he had gained himself renown In the year seventy-five, ten years after Lincoln died Claire kissed the kids goodnight, snuck off to meet her old friend Clyde Now Jeremiah saw that chance, his own twisted sick romance Denying his advances Claire was never seen alive He hung for what he'd done, we caught him bloody with his gun He never told us where she lay, but I know that Claire would run We never found that girl from Potter, who'd so often wander Till more than a century later a builder found her in the ground Beneath the cranes of Potter, where Jeremiah shot her There lies the mayor's daughter, two feet down Beneath the cranes of Potter, hair no longer blonder Beneath the cranes of Potter, in her finest evening gown
Poor Claire now lays beneath a petrochemical cracker plant "the cranes of Potter" built, where toxic chemicals make plastic pellets there on the Ohio River. Somewhat less romantic than the song indicates... but... yeah. It's a nice song. Lets leave it at that.
That line "10 years after Lincoln Died" hit different. I don't know why, but I kept listening to it over and over.
This is already one of the best murder ballads I have ever heard. Thank you 🙌🏼
"And I know that Claire would run." Broke my heart for reasons I can't quite put my finger on, but it tugs at my soul no matter how many times I hear it.
Claire was the mayor’s daughter,
Knees went weak when I saw her.
We tussled for a summer ,
when I walked in on her and Clyde.
And so she’d often wander,
with every boy in Potter.
Many suitors died with honor,
in war between the states.
And Clyde was a cavalry man,
when he got home to him she ran.
But he had eyes for western land,
and left her behind.
So Claire settled down,
her husband moved her out of town.
They tried to lay her past to rest,
hung up those evening gowns.
Now Jeremiah was a logger,
we all knew he’s off his rocker.
Thought Claire to be his lover,
much to her surprise.
Her children loved their mother,
towards their father she grew fonder.
Her hair just turned blonder,
beauty stood the test of time.
Then word got around,
that Clyde was back in town.
By way of Manifest Destiny,
he’d gained himself renowned.
In the year of ‘75,
ten years after Lincoln died.
Claire kissed the kids goodnight,
snuck off to meet her old friend Clyde.
Now Jeremiah saw that chance,
his own twisted sick romance.
Denying his advances,
Claire was never seen alive.
He hung for what he’d done,
we caught him bloody with his gun.
He never told us where she lay
but I know that Claire would run.
We never found that girl from Potter,
who’d so often wander.
Till more than a century later,
a builder found her in the ground.
Beneath the cranes of Potter,
where Jeremiah shot her.
There lies the mayors daughter,
two feet down.
Beneath the cranes of Potter,
hair no longer blonder.
Beneath the cranes of potter,
in her finest evening gown.
Cannot believe more people arent listening to this song/album!!
Its my first time listening to this song and i think when i fix my guitar ill sing it to her
Well thank God this is finally on UA-cam! I haven't been able to find it other than going back on Facebook. One of my favorites!
Brilliant songwriting.
This is perhaps one of my favorite songs, it tells such an amazing story
Charles, you are such an underrated artist, your storytelling, voice, and the emotion you pour into your songs is gonna be appreciated by millions someday. I had the pleasure to listen to you live in Seattle a few months ago and your live performances are just as good as your studio recordings, and that's impressive. Can't wait to buy your next album too!
Absolutely stunning album! 🙏
I'm so thrilled you put this one on the album! I've always loved the live version.
Your voice is honestly a harmony to me it's amazing
Listening for the hundredth time. Still insane 🔥🔥🔥
Goosebumps.
You ought to do a song about The Greenbrier Ghost. You’re storytelling is awesome. Thank you sir
Awesome
Asome
Awesome*
❤
Epic story
Perfection
I was a Civil War reenactor as a kid. Don't laugh, it was some of the most fun I've ever had. But this seems like a song that could have been played around the campfire on one of those weekends.
Claire was the mayor's daughter, knees went weak when I saw her
We tussled for a summer when I walked in on her and Clyde
And so she'd often wander with every boy in Potter
Many suitors died with honour in war between the states
And Clyde was a cavalry man when he got home to him she ran
But he had eyes for Western lands and left her behind
So Claire settled down, her husband moved her out of town
They tried to lay her past to rest, hung up those evening gowns
Now Jeremiah was a logger we all knew he's off his rocker
Thought Claire to be his lover, much to her surprise
Her children loved their mother, towards their father she grew fonder
Her hair just turned blonder, beauty stood the test of time
Then word got around, that Clyde was back in town
By a way of manifest destiny he had gained himself renown
In the year seventy-five, ten years after Lincoln died
Claire kissed the kids goodnight, snuck off to meet her old friend Clyde
Now Jeremiah saw that chance, his own twisted sick romance
Denying his advances Claire was never seen alive
He hung for what he'd done, we caught him bloody with his gun
He never told us where she lay, but I know that Claire would run
We never found that girl from Potter, who'd so often wander
Till more than a century later a builder found her in the ground
Beneath the cranes of Potter, where Jeremiah shot her
There lies the mayor's daughter, two feet down
Beneath the cranes of Potter, hair no longer blonder
Beneath the cranes of Potter, in her finest evening gown
Poor Claire now lays beneath a petrochemical cracker plant "the cranes of Potter" built, where toxic chemicals make plastic pellets there on the Ohio River. Somewhat less romantic than the song indicates... but... yeah. It's a nice song. Lets leave it at that.