The Ballad of Charlie Ward

by The Arkham Hillbilly

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about

This here's a bluegrass take on H.P. Lovecraft's The Ballad of Charles Dexter Ward. Down in the Miskatonic Valley, we just called him Charlie.

lyrics

Gather round me, people, and listen to a tale
To make the old folks quiver, and make the young’uns quail
Shake hands with yer neighbor, and let the drinks be poured
As I tell you the story of poor old Charlie Ward

Charlie was a good boy, there can’t be any doubt
His people said about him, he knows what he’s about
He looked after his mother, he never cut the cord
And that is to the credit of good old Charlie Ward

But Charlie had a kinsman, from some past century
His name was Joseph Curwen, a scallywag was he
He practiced necromancy for personal reward
His story caught the fancy of our boy Charlie Ward

Old Joseph and his cronies had found out all the means
To make the dead start gabbin’, the dust to spill the beans
With just a pinch of salt he raised up an undead horde
With dire consequences for our pal Charlie Ward

In Providence they did not think highly of this plan
They loaded up their muskets and went to see the man
One dark night in Pawtuxet, they put him to the sword
That great-great-great grandfather of future Charlie Ward

Though Curwen was a goner, his evil soul lived on
Just seekin’ a descendant that it could seize upon
And put some bad ideas in that poor person’s gourd
I’m sad to say that victim was our man Charlie Ward

In researchin’ his forbear, young Charlie chanced to find
A portrait of Joe Curwen, that really blew his mind
Because that picture featured, when it had been restored,
The very spittin’ image of our friend Charlie Ward

Now Charlie started messin’ with things you shouldn’t do
Like diggin’ up cadavers, and talkin’ with ‘em too
This kind of lapse in manners could not long be ignored
So off into the bughouse went nutty Charlie Ward

‘Till one day old Doc Willett, who’d worked the whole thing out
Squared off with the imposter, who gave an awful shout
When Yog-Sothoth was summoned, it came of its accord
And melted Joseph Curwen, the ersatz Charlie Ward

Cuz there’s one rule to follow, the wizards all allow
If you can’t put it down, son, don’t call it up no how
Doc Willett had outwitted the villain he deplored
And buried what was left of unlucky Charlie Ward

The moral of the story is let the bygones be
Be careful with your chantin’, cuz power don’t come free
Most of all be grateful, give thanks unto the lord
That I have finally finished the Ballad of Charlie Ward

credits

released April 2, 2021
The Arkham Hillbilly - Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Matt Redman - Banjo, Mandolin and Double Bass

Lyrics and Music by Darcy Sullivan

(C) 2020 Darcy Sullivan

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The Arkham Hillbilly image

The Arkham Hillbilly London, UK

Straight outta the Miskatonic Valley, I travel the west with my six-string in one hand and the Necronomicon in the other. With my band The Nashville Shamblers, I sing eldritch country songs. Official Member - Grand Ole Ones Opry!

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