#133 UNTIL THE SETTING SUN
#133 UNTIL THE SETTING SUN
(Americana)
(DEMO)
(Full Arrangement)
My kid brother thought he was a real gangster,
But he lacked the cold eye and the spine.
So my father went and put me in charge,
They said "A girl?" Dad laughed -- "About damn time!"
Connor took the news with next to zero fuss,
Kept working his crews with purpose -- almost joy.
We all thought he might up and surprise us,
'Til the fool went and head-shot Declan's youngest boy.
Word came down Declan wasn't ready for a war,
But made it clear he's showing Connor the door.
"Walk the streets of this town? That time is done."
He says "He gets to stay until the setting sun."
All Connor says to explain -- "He looked at me wrong."
Brotherly love costs more when your brother's a fool.
He's eating fries slathered in mustard, the clock ticks,
Each minute -- less options on how I might rule.
Hear Declan wants a face to face in an hour,
Tell Connor head to the safe house, hold steady and wait.
Mustard on his shirt -- we lock eyes, he says "Sorry."
I nod, don't tell him most likely too little, too late.
Declan yells "Your bastard brother? Gone before tonight!"
Hands pressed hard into the table, fingertips white.
"Kill my son, still get to sell in this town? Not done."
He says "He gets to breathe until the setting sun."
Declan chugs a Red Bull -- sits back as we parley,
I take a slow breath -- best be careful when I speak.
Look out the window, review every Connor path,
He stays safe and alive? Hard to find in the math.
Declan leans forward, eyes bright from his drink,
Things to say before he learns what I think.
He says "Eat a meal, have a dance... In this town? He's done."
I hold up a finger -- Connor's paths down to one,
I say "He lives -- but only until the setting sun."
I've run the shop now for twenty six years,
Time for hard choices is no time for tears.
No-one dared ever ask why I let my brother die,
They all know I've got the spine and cold eye.