I bought a used guitar from the 70's that used to belong to someone in the central valley and I wrote this song on the guitar when I brought the guitar home.
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Mixed by Marc Maynon
Mastered by Nathan at Matrix Audio
Personel:
Marc Maynon - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Percussion
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A black prohibitionist named Leonard Lawrence is out in Missouri on business doing deals with other prohibitionists selling corn whiskey out of carboys. On the way back home to Bronzeville, in Chicago, Leo is pursued by a bounty hunter with the nick name "Top Hat" for his particularly filthy disheveled appearance. Leo is eventually cornered in a barn and the song goes on to recount how "Top Hat" Rodgers tracked Leo down investigating Leo's native state of Illinois. Top Hat talks to the famous Jewish prohibitionist Charles Birger. Charlie gives up no information regarding Leo. Charlie is at war with the KKK and knows "Top Hat" shares the same views as them. Next Top Hat finds Leo's girlfriend in Bronzeville. She claims she has no idea where Leo is. In truth, she received a letter from him saying they'd escape to California within the coming days. Top Hat, still hot on Leo's trail, eventually finds Leo hiding in a barn in Saint Clair county. Mercilessly Top Hat burns the barn down that Leo is trapped in, desiring Leo's death more so than the bounty. Though the story seems over, others report to have seen Leo on a a river boat in Mississippi, still dressed elegantly in his usual way and full of life and good humor. And so it is that the spirit of a strong people can never be crushed, no matter the persecution they face and when the people of the law/government become the oppressors, integrity and true moral values will spring in the hearts of those we would deem criminals, like Charlie Birger. Truth, equality and justice will always find a way - will always prevail.
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Out in a barn in Saint Clair County
Ol' Top Hat Rodgers is on a bounty
He's looking for a man about yay high
Who's been selling dame jeannes of Missouri corn whiskey
"No. I don't think I've seen him. Maybe he's on up the road.
Oh now but Leo Leo, Man, you'd better move down the line"
Now Top Hat went to talk to Charlie Birger.
He said "In your time e'er you employed this boy?"
He said "No Sir I have not, but even if I did,
Do you think I'd give him up? He sounds like
a big cheese kid - So no. I don't think I've seen him,
Maybe he's on up the road.
Oh now but Leo Leo, Man, you'd better move down the line"
Now Leo had a woman in the Bronzeville borough.
He said "Baby get ready, I'll be there tomorrow."
But by the time she packed her bags for Californai-yay
Top Hat was at her door. Here's what she had to say -
She said "No. I don't think I've seen him. Maybe he's on up the road.
Oh now but Leo Leo, Man, you'd better move down the line."
Now Leo was trapped behind an old barn door.
So Top Hat burned the barn down just to be sure.
But six months later on a Mississippi boat -
Somebody thought they saw a man wearing Leo's coat.
So no. I don't think I've seen him. Maybe he's on up the road.
Oh now but Leo Leo, Man, You'd better move down the line.
Yeah, Leo Leo Man, you'd better move down the line."
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