Story Behind The Song

I am from Arkansas originally and love the Ozark Mts. I have always loved a good outlaw tale, where the outlaw is the hero. So I thought I would write one.

Song Description

A song about an Ozark farm family who runs on hard times. The bank is less than sympathetic and about to repossess his farm. The father burns down the barn and everything in it, rather than let the bank have it and he becomes an outlaw hiding out in the hills of the OZARKS. They never catch him and he just disappears, but he becomes a legend and a hero to his family and the common folk.

Lyrics

The Ballad Of Frank Dean Scott Aycock
Copyright 2000

Frank Dean he loved his family
Wouldn?t let ?em come to harm.
When the bank came to take his last milk cow
Well he burned down the barn.

CHORUS --
It?s hard times in the ozarks
For a man to make a stand.
The crops is all but dried up
And the bank is a?takin? the land.

Frank Dean he was a proud man
Wouldn?t go down without a fight.
Sent his wife and kids to his sister?s home,
Said don?t wait up for me tonight.

-- CHORUS --
He set out across stone county
Up in the hills where he was raised
Land he knew like the back of his hand.
He?d hide out in its caves.

The sheriff tracked him to his whiskey still
And he turned loose the hounds.
They caught a fresh scent by the old saw mill
And the dogs made a terrible sound.

__ CHORUS __
By the time the sheriff got there
The dogs was half-way to the town.
They searched all through stone county,
Frank Dean could not be found.

Some say he lives in a cave somewhere,
Others say he?s dust and bone.
Trappers say he lives with the bears,
While most say he?s just long gone.

__ CHORUS __
Well it's hard times in the Ozarks
For a man to take a stand
The crops is all but dried up
And the bank is'a takin' the land.

His wife never seen hide nor hair
Since the day that he sent her away.
But some nights when the moon is full
And the hounds begin to bay
She can almost feel him watching her
And she bows her head to pray,
Oh Lord he is a good man
Despite what some may say.
Watch over him where ere? he is
Let us meet again some day.

WATER DRIPPING
Scott Aycock 8/16/98
Copyright 2000

CHORUS
Water dripping in the sink.
Water dripping in the sink.
I Can?t even hear myself sleep.
I can?t even dream what I think.
With that water, dripping in the sink.

Mama said now boy stop and think.
Before you drink what you reap.
The world can be as good as you please.
Or bring you right down to your knees.
Down to your knees.

I paid no never mind to her words.
Sewed all my seeds to the birds.
I played all my cards, I showed my hand.
Left me as empty as a song in the wind,
In the wind.

-CHORUS-
Water dripping in the sink.
Water dripping in the sink.
I Can?t even hear myself sleep.
I can?t even dream what I think.
With that water, dripping in the sink.

Spent some time in jails across the state.
Drying out from all the booze and hate.
Still I never dreamed it would end this way.
Thought I?d always see the light of day,
The light of day.

Robbed a liquor store with Jim my friend.
Never a soul to harm did we intend.
But after all was said and done.
A man lie dying in his blood.
In his blood.

-CHORUS-
Water dripping in the sink.
Water dripping in the sink.
I Can?t even hear myself sleep.
I can?t even dream what I think.
With that water, dripping in the sink.

I lie down in this dark and lonely cell.
Wondering if this could be hell.
Pray to God I might just get some sleep
Dream I?m the water in the sink,
In the sink.

Down the drain into the rusty pipe.
Darker than the souls darkest night.
I cry for mercy in my sleep.
Wake up to the sound of water... Dripping in the sink

-CHORUS-
Water dripping in the sink.
Water dripping in the sink
Like a fountain washing over me.
A deep abiding well of everlasting peace, everlasting peace.