A Sad Country Song

A Sad Country Song
In this prison yard I keep in shape
by John Farrow
And one of these days I'll be out that gate.

With every lap I run I just have to smile,

Running is very popular in the
I'll get back to Boston, 98 laps to the mile.
South, certainly helped by the 1996

Olympics in Atlanta. And with the
I've got to get back to Boston
increasing popularity of country music these

That's where I want to be.
days, it's not surprising that some country
Lord knows that I've paid my debt
music song-writers are runners themselves.
to
society.

Of course, the traditional country
But these prison walls
song is a sad song, whether it's about love or

They won't let me go.
lust or cheating or drinking or running. And
I've got to get back to Boston
every good country song has to deal with the

but the parole board still says no.
important aspects of everyday life in the

South, like Momma, trains, heartache,
ARR News, July 1997
prison and pick-up trucks.
Albuquerque Road Runners Club

Here are the lyrics of one such sad
country song about a down and out runner,
soon to be recorded in Nashville by none
other than the venerable Lounge Lizards.

The Parole Board Still Says No

I used to put in the miles day by day
Doing fartleks on the Lost Highway.
That old freight train would be rolling home
And I'd listen to old George Jones.

There was a time when the world was mine
Running in Boston, Chicago and Caroline.
I'd sure like to be in Texas, don't you know,
But I'd settle for El Paso.

I've got to get back to Boston

That's where I want to be.
Lord knows that I've paid my debt
to
society.
But these prison walls

They won't let me go.
I've got to get back to Boston

but the parole board still says no.

Momma came to see me, brought a Moon
Pie.
Said everything's fine with tears in her eyes.
Oh, Marylou, she ran off with the truck,
Sold your Elvis on velvet for a buck.

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