Adam’s friend Ed Payson learned too late that you can hang up your gun, but it won’t let you go. (A “Broken Ballad” recap in rhyme)

Rating: T  Word Count: 250

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Young Billy loved sweet Sally Cass

The store keeper’s daughter, a pretty lass

But in her eyes he was just a friend

Because she loved another

 

Old Will Cass was a bitter man

Whose son had died by a gunman’s hand

The hand of the man that Sally loved

The man who killed her brother

 

The law had ruled the fight was fair

But the grieving father didn’t care

He craved revenge for his reckless boy

Against the man returning

 

Ed Payson wore a gun no more

Young Dave’s death had vexed him sore

Forgiveness Will would not extend

Hate kept his anger burning

 

Befriended by a man in black

Ed went home to repair his shack

Adam brought supplies and more

Then Sally Cass came calling

 

She saw the good in a humble heart

He only wanted a brand new start

She baked biscuits; he sang a song

In love they soon were falling

 

Alas their love was not to be

Choked by rage and jealousy

A father blind and a suitor scorned

Would not stand idly by

 

Billy called him out; tossed him a gun

Ed had no choice but to fight or run

The lines were drawn with no way out

One man was doomed to die

 

Oh careless and impulsive youth

Too late he learns a bitter truth

You can hang up your gun but it won’t let you go

No matter how hard you try…

 

In the end, face down

in the dust you’ll lie.

 

“Broken Ballad” (Season 3, episode 6) was written by John T. Kelly