The Contrary and Restin’ Song
Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
Verse 1
I lay in bed with my guitar, a blank page in my hand,
But every time I try to write, I just sink in the sand.
The cows are out there grazing, the sun is sinking low,
But here I am just sittin’, with nothin’ left to show.
Chorus 1
They say Merle did it this way, wrote in bed with a bottle in his hand,
But all I’ve got is a quilt, and I ain’t even got a band.
I guess I’ll keep on restin’, ain’t no song coming through,
Merle might’ve had it figured, but I ain’t got a clue.
Verse 2
The tractor’s in the barn, and the fields need to be plowed,
But the only thing I’m working on is resting on this cloud.
My pen’s run out of ink, and my brain’s a little dry,
I wonder how ol’ Hank did it, with his weary sigh.
Chorus 2
They say Hank did it this way, with a tear and a pill,
But all I’ve got is crickets, and the night feels so long.
I guess I’ll keep on waitin’, for that spark to light,
Hank might’ve found his rhythm, but I’m stuck and not too bright.
Verse 3
The barn owl’s hootin’ softly, the moon’s takin’ its place,
And here I am just thinkin’, ’bout the time I’ve let waste.
The words, they should be flowin’, like the river down the bend,
But Willie must’ve known a trick that I just can’t comprehend.
Chorus 3
They say Willie did it this way, with a joint and a grin,
But all I’ve got’s a pillow, and the weight of my sin.
I guess I’ll keep on dreamin’, ’bout the words I should write,
Willie found his way to write it, but I’m lost in the night.
Outro
I wish I knew how Tom T. Hall did it, but I’m too damn lazy to look it up,
I’ll write, maybe later, when the coffee’s hot enough.
Till then, I’ll be restin’, in this contrarian kinda way,
Maybe tomorrow, I’ll find the words, but tonight, I’ll just lay.
Observations for Country Western Songwriters
- The Chorus Conundrum:
- “Why does the chorus always come easy when you’re washing dishes but disappear the moment you sit down with your guitar?”
- Explanation: There’s nothing quite like the irony of songwriting inspiration striking at the least convenient times. Cowboys might be out mending fences or fixing a busted tractor, and suddenly, the perfect line hits—only to vanish by the time they’re back in front of their notebook.
- The Rhyme Time Blues:
- “Who knew that finding a rhyme for ‘heartbreak’ could break your heart even more?”
- Explanation: It’s as if the English language runs out of words when you need them most. For cowboys, who deal with real heartache and hard times, trying to squeeze those big emotions into a tidy rhyme scheme can feel downright impossible.
- The Procrastination Waltz:
- “Why write lyrics now when you could ponder the meaning of life while staring at a tumbleweed?”
- Explanation: Procrastination is a well-known friend of the songwriter. Cowboys, known for their laid-back nature, might just find themselves contemplating everything but their next line—especially when a good sunset or a cold beer is calling.
- The Recycled Heartache:
- “When every song feels like ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’ but with a different name, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
- Explanation: Songwriters often joke about writing the same song over and over. For a cowboy, whose life might revolve around a few simple truths—like love lost and miles traveled—it can be tough to find a fresh take on age-old themes.
- The Endless Search for Authenticity:
- “Nothing says ‘authentic cowboy ballad’ like Googling ‘How to sound more country in your lyrics.’”
- Explanation: In a world where authenticity is king, the struggle to keep it real is real. Cowboys pride themselves on being true to their roots, but even they might find themselves needing a little help from the internet to make sure their songs don’t sound too cliché.
Writer’s Block and Pain for Cowboys
Writer’s Block: For a cowboy songwriter, writer’s block can feel like staring at an empty field waiting for rain that never comes. It’s that frustrating moment when the well of inspiration runs dry, and no matter how hard you dig, you can’t find the words. It’s like trying to rope a wild stallion that just won’t be caught; the ideas buck and twist, but nothing seems to stick.
Pain for Cowboys: Cowboys are no strangers to pain—whether it’s physical, from long days in the saddle, or emotional, from the loneliness of the open range. When it comes to writing, this pain seeps into every word. It’s the ache of missing someone you love, the sting of betrayal, or the quiet sorrow of watching the sun set on another day. For a cowboy, pain isn’t just a theme in their songs—it’s the melody, the rhythm, and the soul of their music. Writing about it can be both cathartic and excruciating, as they try to capture the depth of their experience in words that might never fully do it justice. 
